Session (church)
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| Session (church) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Session (church) |
| Main classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Reformed, Presbyterian |
| Polity | Presbyterian |
| Founded | 16th century |
| Area | Worldwide |
Session (church) is the governing council commonly found in Presbyterian and Reformed Presbyterian denominations such as the Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Presbyterian Church traditions, and various Reformed Church in America congregations. It functions as a local court of elders charged with spiritual oversight, discipline, worship, and pastoral care, operating within broader structures like the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. The session's authority and practice have been shaped by historical actors and events including the Scottish Reformation, John Knox, and continental figures like John Calvin and Heinrich Bullinger.
Definition and Purpose
A session is defined in Reformed and Presbyterian polity as a council of ruling elders and the teaching elder (minister) exercising local ecclesiastical jurisdiction, influenced by documents such as the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Directory of Public Worship, and various denominational constitutions like the Book of Order (PCUSA). Its purpose includes oversight of doctrine and discipline, pastoral care, administration of the sacraments (e.g., Lord's Supper (Christianity)), and governance of congregational life in accordance with standards such as the Scots Confession and the Second Helvetic Confession. Sessions serve as the primary link between congregations and judicatory bodies like the Presbytery of Edinburgh or the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, reflecting influences from councils such as the Council of Trent only insofar as Protestant responses shaped confessional boundaries.
Historical Development
The session emerged during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, particularly through the reforms of John Calvin in Geneva and John Knox in Scotland, influenced by continental synods like the Synod of Dort and creedal debates at the Colloquy of Poissy. In Scotland, the establishment of kirk sessions followed the Scottish Reformation Parliament and later codifications in the Book of Discipline (1560). During the 17th century, conflicts involving figures such as Oliver Cromwell, the Glorious Revolution, and the Act of Union 1707 affected sessional authority, while the Great Awakening and revival movements in the 18th century prompted adaptations in North American sessions within bodies like the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. 19th- and 20th-century events including the Disruption of 1843, the formation of the United Free Church of Scotland, and ecumenical movements such as the World Council of Churches further diversified sessional practice.
Composition and Membership
Sessions traditionally comprise the minister(s) as teaching elders and a body of ruling elders elected from the congregation, following patterns set by leaders like John Knox and institutional forms such as the Book of Church Order used by many bodies. Membership size varies from small rural parishes tied to historic locales like St Giles' Cathedral to large urban churches affiliated with denominations such as the Presbyterian Church in Canada or the United Church of Christ where adaptations occur. Elders often undergo training via seminaries like Princeton Theological Seminary, Westminster Theological Seminary, McGill University Faculty of Religious Studies, or theological colleges such as St Andrews University and adhere to ordination standards present in documents like the Formula of Subscription or denominational manuals.
Roles and Functions
Sessions exercise pastoral oversight, discipline, worship regulation, and administrative governance, engaging in duties informed by theological authorities including John Calvin, Richard Baxter, and confessions like the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Functions include approving baptisms and marriages, managing church property often recorded with civic registries such as the General Register Office, overseeing outreach ministries similar to initiatives by World Vision or Christian Aid, and coordinating educational programs in partnership with institutions like Trinity College, University of Toronto or Harvard Divinity School alumni. Sessions may convene disciplinary trials reflected in cases involving clergy such as historical controversies around figures like Samuel Rutherford or broader schisms exemplified by the Old Side–New Side Controversy.
Meetings and Procedures
Sessions meet regularly under rules influenced by procedures from manuals like the Book of Common Order and parliamentary guides such as Robert's Rules of Order in some contexts, though many follow denominational rules like the Church of Scotland Standing Orders or the Book of Order (PCUSA). Meetings typically require a quorum, minutes, and adherence to confidentiality norms grounded in pastoral practice; records may interface with legal frameworks exemplified by statutes like the Charities Act 2011 in the UK or nonprofit codes in the United States Internal Revenue Code. Procedures often include committees for finance, mission, and worship, paralleling committee structures in bodies such as the National Council of Churches or local bodies like the Presbytery of Boston.
Relation to Other Church Bodies
Sessions operate under the oversight of the Presbytery, appeal to the Synod where constituted, and, ultimately, to the General Assembly, reflecting multi-tiered Presbyterian polity seen in denominations like the Presbyterian Church (USA), Church of Scotland, and Reformed Church in America. Interaction includes sending commissioners to presbytery meetings, participating in ecumenical dialogues with organizations such as the Anglican Communion, Baptist World Alliance, and engaging in joint initiatives with bodies like the World Council of Churches or national councils such as the Canadian Council of Churches.
Variations by Denomination
Practice varies: in the Church of Scotland sessions are called kirk sessions and follow the Church of Scotland Act 1921 precedents; in the Presbyterian Church in America sessions reflect conservative confessional standards like the Westminster Confession; in the Presbyterian Church (USA) sessions operate under the Book of Order (PCUSA) with elected clerks; in the Reformed Church in America and Christian Reformed Church in North America sessions may be termed consistory and follow Dutch Reformed patterns influenced by synods such as the Synod of Dort. Other Reformed bodies, including United Reformed Churches and Evangelical Presbyterian Church, adapt session structure according to regional histories like the Great Migration or denominational unions such as the United Presbyterian Church of North America.