Presbypedia--- your link to all things Presbyterian
Welcome to Presbypedia-- your link to all things Presbyterian! Here you will find information about Presbyterian theology, church order and structure, history, and whatever else we can come up with! Items are listed in alphabetical order, and will be added to as needed. For suggestions or additions, please send a message via "Contact Us."
A Brief Statement of Faith-- the most recent confession of the Presbyterian Church (USA), written as the reunion of the two largest branches of the Presbyterian church took place.
Book of Confessions-- Part I of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), it contains historical documents which have shaped the Presbyterian theological tradition and which help us articulate our faith. Confessions included are: The Apostles' Creed, The Nicene Creed, The Scots Confession, The Heidleberg Chatechism, The Second Helvetic Confession, The Westminster Confession of Faith, The Shorter and Longer Chatechisms, the Theological Declaration of Barmen, The Confession of 1967, and A Brief Statement of Faith-- Presbyterian Church (USA).
Book of Order--Part II of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which contains the Form of Government (dealing with the organizational structure of the PC(USA), the Directory for Worship (describing the theological underpinnings of Reformed worship and outlining appropriate forms for that worship), and the Rules of Discipline (outlining the authority of the church which has been given by Christ.)
Connectionalism-- the idea that each church in the denomination is connected to the other churches through Presbyteries, Synods, and the General Assembly. Believing that together we are able to accomplish more than we can alone, through connectionalism we work together as the Body of Christ for mission and ministry in our communities and throughout the world.
General Assembly--the collection of all PC(USA) churches, ministers, and members. There are about 2.3 million members and 14,000 in over 10,000 churches across the United States.
John Calvin-- One of the most important persons in the history of the Reformed theological tradition and considered to be the father of Presbyterianism. Calvin wrote the Institutes of the Christian Religion (version one published 1537), which was one of the earliest systematic approaches to theology, and was the originator of the term. Calvin originally studied to become a lawyer but in his early 20s experienced a sudden conversion to Christianity. His theological emphasis came to be centered on grace, and understood the Bible as a record of God's grace to the people of God, as embodied by Jesus Christ and enlivened by the Spirit. While living and working in Geneva, Switzerland, Calvin originated the plan for a Presbyterian form of church government. His plan was to have 4 types of church officers-- pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons; clergy were to be equal, with no bishop presiding over them; and a board of 12 lay elders was to be elected by the people from the congregation to share in governance of the church. This type of system was reflective of newer civil governments that were developing in parts of Europe at that time and largely laid the basis for modern democracy. Celebrate the Jubilee of John Calvin's birth this year!
Presbytery-- smaller district governing body of the Presbyterian Church, USA, made up of the local congregations in a particular geographical area. There are 173 Presbyteries across the United States.
Synod-- a regional governing body of the PC(USA), made up of several Presbyteries in a geographical area. There are 16 Synods across the United States.
