Information About NJ Presbyterian Churches

By Stephanie Sullivan


The Presbyterian Church is one of the mainline Protestant Christian denominations. The name Presbyterian Church is often abbreviated to PC. The foundation of the church happened as a result of the United PC in the USA (UPCUSA and PC in the USA (PCUS) merging in 1983. The southern and border states were home to most PC in the US churches whereas congregations of UPCUS were in all the states within the country. Currently, NJ Presbyterian Churches fall among the many PC churches that are located in various states in the US.

The PC as a denomination was estimated to have 20, 383 ordained ministers, 9, 829 congregations, and 1, 667, 767 members at the end of 2014. Even with that population, the church has experienced some sharp decline in its membership within the past few years. PC (USA) has about three million adherents and its denominational officers are situated in Louisville in the state of Kentucky. PC is a member of World Council of Churches, Christian Churches Together, and World Communion of Reformed Churches.

The origin of Presbyterians can be traced back to the Protestant Reformation that took during the sixteenth century. The theology and heritage of the church was started by Swiss/French theologian and lawyer named John Calvin. The writing of Calvin played a big role in solidifying much of Reformed thinking that appeared before him.

The rest of Europe had the Reformed movement spread to it from Geneva where Calvin was located. John Knox, a colleague of Calvin started the Scottish Reformation. Knox brought the reformation back home from Geneva. The Reformation moved to America and later the entire world. It is continuing to spread even today.

A lot of separations by independent denominations from the main church have occurred over the years. One among the earliest separation occurred in 1936 when Orthodox PC broke away from PC in the US. Separations have continued until recently when they have become a threat to the faith itself. Denominations that split claim to be dissatisfied with the direction the church is taking. Separated churches continue with reformed tradition.

The PC in America (PCA) broke from PCUS in 1973 and has become the second largest Presbyterian in the United States. PCA broke away because the main church was allowing ordained female clergies. The Evangelical PC (EPC) also broke away and became incorporated in 1981. EPC, unlike PC within the US and PCA, gives local presbyteries the power to decide if they want ordained female clergies.

There is a constitution for governing everyday operations of PC. There are two sections in the constitution, that is, the Book of Confessions (BoC) and the Book of Order (BoB). The BoC comes first followed by the Book of Order. The belief system of PC is outlined within the BoC. The Outlining is done in form of creeds that instruct and lead leaders.

The Book of Confessions is complemented by Book of Order. The rationale and a description of functions and organization of this church at all levels is given in Book of Order. This description covers all levels in the denomination.




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