Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with denominational offices in Louisville, Kentucky, has approximately 2.1 million members, more than 10,000 congregations and 14,000 ordained and active ministers. (website: www.pcusa.org)

The PC (USA) has four governing bodies.  At all levels, the PC(USA) is governed democratically by bodies of elected clergy and elders.

Session

The governing body of each church is the session.  The session consists of ordained ministers and elders in active service who were elected by the congregation. The session's function is to oversee the day-to-day work of its church.  It is responsible for the whole life and mission of the local church.

At MPC the session also acts as the Board of Trustees in fulfilling the requirements of civil law.  It has the power to receive, hold, manage, and transfer property.  Its duties also cover the management and investment of funds entrusted to the church.

Presbytery

The presbytery is the local governing body of the PC(USA).  Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church is a member of the Presbytery of Carlisle which includes 52 churches in eight counties in Southern Pennsylvania and one county in Maryland.  The presbytery is responsible for the mission and ministry projects and programs of its churches.  The work of the presbytery is done through a structure of committees under the guidance of an Executive Presbyter.  Our ministers are members of the presbytery, not of the local church.  Presbytery meets five times a year for fellowship, worship, and to conduct business.  Our church is represented at these meetings by our three pastors and three ruling elders who are elected as commissioners.  The website for the Presbytery of Carlisle is: www.carlislepby.org.

Synod

The synod is the regional administrative office of the PC(USA).  The Presbytery of Carlisle belongs to the Synod of the Trinity which encompasses all of Pennsylvania and West Virginia and a small portion of eastern Ohio.  With its 16 presbyteries and 236,168 members in its 1,266 churches, the Synod of the Trinity is the oldest synod in the PC(USA).  There are seven PC(USA) affiliated colleges within its bounds, as well as Pittsburgh Thelogical Seminary.  The presbyteris operate or support thirteen Camp and Conference Centers in the Synod.  The website for the Synod of the Trinity is: www.syntrinity.org

General Assembly

General Assembly is the highest governing body of the church.  It is representative of the unity of the synods, prebyteries, sessions, and congretations of the PC(USA).  It is made up of equal numbers of laypeople and clergy who have been chosen by the presbyteries.  It meets biennially with its chief functions being: to set priorities for the work of the church; to establish and administer national and worldwide ministries; to provide a system of administrative services; to hear appeals; to review records of the synods; to decide controversies; to establish boards and agencies necessary for its work; to propose amendments; to organize new synods; and to supervise work of the whole church.

The General Assembly elects a General Assembly Mission Council that has executive supervision over the various commissions, boards, councils, and committees.

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