Governance

Session

The governing body is the Session; the teaching elder (minister) and ruling elders constitutes it.

The governing principles are continually renewed based on the following questions:

What is required of elders by Christ?
Which of Christ's ministry are we called to do?
Where is Christ taking us in 50, 10, and 5 years time?
Who are our neighbours? In what ways do we live out faith in the midst of these neighbours?
Are we being faithful to the calling?

Responsibilities
- pastoral care,
- worship,
- education,
- stewardship,
- mission and
- relationship with the wider church and neighbours

How
The session sets a direction and empowers committees, the Board, teams, and groups with goals, tasks and responsibilities. The session concentrates on broad policy questions. It's job is to support, encourage, train and give permission for individuals and groups to carry out Christ's ministry.

All decisions by the session are made to enhance and accomplish Christ's ministry. To this end, all decisions will be reviewed and adjusted to serve Christ's call better.

Teaching Elder (minister) is called. As the executor of the Presbytery, the elder is called and is under the discipline of the Presbytery.

Ruling Elders are elected to a term. At the end of the term, the session could extend the term and ask the congregation to reelect and by its resolution. New elders are added by election and resolution of the session.

To find out more about the responsibilities of Session and elders, download in pdf form or read it.

If you disagree with the direction or decisions made by the session, talk with an elder, the minister or write a note and let us know. It’s important that we hear from you.

Presbytery

Presbyterian churches in a geographically defined region (in our case, Niagara region) forms a presbytery. It is a governing body consisting of ministers actively serving in congregations and representative elders from each congregation. Together ruling and teaching elders form a corporate bishop functioning as legislative, administrative and adjudicative body. All decisions of sessions and congregations may be appealed to the Presbytery.

Presbytery provides pastoral oversights. The discipline of ministers is the responsibility of the presbytery within which they are called.

Synod

Synods regulate presbyteries within their bounds and have pastoral and judicial oversights over presbyteries. All decisions of presbyteries could be referred or appealed to Synods through presbyteries.

General Assembly

General Assembly is constituted of 1/6th of all members of presbyteries. It meets years by rotating members of presbyteries. It has legislative and judicatory functions. General Assembly is the highest court of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.