PRESBYTERIANISM, one of the three principal systems of church polity known to the Christian (Protestant) Church, and occupying an intermediate position between episcopacy and con gregationalism.
As compared with the Church of England (Episcopal) in which there are three orders of clergy—bishops, priests and deacons, Presbyterianism recognizes but one spiritual order, viz., presby ters. These are ecclesiastically of equal rank, though differenti ated, according to their duties, as ministers who preach and administer the sacraments, and as elders who are associated with the ministers in the oversight of the people. There are deacons, in Presbyterianism inferior in rank to presbyters, their duties being regarded as non-spiritual. The membership of a Presby terian Church consists of all who are enrolled as communicants, together with their children. Others who worship regularly with out becoming communicants are called adherents. Only com municants exercise the rights of membership. They elect the minister and other office-bearers. But, in contrast with Congre gationalism, when they elect and "call" a minister their action has to be sustained by the presbytery, which judges of his fitness for that particular sphere, of the measure of the congregation's unanimity, and of the adequacy of financial support. When satis fied, the presbytery proceeds with the ordination and induction. The ordination and induction of ministers is always the act of a presbytery. The ordination and induction of elders in some branches of the Church is the act of the session ; in others it is the act of the presbytery.
gregation has jurisdiction over the minister. He holds his office ad vitain aut culpam; he cannot demit it or be deprived of it without consent of the presbytery. In this way his independence among the people to whom he ministers is to a large extent secured. The session has oversight of the congregation in regard to such matters as the hours of public worship, the arrange ments for administration of the sacraments, the admission of new members and the exercise of church discipline. New members are either catechumens or members transferred from other churches. The former are received after special instruction and profession of faith ; the latter on presenting a certificate of church membership from the church which they have left. Though the admission of new members is, strictly speaking, the act of the session, this duty usually devolves upon the minister, who reports his procedure to the session for approval and confirmation. Matters about which there is any doubt or difficulty, or division of opinion in the session, may be carried for settlement to the next higher court, the presbytery.
(ii.) The presbytery consists of all the ministers and a selec tion of the ruling elders from the congregations within a pre scribed area. The presbytery chooses its moderator periodically from among its ministerial members. His duty is to see that business is transacted according to Presbyterian principle and procedure. The moderator has no special power or supremacy over his brethren, but is honoured and obeyed as Primus inter pares. The work of the presbytery is episcopal. It has oversight of all the congregations within its bounds ; hears references from kirk-sessions or appeals from individual members ; sanctions the formation of new congregations ; superintends the education of students for the ministry; stimulates and guides pastoral and evangelistic work; and exercises discipline over all within its bounds, including the ministers. Appeals and complaints may be taken from the presbytery to the synod.