Presbyterianism

Presbyterianism, form of Christian church government based on bodies of clergy and lay presbyters. Midway between episcopacy and congregationalism, it was espoused at the time of the Reformation by the reformed churches, which viewed it as a rediscovery of the apostolic practice of church government. There is a hierarchy of church courts. The lowest is the kirk-session, composed of the minister and elders elected by the local congregation. This is followed by the presbytery, including representative ministers and elders from a given area, the synod, composed of members chosen from several presbyteries, and the general assembly, the supreme body, consisting of ministers and elders from all the presbyteries. (Various names are used for these courts.) Presbyterian doctrine is biblical Calvinism.