Session (Presbyterian)
Encyclopedia
A Session is a body of elected elder
s governing each local church within the Presbyterian polity
.
These groups of elders make decisions for the local parish through a ruling body called the Kirk session (Latin.
sessio from sedere "to sit"), sometimes the Session, church session, or (in Continental Reformed usage) consistory. The members of the session are the pastor of that congregation, and the other ruling elders (sometimes called "lay
elders" although most Presbyterians would reject this term as being inconsistent with the Priesthood of all believers
). In most denominations, the pastor serves as Moderator and thus chair or preside over the session. All elders have an equal vote in the session. In some denominations, the pastor is given no vote, however in a sitting body of an even number or with a quorum
of the session counted she or he can break a tie with a casting vote.In the Polity of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
, the pastor and associate pastor have a vote as members of the session on any and all matters; however, oftentimes she or he refrains from voting except in tie situations. The Pastor is not a voting member of the congregation.
Elder (Christianity)
An elder in Christianity is a person valued for his wisdom who accordingly holds a particular position of responsibility in a Christian group. In some Christian traditions an elder is a clergy person who usually serves a local church or churches and who has been ordained to a ministry of Word,...
s governing each local church within the Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
.
These groups of elders make decisions for the local parish through a ruling body called the Kirk session (Latin.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
sessio from sedere "to sit"), sometimes the Session, church session, or (in Continental Reformed usage) consistory. The members of the session are the pastor of that congregation, and the other ruling elders (sometimes called "lay
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
elders" although most Presbyterians would reject this term as being inconsistent with the Priesthood of all believers
Priesthood of all believers
The universal priesthood or the priesthood of all believers, as it would come to be known in the present day, is a Christian doctrine believed to be derived from several passages of the New Testament...
). In most denominations, the pastor serves as Moderator and thus chair or preside over the session. All elders have an equal vote in the session. In some denominations, the pastor is given no vote, however in a sitting body of an even number or with a quorum
Quorum
A quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly necessary to conduct the business of that group...
of the session counted she or he can break a tie with a casting vote.In the Polity of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
, the pastor and associate pastor have a vote as members of the session on any and all matters; however, oftentimes she or he refrains from voting except in tie situations. The Pastor is not a voting member of the congregation.