The First Presbyerian Church on the Park is a member of The Presbyterian Church (PC USA), a politically diverse and theologically progressive “Mainline” Protestant Christian denomination, that counts 1.4 million members and 9,300 congregations.
Presbyterianism, in a wider sense, is the system of church government by representative assemblies called presbyteries, rather than government by bishops (episcopal system) or by congregations (congregationalism). In its strict sense, Presbyterianism is the name given to one of the groups of ecclesiastical bodies that represent the features of Protestantism emphasized by French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564) whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.
Presbyterian comes from the Greek word “presbyter” which literally translated means elder. It refers to the way we govern ourselves. People like you are elected by the congregation to help the pastor(s) guide and direct the spiritual life of the congregation.
Presbyterians were only one of the Reformed denominations which dominated American colonial life at the time of the Revolutionary War. Presbyterians participated in the writing of state and national constitutions (Rev. John Witherspoon was on the only member of the clergy to sign the Declaration of Independence). Reformed views of God's sovereignty and of human sinfulness moved the new nation toward checks and balances and separation of powers.
Presbyterians are distinctive in two major ways: we adhere to a pattern of religious thought known as Reformed theology, and practice a form of government that stresses the active, representational leadership of both ministers and church members.
Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God’s purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone’s job – ministers and lay people alike – to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian Church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy, laity, men and women alike.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has about 10,750 congregations which are organized into 173 presbyteries (district governing bodies) and 16 synods (regional governing bodies). The First Presbyterian Church on the Park belongs to the Presbytery of Northern New York that serves Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton Counties. It is made up of 33 Churches with about 1,550 members.
Each local church is governed through its Session (or Ruling Board) consisting of Elders, who are members elected by the congregation and ordained for service. Elders serve a three year term and may be re-elected for another three year term. The Moderator of Session is the pastor. The Session meets regularly and oversees the spiritual life and business of the church, with oversight and support provided by the Presbytery and its various commissions/committees.