Presbyterians have a distinctive form of church government, or polity, in which the authority to make decisions is lodged not in individuals but in groups, known as councils, made up of both ministers and elected members of congregations known as ruling elders. The word “Presbyterian” comes from the Greek word for “elder.”

​

The body of elders elected by a congregation to govern a congregation is called a “session.” In one sense, sessions represent the other members of the congregation — even more importantly, they seek to discover and represent the will of Christ as they govern. Presbyterian elders are both elected and ordained. Ministers of the Word and Sacrament (also known as teaching elders) are elected by the congregation and are also part of the session.

 

Together, ruling and teaching elders exercise leadership, governance, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the church at large. When elected as commissioners to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the same authority as teaching elders. Congregations may also elect and ordain deacons to a ministry of compassion, witness, and service.

​

Class of 2026​

PK Johnson

Andrew Ottaway

​

Class of 2027

Carol Wade

Gary Carpenter

​

Class of 2028​

David Ellison

Destiny HIxon

Brenda Hawthorne - Clerk of Session
Jacob Rigsby - Treasurer