All Villages Presbyterian Church, USA: Governance

Governance:

While Christ is the head of the church, there is a need for a system and structure to enable the church to carry out its necessary functions. This system and structure in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is a representative form of government. The following outlines the various levels of government within the PC (USA):

The Particular Church
At All Villages Presbyterian Church, the elected boards are composed of nine elders, nine deacons and three corporate officers.

Session
“Together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, [elders] exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the church at large, including ecumenical relationships. They shall serve faithfully as members of the session.” Book of Order G-6.0302

All Villages Presbyterian’s session is composed of nine elders. Nine elders chair different committees in the church and one elder is the Clerk of Session. The session generally meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. and is moderated by the Pastor.

Session Committees

Deacons
“It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the session, such as leading the people in worship through prayers of intercession, reading the Scriptures, presenting the gifts of the people, and assisting with the Lord’s Supper.”Book of Order G-6.0402

The board of deacons meets the 3rd Thursday of every month, and self-elects a Moderator.

The deacons are involved in the ministry of visitation and hosting weekly fellowship time at 10:30 on Sunday mornings, local missions: Angel Food Ministries, AngelTree Project and Backpacks for Manatee Academy.

Corporate Officers
The corporate officers consists of President, Secretary, and Treasurer of All Villages Presbyterian Church, Inc. a not-for-profit corporation, organized to hold and dispose of real property and in covenant with the Church to preserve tax deductible status of real and personal gifts now and in the future.

Presbytery
“Presbytery is a corporate expression of the church consisting of all the churches and ministers of the Word and Sacrament within a certain district.” Book of Order G-11.0101.

All Villages Presbyterian Church is a member of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida, which meets every two months. Two elders are elected by the session to attend presbytery meetings and vote on all issues brought before presbytery. Ministers of the Word and Sacrament are members of presbytery, not our church. They also vote on all issues brought before presbytery.

Synod
“Synod is the unit of the church’s life and mission which consists of not fewer than three presbyteries within a specific geographic region.” The synod is composed of commissioners elected by the presbyteries, and “is the intermediate governmental unit responsible for the mission of the church throughout its region.” Book of Order G-12.0100

We are in the Synod of the South-Atlantic.

General Assembly
“The General Assembly is the highest governing body of this church and is representative of the unity of the synods, presbyteries, sessions, and congregations of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Book of Order G-13.0101

It consists of equal numbers of elders and ministers from each presbytery, and constitutes the bond of union, community and mission among all its congregations and governing bodies. The General Assembly convenes one week every two years, with various working GA Committees functioning throughout the year. All changes to the Constitution of the PC(USA) Book of Confessions and Book of Order are done as an action of the General Assembly.