Presbyterianism

Presbyterianism is a Protestant tradition whose churches are governed through assemblies of elders. Its distinctive polity distributes authority among local and regional bodies rather than vesting it in bishops.

Elder (Christianity): An elder is a church leader entrusted with spiritual oversight and governance. Elders, both teaching and ruling, exercise authority in Presbyterian congregations and assemblies.
John Calvin: John Calvin was a French Protestant reformer whose theology shaped Reformed churches across Europe. His Geneva reforms helped form the theological and institutional setting from which Presbyterianism developed.
Reformed theology: Reformed theology is a Protestant theological tradition emphasizing God's sovereignty, covenant, and scriptural authority. It supplies much of the theological framework commonly associated with Presbyterian churches.
Episcopal polity: Episcopal polity is a system of church government in which bishops hold authority over clergy and congregations. It contrasts with Presbyterianism's governance through representative assemblies of elders.
Session (Presbyterianism): A session is the governing body of a Presbyterian congregation, composed of its minister and ruling elders. It is the local court where Presbyterian elders oversee congregational life.
John Knox: John Knox was a Scottish Protestant reformer who helped establish the Reformation in Scotland. He organized Scotland's Reformed church along lines that became distinctly Presbyterian.
Covenant theology: Covenant theology interprets the Bible's history of redemption through covenants between God and humanity. It shapes Presbyterian readings of Scripture, sacraments, and the church.
Bishop: A bishop is a senior Christian cleric with authority over a region or group of churches in episcopal traditions. Presbyterian churches reject bishops as a governing rank above elders.
Presbytery: A presbytery is a regional assembly of ministers and elders representing Presbyterian congregations. It links local sessions and exercises authority across a region.
Scottish Reformation: The Scottish Reformation was the sixteenth-century transformation of Scotland from Catholicism to Protestantism. It established the national context for Presbyterian church government in Scotland.

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