LOPC Government
A major distinction of the Presbyterian church is our form of government that stresses the active, representative leadership of ministers and church members. The "Presbyterian Book of Order" clarifies the process as:
"Elders are chosen by the people. Together with the ministers of the word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibility for the particular church as well as the church at large".
The body of elders elected to govern a particular congregation is called a Session. They are elected for a particular period of service—usually three years—and in one sense are the representative leaders for other members of the congregation. However, their primary charge is to seek to discover and represent the will of Chirst as they govern. All major decisions of the church are made by the session.
In addition to Elders, LOPC also has many Deacons. The office of a Deacon, as described in Scripture, is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. It is the duty of the Deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, sick, friendless, or in any other form of distress both within and beyond our particular community of faith. Just as all other parts of the church, Deacons and the Board of Deacons are under the supervision and jurisdiction of the Session. |
