What is a key characteristic of Presbyterian church governance?

A key characteristic of Presbyterian church governance is that elders and bishops work collaboratively in authority. This structure emphasizes a system of representative leadership, where elected elders (also known as presbyters) play a significant role in the decision-making process, alongside teaching elders, who are often the pastors or ministers.

In a Presbyterian model, authority is not centralized in a single leader or a congregation but is distributed among a body of elders. This approach aligns with the historical roots of the Presbyterian tradition, which values the collective wisdom and shared responsibility of church leaders over individual authority.

This governance structure promotes accountability and shared decision-making, reflecting the belief in the priesthood of all believers, where each member has a voice in the church’s ministry and direction through their elected representatives. This stands in contrast to other forms of governance, such as monarchical leadership or congregational autonomy, where authority may be concentrated in one figure or solely with the local congregation without broader connection to the wider church.