FROM THE PCUSA BOOK OF ORDER:

The Church’s ministry is a gift from Jesus Christ to the whole Church. Christ alone rules, calls, teaches, and uses the Church as he wills, exercising his authority by the ministry of women and men for the establishment and extension of God’s new creation. Christ’s ministry is the foundation and standard for all ministry, the pattern of the one who came

“not to be served but to serve” (Matt. 20:28). 

The basic form of ministry is the ministry of the whole people of God, from whose midst some are called to ordered ministries. These are described in the New Testament and maintained by this church as deacons and elders.  Ordered ministries are gifts to the church to order its life so that the ministry of the whole people of God may flourish.

THE SESSION

The Session is our governing body which is comprised of 15 elders, and elected by the congregation to serve 3-year terms. These elders make the majority of decisions for the congregation, guided by the Scriptures and the PCUSA’s Constitution: the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order. The session is primarily responsible for the maintenance of worship, education, property, personnel, and the spiritual well-being of the congregation.

Elder is from the Greek word for elder, presbyteros, that our denomination derives its name. The history of this office is simple. Between 40 and 65 AD the Apostle Paul traveled the Mediterranean planted churches, helped them grow, and moved on. To make sure these churches had competent leadership, he would ordain groups of elders to oversee their spiritual and physical needs. Still adhering to this tradition, our congregation elects 5 new ruling elders each year to join the session.

THE DIACONATE