If you are thinking about joining any group or organization then it is important to have some idea of what the group is on about - the way it works and the things it stands for. Here is a brief outline of the Presbyterian denomination:

History

The Presbyterian denomination has its roots in the Reformation in Europe in the 1500's and Scotland in the 1600's. Prior to the Reformation there was one church in Western Europe, the Roman Catholic Church. Throughout the whole of Europe people began to react against what the Catholic Church was teaching and the way it wielded power. In Scotland, the church got right back to basics. They started a very simple church with a strong commitment to the Bible and moving away from the idea of power being vested in one man (the Pope overall, the priest in each parish). In Australia in 1977, about half the congregations in the Presbyterian denomination voted to leave and form a new denomination called the Uniting Church (combining with some Methodist and Congregational Churches). Those who decided to remain did so for various reasons. One of the major concerns being that the Uniting Church did not seem to have the same commitment to the authority of the Bible.

Theology

Along with other Reformation churches the reformers in Scotland adopted the motto: "Faith alone, Christ alone, Scripture alone". They also drew up a "statement of faith" that outlines the important beliefs of the Christian faith. This document is called the "Westminster Confession" (drawn up after the Reformation in the 1640's). In 1901 when the PCA was formed it adopted a statement called the "Basis of Union". The Basis of Union qualifies the way in which the WCF is understood with a Declaratory Statement that states that ministers are not required to hold to "non-essential" doctrines in WCF, while at the same time the Declaratory Statement affirms and explains the key doctrines of the reformed faith. Ministers and elders (but not members) are required to assent to "the WCF read in the light of the Declaratory Statement". However the Declaratory Statement and the Westminster Confession itself recognizes that the only authority over Christians and what they believe is God's Word (the Bible). Members are not required to agree to a doctrinal statement, only that you know and love the Lord Jesus. Elders and pastors must agree to "the key beliefs" of the Westminster Confession of Faith.

Structure

Each congregation in the Presbyterian system is relatively autonomous. We are responsible for our own finances and appointing our own leadership. There is a constitution that stipulates how our finances are to be organized, our leadership structured, etc; while allowing freedom in matters such as how our Sunday morning meetings run.

The Presbytery

The Presbytery oversee congregations and plant new congregations in a specified area. The Presbytery is made up of a pastor and elder from each congregation in the area and normally meets once a month.

The Elders

The word Presbyterian comes from the Greek word "presbuteros" which simply means "elder". This reflects the fact that the Presbyterian denomination is committed to congregations being lead by a team of elders (instead of one person calling all the shots). Each congregation is led by a pastor (or minister) and a team of elders. The elders meetings are chaired by the pastor and are called "the Session". While the pastor is in charge of all aspects of our Sunday meetings, the Session is responsible before God for the overall oversight of our congregation. Elders are appointed by the Session. The congregation nominates elders, an election by ballot is held, which guides the Session on whether the nominated person has the confidence of the congregation. Elders are not re-elected each year by the congregation. They continue until it is felt they are no longer effective. they either resign or are removed by the Session or retire.

The Pastor

Congregations vote to choose their pastor (requiring a minimum two thirds approval) and their choice needs to be approved by the Presbytery. The Pastor is answerable to the Presbytery. If a congregation felt there were reasonable grounds for removing their pastor (or disciplining them in some way) they would approach the Presbytery. In appointing other staff, normally the congregation agree to the appointment in principle, and the senior pastor decides who will be appointed.

The Committee of Management

Each congregation appoints a committee to look after buildings, finance and general administration. The purpose of this Committee is to free the elders and pastors from administration to the ministry of the Word of God and Prayer (see Acts 6). The Committee is elected every year at our Annual General Meeting. Elders are automatic members of the Committee. The Committee then appoints a Secretary and Treasurer from their own number.

Who Can Vote At Meetings?

The Session determine this. Two lists are kept. There are "members" who are the only ones entitled to vote regarding elders and pastors. The Session should be satisfied that they are Christians, Additionally there are the quaintly termed "adherents" who are those who regularly attend. Adherents can vote on all matters except those mentioned above.