What is a “Presbyterian”?
A “Presbyterian” is a type of Protestant Christian. Three points of belief that form a foundation for Presbyterians in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are:
1) living in gratitude for all God has done for us by loving whomever we encounter;
2) participating in God’s work of breaking down the barriers that divide us in order to bring together all people and all things; and
3) engaging with the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we strive to embody this life of love and reconciliation.
The Presbyterian Church is named after its polity (form of government). The word Presbyterian comes from the Greek word prebuteros, which means “elder.” Here are a few aspects of Presbyterian polity that work together to make Presbyterian churches unique among Christian churches:
—The seal of the PC(U.S.A.) is full of symbolism relating to our faith.
Connectedness—the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a connectional church where congregations come together to form presbyteries, presbyteries belong to synods, and synods unite in the General Assembly. Presbyterians listen to one another when making decisions, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the church’s constitution, and one another.
Representative government—Presbyterian polity is based on a representative government. Guided by the Holy Spirit, representatives at various levels of government (session, presbytery, synod, and General Assembly) vote according to their own consciences.
Commitment to being “decent and in order”—Presbyterians believe that they can be most faithful when they are highly organized. For this reason, Presbyterians have a Book of Order that explains how the church is ordered, including processes for disagreement and discipline.
Diversity—Presbyterians believe that decisions are best when the entire community takes part in the decision-making process. This includes listening to those who have different opinions and diverse backgrounds.
If you are interested in knowing more specifics about what Presbyterians believe, the following two confessions from the PC(U.S.A.)’s constitution are a good summary of the beliefs that Presbyterians in the PC(U.S.A.) hold in common: