I must admit that I attended church for most of my life without giving much thought to church officers. I'm sure we had some because there is much work to do around a church but then you know that!

When I was a child, my dad was often a money counter (financial secretary) at our large church in Wilmington. A few times, I was allowed to put pennies into piles of ten to help... What joy! Then Dad would tell my mother how I had helped! That was always a very special day!

I was fortunate to have been raised in a home in which church attendance and service was part of the norm. In fact, I thought that everyone in the entire world attended church each Sunday --- and participated in all the activities through the year.

Now I am learning more about the formal structure of the church and the responsibilities of membership --- and the church officers. It is much easier for me to do so now because I am retired and am fortunately in good health... And, in this congregation, there is so much help and fellowship in doing it!

When I joined the Presbyterian Church, I really did not understand the form of government and I am learning more an more about it as a member here as well as a student.

Our church operates under a Constitution, Part found in the Book of Confessions and Part in the Book of Order. The former tells us about our beliefs throughout our history and the latter describes our form of worship, our church and denominational government, and church discipline. Of course, it is in the second one that we find out about church officers.

Within each particular church, there is a Session, composed of the pastor and three groups of active Elders. Each Elder serves a three year term and not more than six years consecutively. The groups are determined by the year in which each three year term concludes. There is a very long list of responsibilities for the Session but it is "responsible for the mission and government of the church."

Some Elders go on to serve on the Presbytery of which the church is a member. That is also a very time-consuming role.

The Board of Deacons is composed of the three "classes" of Deacons who, again, serve three year terms, limited to six consecutive years. The role of a Deacon is "one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ." It is a very demanding job.

Sally

Webservant's note: Want to know exactly who are Westminster's current officers? Click here...

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