-Martin Luther, a German priest and professor, started the movement known as the Protestant    Reformation when he posted a list of 95 grievances against the Roman Catholic Church on a church door   in Wittenburg, Germany in 1517.

 -Some 20 years later, a French/Swiss theologian, John Calvin, further refined the reformers' new way of thinking about the nature of God and God's relationship with humanity in what came to be known as    Reformed theology.

 -John Knox, a Scotsman who studied with Calvin in Geneva, Switzerland, took Calvin's teachings back toScotland. Other Reformed communities developed in England, Holland and France. The Presbyterian church traces its ancestry back primarily to Scotland and England.

 -Presbyterians have featured prominently in United States history.
  -One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Rev. John Witherspoon, was a  Presbyterian minister.
  -The Rev. William Tennent founded a ministerial "log college" in New Jersey that evolved into  Princeton University.
  -Rev. Jonathan Edwards and the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, were driving forces in the so-called "Great Awakening," a revivalist movement in the early 18th century.

    Church Splits
 -The Presbyterian Church has split and parts have reunited several times.
  -Currently the largest group is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which has its national offices in Louisville, Ky. It was formed in 1983 as a result of reunion between the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS), the so-called "southern branch," and the United Presbyterian Church in the     U.S.A. (UPCUSA), the so-called "northern branch." which originally split during the Civil War.

    Membership
 PC (U.S.A.) Statistics: December 31, 1997
  Synods 16 presbyteries 172  Churches 11,295  Membership 2,609,191  (231 per church)
  Baptisms: infant  41,057  adult  13,872  total  54,929
  Total Congregational Contributions $1,701,774,036 Total Gift per  Member $652

    Education
 Total Church School: (Pupils, Teachers, and Officers) 1,065,388
 71 Presbyterian related colleges, 11 seminaries (Princeton)

  Clergy
 -Ministers (ordained clergy): female  3,380    male  17,478    total   20,858   Candidates for Clergy    979

    Name
 -Presbyterian refers to a church governed by presbyters (representatives)
 -Presbyterian comes from the Greek word for elder

    Homosexuality
 -The Presbyterian General Assemblies have addressed the issue of homosexuality in three broad categories:
  1. The Legal Rights of Gay Men and Lesbians in Society
   -In 1978, a Presbyterian General Assembly declared that ". . . there is no legal, social, or  moral justification for denying homosexual persons access to the basic requirements of human social existence . . ."

   -In 1987, the General Assembly called ". . . for the elimination . . . of laws governing the private sexual behavior between consenting adults [and the passage] of laws forbidding  discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public  accommodations . . ."

  2. Homosexuals in the Church
   -In 1978, a Presbyterian General Assembly adopted the following statement:
    -Persons who manifest homosexual behavior must be treated with the profound respect and pastoral tenderness due all people of God. There can be no place within the Christian faith for the response to homosexual persons of mingled       contempt, hatred, and fear that is called homophobia.

    -Homosexual persons are encompassed by the searching love of Christ. The church  must turn from its fear and hatred to move toward the homosexual community in  love and to welcome homosexual inquirers to its congregations. It should free       them to be candid about their identity and convictions, and it should also share honestly and humbly with them in seeking the vision of God's intention for the sexual dimensions of their lives.

   -In 1991, the General Assembly clarified its position with respect to the institution of  marriage:
    -Inasmuch as the session is responsible and accountable for determination of the appropriate use of the church buildings and facilities (G-10.0102n), it should not allow the use of the church facilities for a same sex union ceremony that the  session determines to be the same as a marriage ceremony.

    -Likewise, since a Christian marriage performed in accordance with the Directory for Worship can only involve a covenant between a woman and a man, it would  not be proper for a minister of the Word and Sacrament to perform a same sex       union ceremony that the minister determines to be the same as a marriage  ceremony.

  3. The Ordination of Homosexuals
   -In 1993, the General Assembly adopted the recommendation of its Advisory Committee  on the Constitution which stated that "current constitutional law in the Presbyterian  Church (U.S.A.) is that self-affirming, practicing homosexual persons may not be ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, elders, or deacons."
   -In 1997, the General Assembly adopted  alternative language (now referred  to as "Amendment A"), which has been sent to the presbyteries for their support or  rejection:

UPDATE: The following has recently been brought to my attention. .

     'You should know,  and for the sake of honesty I hope you would publish  the fact that "Amendment A" was soundly defeated by the presbyteries and that our Book of Order,  at G-6.0106b says that ordained officers are required to
practice fidelity in marriage or celibacy in singleness.   But please  know that the vast majority of your brothers and sisters in the  Presbyterian  Church (USA) disagrees with Amendment A,  and we do not want to be  represented as though we advocate that kind of theology.   We do indeed see  homosexual behavior as sinful.  We believe Christ died for sinners,  that no  sinners are beyond God's redemption,  and that we are bound to love all our  fellow sinners -- not just those whose sins are like our own.  But we also  believe in repentance and the process of sanctification,  and require that of  our church officers.  Please convey that on your web site.'  Pastor Ron Pinder jr., Woodbury Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida

        I want to thank Pastor Pinder for updating me on this decision and helping me better understand the PC USA's position on ordination of homosexuals.

    Social Service
 -Because of it's covenantal theology it stresses active human responsibility

    Missions
 -300 missionaries in foreign lands.

    Ecumenism
 -Ecumenical

    Women in the church
 -One of the places where the church has had the opportunity to live up to its proclamations for the equality of all persons is in the status that it gives women in its own life and work.

 -The first woman ordained as an elder in one of the predecessor denominations to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was in 1930, it was not until 1956 that presbyteries were permitted to ordain women to  the ministry.

 -In 1957 General Assembly included all women in all church committees including those on finances and budget.

 -The first ordination of women as elders in this denomination actually occurred in 1962. As ministers, women were ordained beginning 1965.
    (Minutes of the 183rd General Assembly (1971), United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., pp. 305-306.)

DOCTRINE
    General
 -Reformed theology
  -Revolves around Calvin's concept of the Sovereignty of God
   -T.U.L.I.P.
   -Humanities chief purpose in life is to glorify and enjoy God forever.

   Specific
 -The Bible
  -The church confesses the Scriptures to be the Word of God written, witnessing to God's self-revelation. Where that Word is read and proclaimed, Jesus Christ the Living Word is present     by the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. (Book of Order W-2.2001)
  -Leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can be expected to affirm that "... the Scriptures of  the Old and New Testaments...[are]...., by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God's Word to [them]." (Book of Order G-14.0405b.2)

 WORSHIP
    General
 -Non-liturgical ; the Westminster Directory and the Book of Common Order could be used as a strict  order of worship but is often used as a guide.
 -The SERMON is the heart of the worship service in the Presbyterian church.
 -Lots of prayers and Scripture reading in service.
 -Follow the liturgical year.
 -Some churches have become involved in the liturgical movement and are more formal in their worship.
 -More cerebral and verbal than emotional it value understanding, learning and propriety

    Sacraments
 -Sacraments are signs of the real presence and power of Christ in the Church, symbols of God's action. Through the Sacraments, God seals believers in redemption, renews their identity as the people of God,    and marks them for service." (Book of Order W-1.3033.2)

 Baptism
  -In Baptism, the Holy Spirit binds the Church in covenant to its Creator and Lord. The water of  baptism symbolizes the waters of creation, of the flood, and of the Exodus from Egypt. Thus, the    water of Baptism links us to the goodness of God's creation and to the grace of God's covenants     with Noah and Israel. Prophets of Israel, amidst the failure of their own generation to honor     God's covenant, called for justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing     stream. (Amos 5:24) They envisioned a fresh expression of God's grace and of creation's goodness -- a new covenant accompanied by the sprinkling of cleansing water. In his ministry,     Jesus offered the gift of living water. So, Baptism is the sign and seal of God's grace and     covenant in Christ. (Book of Order W-2.3003)

  -Baptism enacts and seals what the Word proclaims: God's redeeming grace offered to all people. Baptism is God's gift of grace and also God's summons to respond to that grace. Baptism calls to repentance, to faithfulness, and to discipleship. Baptism gives the church its identity and  commissions the church for ministry to the world. (Book of Order W-2.3006)

  -The water used for Baptism should be common to the location, and shall be applied to the person    by pouring, sprinkling, or immersion. By whatever mode, the water should be applied visibly and  generously. (Book of Order W-3.3605)

  -Baptism is received only once. (Book of Order W-2.3009)

  -As there is one body, there is one Baptism. (Eph. 4:4-6) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  recognizes all Baptisms with water in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit     administered by other Christian churches. (Book of Order W-2.3010)

  Infant Baptism
   -The Bible declares that God claimed humanity as God's own "before the foundation of  the world." (Ephesians 1:4)

   -Both believers and their children are included in God's covenant love. Children of  believers are to be baptized without undue delay, but without undue haste.

   -Baptism, whether administered to those who profess their faith or to those presented for Baptism as children, is one and the same Sacrament.

   -The Baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God's love claims people before they  are able to respond in faith. (Book of Order W-2.3008)

   -Baptism, therefore, usually occurs during infancy, though a person may be baptized at  any age. Parents bring their baby to church, where they publicly declare their desire that  he or she be baptized. When an infant or child is baptized the church commits itself to nurture the child in faith.

   -When adults are baptized they make a public profession of faith.

   -Baptism distinguishes children of those who believe in God's redemptive power from  children of nonbelievers.

   -Baptism signifies
    -the faithfulness of God
    -the washing away of sin
    -rebirth
    -putting on the fresh garment of Christ
    -being sealed by God's Spirit
    -adoption into the covenant family of the Church
    -resurrection and illumination in Christ. (Book of Order W-2.3004)

  -Its effect is not tied to the moment when it is administered, for it signifies the beginning of life in  Christ, not its completion.
  -Baptism is almost always administered as part of a worship service. In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), baptism must be authorized by the session of a particular congregation and performed  by a minister.

 Lord's Supper
  -The Lord's Supper is the sign and seal of eating and drinking in communion with the crucified  and risen Lord. (Book of Order W-2.4001a)

  -Around the Table of the Lord, God's people are in communion with Christ and with all who belong to Christ. Reconciliation with Christ compels reconciliation with one another.

  -All the baptized faithful are to be welcomed to the Table, and none shall be excluded because of  race, sex, age, economic status, social class, handicapping condition, difference of culture or  language, or any barrier created by human injustice. Coming to the Lord's Table the faithful are     actively to seek reconciliation in every instance of conflict or division between them and their     neighbors. (Book of Order W-2.4006)

  -The Lord's Supper is to be observed on the Lord's Day, in the regular place of worship. It is appropriate to celebrate the Lord's Supper as often as each Lord's Day. It is to be celebrated     regularly and frequently enough to be recognized as integral to the Service for the Lord's Day.     (Book of Order W-2.4009)

  -The invitation to the Lord's Supper is extended to all who have been baptized, remembering that  access to the Table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love. (Book of Order W-2.4011a)

    Order
 -The order of a Sunday worship service in a Presbyterian church is determined by the pastor and the Session, the church's governing body.
 -It generally includes prayer, music, Bible reading and a sermon based upon scripture. The Sacraments, an offering, and a sharing of community concerns are also parts of worship.

GOVERNMENT
 -Presbyterian
  -Active, representational leadership of both clergy and laity.
  -Developed by John Calvin.
  -Church governing authority is primarily located in elected lay persons from the local  congregations known as Elders.
  -Presbyterian comes from the Greek word for elder.
  -Elders and Ministers of the Word and Sacrament exercise leadership, government and discipline and have responsibility for the life of the local church.
  -A group of Elders elected to govern a local church is called a Session.
  -Other governing bodies are
   -presbyteries (several local churches)
   -synods (several presbyteries)
   -General Assembly (denominational representation)
   -Members who serve on these governing bodies are called 'presbyters'
 -All property is owned by the denomination