The government of the Derry Presbyterian Church consists
of two parts. We have our local government, which handles the details of government
specific to the Derry church and
includes our local boards such as the Elders and
Deacons and various other governing committees.
You can read about our local government here.
And, as members of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
we also participate in the various governing bodies of that
organization, which you can read about
here,
One very important aspect of all the governing bodies of the Presbyterian church, both local
and national, is that Presbyterians
are self-governing. Our Constitution says that:
Every Christian Church, or union or association of
particular churches, is entitled to declare the terms of admission
into its communion, and the qualifications of its ministers and
members, as well as the whole system of its internal government
which Christ hath appointed;
And furthermore:
All ministry in the Church is a gift from Jesus Christ. Members
and officers alike serve mutually under the mandate of Christ who
is the chief minister of all. His ministry is the basis of all ministries;
the standard for all offices is the pattern of the one who came "not
to be served but to serve."
(Matt. 20:28)
In other words, we have not only the right, but also the duty and obligation to elect officers of our
own chosing to govern and administer the body of our church. These officers must and
do follow the example and teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the supreme
Head of the Church.
But, despite the authority given to our elected officers by Scripture and the example
of Christ, the Holy Scriptures remain our final
authority and arbiter in all matters:
That all Church power, whether exercised by the body in
general or in the way of representation by delegated authority, is
only ministerial and declarative; that is to say, that the Holy Scriptures
are the only rule of faith and manners; that no Church
governing body ought to pretend to make laws to bind the conscience
in virtue of their own authority; and that all their decisions
should be founded upon the revealed will of God.
