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The Presbyterian family in America
"Presbyterian" describes a form of church government — rule by elected elders (Greek: presbyteros) — as much as a theological tradition. In practice, nearly all Presbyterian denominations share a Calvinist theological heritage and subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) or a close derivative. But the denominations differ significantly in theology, worship, and social stance.
Presbyterian Church (USA) — PC(USA)
The largest Presbyterian denomination, with approximately 1.2 million members and 8,700 congregations. PC(USA) is the mainline body — theologically moderate to progressive, ordaining women to all offices, and affirming same-sex marriage in many presbyteries. PC(USA) congregations tend to have formal, liturgically structured worship and strong commitments to social justice and community service.
Presbyterian Church in America — PCA
Founded in 1973 by conservatives who left the PCUS, the PCA is the largest theologically conservative Presbyterian denomination, with approximately 2,000 congregations and 380,000 members. The PCA holds to the Westminster Standards strictly, does not ordain women to the offices of elder or deacon, and maintains traditional views on marriage and sexuality. PCA churches tend toward expository preaching, psalm-singing, and careful doctrinal catechesis.
Evangelical Presbyterian Church — EPC
A middle-ground conservative denomination founded in 1981, with approximately 600 congregations. The EPC holds to the Westminster Confession but allows women's ordination at the congregational level and describes itself as "Reformed and always reforming." It attracts churches and individuals who find PC(USA) too liberal and PCA too restrictive.
Orthodox Presbyterian Church — OPC
A smaller, rigorously confessional denomination founded by J. Gresham Machen in 1936 in opposition to theological liberalism in the mainline. The OPC holds strictly to the Westminster Standards, practices careful expository preaching, and maintains a high theological culture. It is smaller (about 300 congregations) but known for doctrinal depth.
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America — RPCNA
One of the most distinctive Presbyterian bodies — the "Covenanters" — who sing only psalms (no hymns), without musical instruments, in worship. The RPCNA traces its heritage to the Scottish Covenanting movement of the 17th century. Small but highly committed to its confessional heritage.
What to expect at a Presbyterian service
Despite their differences, Presbyterian services share a recognizable structure:
- Ordered liturgy. Presbyterian worship tends to be structured — call to worship, confession of sin, assurance of pardon, Scripture reading, sermon, benediction. In conservative churches this follows the Westminster Directory for Worship closely; in mainline churches it may be more flexible.
- Preaching as the center. The sermon is typically the longest element of the service — 30 to 50 minutes of expository preaching through a biblical book is common in PCA and OPC churches. The Word is understood as the primary means of grace in worship.
- Psalm-singing and hymns. Conservative Presbyterian churches often include psalms set to music alongside traditional hymns. PCA churches vary from contemporary worship bands to exclusively traditional psalmody. PC(USA) churches typically use a hymnal with a wide range of styles.
- The Lord's Supper. Practice varies: some Presbyterian churches celebrate Communion weekly, others monthly or quarterly. It is typically administered by elders, with the congregation seated.
- Catechesis. Presbyterian churches have historically taken children's education very seriously. The Westminster Shorter Catechism ("What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy him forever") is still taught in many conservative congregations.
- Elder governance. Presbyterians are governed by a session of elected ruling elders and a board of deacons. There is no single "senior pastor" with unchecked authority — decisions are made collectively by the session.
Presbyterian theology: what they believe
Presbyterian churches across denominations tend to hold in common:
- The sovereignty of God — God's will is the ultimate cause of all things, including salvation
- Election — God chooses whom he will save, not based on foreseen faith but on his own free grace (this is the Calvinist or Reformed distinctive)
- Covenant theology — the Bible tells one story of God's covenant with humanity through Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, and ultimately Christ
- The authority of Scripture — the Westminster Confession describes Scripture as "the only infallible rule of faith and practice"
- Infant baptism — most Presbyterian churches practice paedobaptism (baptizing infants of believing parents), understood as the covenant sign analogous to circumcision
Is a Presbyterian church right for you?
Presbyterian churches tend to attract people who value:
- Intellectually serious, doctrinally rich preaching
- A sense of historical connection to the Protestant Reformation
- Accountable, elder-led governance rather than a single charismatic leader
- Careful, ordered liturgy rather than informal or spontaneous worship
- Deep community through small groups and church membership
If you are coming from a charismatic or Pentecostal background, the relative restraint and formality of Presbyterian worship can feel unfamiliar at first. If you are coming from a Catholic or Episcopal background, the theological depth and sermon-centered worship may feel like a natural progression.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between PCA and PC(USA)?
The simplest summary: PCA is theologically conservative, holds to the Westminster Confession strictly, and does not ordain women to the offices of elder or minister. PC(USA) is the mainline body — moderate to progressive theologically, ordaining women to all offices, and affirming same-sex marriage in participating presbyteries. If you are searching online, be aware that "First Presbyterian Church" in your city may belong to either denomination — check the church's website for their affiliation.
Do Presbyterians baptize babies?
Most Presbyterian denominations practice infant baptism (paedobaptism), understood as the sign of membership in the covenant community — analogous to circumcision in the Old Testament. Baptism does not guarantee salvation but marks the child as belonging to the covenant community and places them under the care of the congregation. Adults coming from unbaptized backgrounds receive baptism upon profession of faith.
What is the Westminster Confession of Faith?
The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) is the doctrinal standard of most Presbyterian denominations. It was written by an assembly of English and Scottish divines during the English Civil War and represents the most thorough systematic statement of Reformed theology ever produced. Most conservative Presbyterian churches require their officers to subscribe to it; PC(USA) has a more permissive subscription policy.