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THE CONGREGATION
A Presbyterian congregation is the church engaged in the mission of God in a specific context. Congregations reach out to people, communities, and the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Congregations gather for worship, offer care and nurture to God’s children, speak for social justice and righteousness, and participate in the arrival of God’s reign. A single congregation by itself does not represent the church. Presbyterian congregations are bound together in communion, accountable to each other, and contribute their strengths to the benefit of the whole. Collectively, they are called the Church. The structure of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is based on the fellowship of women, men, and children united in covenant relationship with one another and with God through Jesus Christ. The Church rests on this fellowship and is not designed to work without trust and love. The members of a congregation put themselves under the leadership of the session and the higher councils (presbytery, synod, and General Assembly). Book of Order, G-1.0101 – 1.0103
THE CHURCH
Wayne Presbyterian is a member of
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) displays its unity through the mutual interconnection of the church councils. Councils of the church exist to help congregations and the united church to be more faithful participants in the mission of Christ. These councils are called the session, the presbytery, the synod, and the General Assembly. They are composed of presbyters elected by the people who are equally represented by of ministers of the Word and Sacrament and ruling elders. Councils are distinct, their jurisdictions are limited, but they are also mutually related. The act of one of them is the act of the whole church.
All PC(USA) bodies are governed by a constitution, which has two parts:
Book of Confessions – The doctrinal statements that convey what the church believes.
Book of Order – The policies and procedures of the church to enable it to carry out its ministries.
Click on the links below to learn more about the structure of the church.
The session is responsible for guiding and governing the life of the congregation. The session is composed of members elected by the congregation to active service as ruling elders and the church’s pastors. The session governs the and guides its witness to God’s activity in the world, so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and service. Individual church sessions live into their responsibility for the life of the whole church by participating in other church councils. Sessions elect ruling elders from the congregation to serve as commissioners to presbytery and nominate ruling elders for consideration to serve as synod and General Assembly commissioners. Book of Order, G-1.0101, G-3.0201.
Our Clerk of Session is Jim Galasso. Clerk@waynepres.org.
Learn More about the roles of the Nominating Committee, deacons, and elders.
WAYNE PRESBYTERIAN IS A MEMBER OF
The presbytery of Philadelphia
The Regional Body of Leadership
Founded in 1717, the Presbytery of Philadelphia is the oldest Presbyterian corporate entity in the United States and home to some of the oldest Presbyterian churches in our nation. Our story is deeply rooted in both American and Presbyterian history, illustrating faithfulness and courage throughout our 300-year heritage.
The presbytery is the council serving as a corporate expression of the church within a certain district. A presbytery is composed of all congregations and ministers of the Word and Sacrament within that district. The presbytery is responsible for the government of the church throughout its district and supporting the witness of congregations to God’s activity in the world, so that all congregations become communities of faith, hope, love, and witness. This responsibility shall supporting congregation integrity; overseeing congregation/pastoral relationships, guiding the preparation of new ministers, maintaining ecumenical relationships in the district; supporting congregational worship, mission, witness, and administration. Book of Order, G-3.03
Read more about the Presbytery of Philadelphia by visiting their website.
WAYNE PRESBYTERIAN IS A MEMBER OF
The SYNOD OF THE HOLY TRINITY
Synod of the Trinity is an upper judicatory of the Presbyterian Church headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. The synod oversees sixteen presbyteries covering all of Pennsylvania, most of West Virginia, and a portion of eastern Ohio.
The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America has its roots in the territory of the Synod of the Trinity, which was founded as the Synod of Philadelphia in 1717 following the division of the Presbytery of Philadelphia into three presbyteries (Philadelphia, New Castle, and Long Island), with the synod as a superior body.
The synod is the intermediate council serving as a corporate expression of the church throughout its region. It shall consist of at least three presbyteries within a specific geographic region. Synod is responsible for the life and mission of the church throughout its region and for supporting the ministry and mission of its presbyteries as they seek to support the witness of congregations, to the end that the church throughout its region becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness.
This responsibility may include in conjunction with its presbyteries in its region, developing a broad strategy for the mission of the church, facilitating joint action in mission with other denominations and agencies, promoting communication among its presbyteries and between its presbyteries and the General Assembly; providing services for presbyteries within its area that can be performed more effectively from a broad regional base. Book of Order, G-3.04
The General Assembly is the council of the whole church, and it is representative of the unity of the synods, presbyteries, sessions, and congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The General Assembly constitutes the bond of union, community, and mission among all its congregations and councils, to the end that the whole church becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness.
This responsibility shall include providing those services, resources, and programs performed most effectively at a national level, communicating with the whole church on matters of common concern, warning and bearing witness against errors in doctrine or immorality in the church and in the world. General Assembly agencies provide encouragement, guidance, and resources to presbyteries in the areas of mission, prophetic witness, leadership development, worship, evangelism, and responsible administration with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Book of Order, G-3.0501