WHAT IS THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)?
What is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)? The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a representative democracy governed by elders elected from and by the congregation. Authority resides with the duly elected representatives of the congregation in the appointed church governing bodies. The local church governing body is the session. Local sessions oversee the day-to-day work of the church. The overall church structure is made up of four governing bodies: • Session or local governing body: ordained ministers (ministers of the Word and Sacrament) and elders, all elected by the congregation. • Presbytery: elders and ministers from congregations who oversee several churches in a designated geographical area i.e. Presbytery of Milwaukee • Synod: representatives elected from each presbytery to oversee several presbyteries i.e. Synod of Lakes and Prairies. • General Assembly: the national governing body made up of equal numbers of laypeople and clergy chosen by the presbyteries; they meet every othe
