About Presbytery
What is a Presbytery?
A Presbytery is like the middle “court” of the Church of Scotland.
Scotland is divided into areas and each has their own Presbytery.
Who are the Presbytery ?
The Presbytery consists of the ministers and representative elders, from the congregations in its area, who have responsibility for church activity within its own boundaries. There are also elders (called "additional elders") chosen by the Presbytery to make sure that retired and specialist ministers entitled to membership of the Court do not cause ministers to outnumber the elders in its membership. (Note: "elders" are elected members of the congregation).
The principle office-bearers are the Presbytery Moderator, who is selected annually, and the Presbytery Clerk.
What does Presbytery do?
The Presbytery supervises the ministers, kirk sessions and congregations in its area, and elects local ministers and elders who will attend the annual General Assembly.
Most Presbyteries meet monthly, although the frequency of meetings may depend on the geographical spread of parishes within their boundary. Between meetings, presbytery business is carried out by several committees.
Some of the Presbytery business is the routine administration of the church. Presbytery also approves the movement of ministers in and out of congregations, and ordains them when they are called to parishes for the first time.
Once a year it elects commissioners to the General Assembly.
What is the Congregation?
The congregation consists of all the people who meet together for worship and to serve Jesus Christ. The people form the Church and the building where they meet is generally known as the Church.
Each congregation has a parish area and seeks to provide the ordinances of religion to all, as needed, within that parish. Each congregation has a Kirk Session. The Kirk Session are a group of people from the congregation who make the major decisions within their own church. (Note: “Kirk” is the Scottish word for church).
Overseeing Congregations.
The Presbytery is the court of appeal for all matters which are dealt with by Kirk Sessions, as well as having the power to review decisions made at congregational meetings. Each congregation is visited once in every five-year period by members of Presbytery (who are known as Presbyters), when its spiritual well-being and congregational activities are examined.
The objective is to encourage and advise the minister, kirk session and congregation, and to draw to their attention any matters which appear to be unsatisfactory or not in accordance with Church law.
Barrier Act
In addition to appointing General Assembly commissioners, presbyteries have potential changes to Church legislation sent down to them by the Assembly for consideration under the Barrier Act.
This Act, which dates from 1697, is designed to prevent sudden major changes in the most important areas of the Church's life. It requires that at least half the presbyteries must approve the proposed new legislation before it can be brought to the next Assembly to be passed as an Act.
Number of Presbyteries
Currently there are 48 presbyteries, including one for England, one for Europe, and another for Jerusalem and Tiberias.