Every Presbyterian church is governed by a representative democracy. The governing body of the church typically consists of the church Staff, the Session and a variety of committees. The Ruling Elders in active service are congregation members nominated by the Nominations Committee and elected by the congregation. Ruling Elders are representatives for the people of the church, active in various committees, and oversee all aspects of a church. All members of the Session are entitled to vote on issues presented to them.
Responsibilities of the Session:
The Church Session is charged with maintaining the spiritual welfare and government of the church. In keeping with this purpose, it has the power to receive members into the communion of the church; to grant certificates of dismission to other churches; to instruct, examine, ordain and install Ruling Elders on their election by the congregation; and to develop and supervise the church including the preaching of the Word, the sharing of the Sacraments, and for the music program, in keeping with the principles in the Directory for Worship.
It is further charged to order collections for Christian purposes, to devise suitable measures for advancing the spiritual interests of the church and the congregation, to select among the active Ruling Elders representatives to the Presbytery and the Synod, who shall submit reports concerning the meetings on their return.
Other Responsibilities of the Session include:
- Ministering to those in need, to the sick, to the friendless and to those who may be in distress. It is further the duty of the Session to develop the grace of liberality in members of the church,
- Promoting a program of education designed to acquaint members of the congregation with the many activities of the church, the need of financial support and the importance of giving to support God’s work and for one’s own personal and spiritual growth in discharging responsibility as a worthy steward, and
- Approving the church budget which reflects the various causes and functions of the church supported by offerings of the congregation and to see that offerings are distributed for the causes and functions for which they were contributed.
Other specific responsibilities are listed in the Book of Order.
Meet the Session
Angeletta Bullock
Ramon Hawkins
Nita Henderson
Natashalyn Snipes
Stephanie Taylor
Cotton Memorial Presbyterian Church USA 