Some Basic Stuff About Presbyterianism

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a Protestant Christian organization of a type called a mainstream denomination in the Reformed tradition. Its organizational structure is “bottom up” in the sense that power and authority flow from local congregations upward to regional organizations (presbyteries, then to synods) to the national General Assembly based in Louisville, Kentucky. Authority is shared among clergy and lay members – the PCUSA has no “bishops.” Its traditions go back many centuries. Its membership peaked about 40 years ago and has been declining since then – this is of course a great concern to Presbyterians.
The Constitution of the PCUSA has two parts: “The Book of Confessions” contains theological statements (“confessions”) that define who Presbyterians are and what they believe. “The Book of Order” defines Presbyterian law as it has developed over the centuries and guides the Christian work of the PCUSA.

Eastminster Presbytery is a regional grouping of 55 PCUSA congregations in northeastern Ohio, from Youngstown on the east to Akron and Barberton on the west, and from Kinsman on the north to Lisbon on the South. The presbytery meets in local churches to conduct its business six times each year (odd-number months). Those attending with vote are the local pastors and a similar number of “commissioners,” lay members sent by the local congregations. Other interested people may attend presbytery meetings as non-voting guests. Much of the presbytery’s work is conducted by committees that meet in local churches six times each year (even-number months).

The presbytery office is on Ohio Route 46 in Mineral Ridge, a half mile north of the Interstate 80 interchange. It is staffed by a full time General Presbyter and Administrative assistant, plus part-time Stated Clerk, Treasurer, and Resource Center Director.

Funding for presbytery administrative work comes from “per capita” contributions from the local churches. Funding for its Christian mission work comes from voluntary contributions from local churches and other voluntary sources.

People sometimes wonder why it is necessary to have a national denomination – why not let each church congregation just “do its thing?” Presbyterian leaders at various levels, responding to a recent national poll, concluded that we need each other to –

• Witness and do mission beyond ourselves,
• Pool our resources,
• Share our collective wisdom,
• Have a “critical mass” for action
• Witness our theological heritage, polity and interpretation of Scripture, and
• Work toward God’s final intention of the unity of the body of Christ.

One participant observed that, “If the Presbyterian Church were to cease to exist tomorrow, God would have to invent it all over again.”