Maysville Presbyterian
21 W 3rd St.
Maysville, KY 41056
Our Facebook site is: www.facebook.com/maysvillepcusa.org/
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BEING PRESBYTERIAN
Why “Presbyterian”?
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The term “Presbyterian” refers to a representative style of church government. The church is governed by presbyters, (derived from a Greek word for “elder) that is, ruling elders and teaching elders. Presbyterian simply means “government by presbyters”.
How Do I Join First Presbyterian?
Faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is the sole entrance criterion. As expressions of that faith, baptism, public profession of faith, and the declaration of intent to support the work and worship of the church are the only requirements for membership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Baptism is also administered to the children of believers, who have the status of “baptized members” until their confirmation.
Confirmed members may be received by the Session in one of three ways:
Profession of faith;
Reaffirmation of faith;
Transfer of membership from another Christian church.
New member classes are offered periodically.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT
A major contributor to reformed theology was John Calvin, who converted from Roman Catholicism after training for the priesthood and the law. While in exile in Geneva, Switzerland, Calvin developed the Presbyterian pattern of church government.
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, and with demonstrated skills of leadership and compassion to be ruling elders. (G-2.0301)
Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation but are elected to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. (F-3.0202)
When elected they serve faithfully as members of the Session. When elected as commissioners to higher governing bodies, elders participate and vote with the same authority as teaching elders, and they are eligible for any office.
Ruling elders are both elected and ordained. Through ordination they are officially set apart for service. They retain their ordination beyond their term in office.
Teaching elders (also called ministers of the Word and Sacrament) equip the people of God for ministry and witness. They may serve in a variety of ministries, as authorized by the presbytery. When they serve as preachers and teachers of the Word, they preach and teach the faith of the church. When they serve at font and table they interpret the mysteries of grace. When they serve as pastors they support the people in the disciplines of the faith. (G-2.0501)
These presbyters come together in councils in regular gradation. These councils are sessions, presbyteries, synods and General Assembly. (F-3.0203)
Who Receives Baptism?
Baptism is administered to all those whom God calls. Since the initiative lies with God, and since, in any case, we need the Holy Spirit’s help to respond to God’s call, the key factor in Baptism is not the age or maturity of the person being baptized, but rather the church’s corporate response in claiming the promises sealed in the sacrament. Both parents and the congregation are part of that corporate response.
In the case of those who have reached the “age of discretion,” and are able to claim for themselves the promises of grace, Baptism is the seal of their discipleship and the sign of their entry into the covenant community. In the case of children or infants, who, of course, are unable to claim God’s promises for themselves, their parents or guardians respond on their behalf.
Whether the person baptized is an adult or a child, the congregation also makes its promise to nurture the baptized person in the faith. The vow of the local congregation, which represents the church universal, is an important aspect of the Baptismal rite. Only in extraordinary circumstances shall the administration of Baptism occur apart from the worship of the whole congregation. (W-2.3011)
Modes of Baptism
Since there is only one Baptism, those baptized in the name of the Trinity in any Christian denomination are not re-baptized in our church. Although we usually administer the water by pouring, Presbyterians recognize – indeed practice – Baptism by sprinkling and by immersion. We do not, however, rank one mode of administering the water over another.
