Hey, Church! 

Last Saturday’s personal worship surveyed the history of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), which is the denomination with which Rio is affiliated. Today, I want to explain in greater depth what beliefs and practices make a church uniquely Presbyterian. And, of course, the goal of Saturday PWs is always to help prepare your heart and mind for Sunday’s worship. So, let’s get to it! 

Defining “Presbyterian”

Our term comes from the Greek word presbuteros, meaning “elder.” In short, “presbyterian” means a church is elder-led. The New Testament uses the words presbuteros and episkopos interchangeably to describe a “bishop, overseer, or elder.” It is one of two official leadership roles established in the Church, with diakonos (deacons) being the second. Acts 6 offers a high-altitude picture of how those two roles functioned: 

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:1-4)

Although the titles are not explicitly given here, this passage indicates that elders are responsible for “prayer” and “ministry of the word,” including “preaching.” Deacons are ministers of mercy, who care for the practical needs of the flock (i.e. so “their widows” would no longer be “neglected,” but fed and cared for). The qualifications for elders and deacons are given in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus. Philippians 1:1 implies a clear delineation of roles:

“To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers (elders) and deacons…” 

The elders lead the ministry by teaching the Word, deacons give administrative support to the ministry, and the saints (congregants) do the ministry. This is the vision of the New Testament Church, and it is essentially what Presbyterianism seeks to recreate. 

One more important note: within the class of elder are the two orders of teaching elders and ruling elders. They have the same dignity, meet the same qualifications, and serve the same purpose, but ruling elders are typically laymen with 9-5 jobs in the secular market. In the PCA, teaching elders are those who have received a Master of Divinity degree from seminary, fulfilled the denomination’s extensive examinations for licensing and ordination, and are (ordinarily) appointed to a local church with a particular call. 

Three Courts

Together, ruling and teaching elders (REs and TEs) comprise a church’s Session. A Session is the governing body that oversees a particular church. It has two powers related to its governance, known collectively as “Church Discipline.” The first is the ministry of God’s Word in the form of admonition, preaching, teaching, counseling, discipleship, and so forth. The second power is jurisdiction. In cases where the shepherd’s guiding staff is ineffective or rebuffed by the sheep, the wise shepherd may employ the rod of correction–a formal process that resembles a civil trial. (More on this next week)

Beyond a church’s Session, there is a higher regional court called Presbytery. Rio is part of the South Florida Presbytery, which is composed of all PCA-ordained elders (TEs and delegated REs) across Broward and Miami-Dade County. The Presbytery’s business concerns matters like installing or removing a pastor, maintaining records of local Sessions, and receiving appeals in cases of church discipline. 

Finally, the highest court in the PCA is the General Assembly (GA). The General Assembly is composed of representatives from local presbyteries nation-wide and meets annually to address matters related to the denomination’s doctrine, administration, and mission. 

Officers at Rio

Teaching elders, ruling elders, and deacons hold an official office in Christ’s Church and are therefore called “officers.” The following is a list of Rio’s active officers, which can also be found on our website: https://riovistachurch.com/officers. Generally speaking, TEs serve on the Session perennially while REs and deacons commit to three-year terms and then “roll off” to “inactive” status until invited to return. Typically, officers are identified by the pastors per the qualifications of 1 Tim. 3/Titus 1, nominated by the Session, and installed/ordained by congregational vote in our annual meeting and potluck each January. 

Ruling Elders:

Mo Bellio
Dylan Buss
Steve Estler
John Foreman
Dave Smith
Scott Cochran
Mark Drummond
Erik Most
Mark Rosewell
Erick Vargas
Chuck Zink 

Deacons:

Mike Benson
Pat Fitzgibbon
Gary Kazim
Ryan Shealy
Scott Rogers
Michael Brown
JP Holland

Teaching Elders: 

Ryan Brasington
Mason Brown
Scott Carson (clerk of session)
Tom Hendrikse (moderator of session)
Sam Kastensmidt
David Moran
David Richardson

If you don’t know all of those guys, please make an effort to meet them! Next time we serve communion, make a point to learn the name of the elder or deacon holding the elements. In preparation for church, read the qualifications listed  in 1 Timothy 3, and pray for an increase in those things for your deacons and elders/pastors!