The Presbyterian Structure

Presbyterian denominations have four levels of authority – individual congregations, presbyteries, synods, and a general assembly.

Congregations are led by a teaching elder or minister, who provides guidance in spiritual matters, and by a session, composed of ruling elders chosen by the congregation to represent the members in matters of government and discipline.

A Presbytery is composed of all the ministers and an equal number of ruling elders, including at least one from each congregation, in a given district. Although the next two levels are technically higher, the presbytery has the authority to rule on many types of material and spiritual questions.

Presbyteries unite to form a Synod, whose members are elected by those presbyteries. A synod generally meets once a year to decide matters such as the creation of new presbyteries and to pass judgment on appeals and complaints that do not affect the doctrine or constitution of the church.

A General Assembly, composed of delegations of ministers and ruling elders from each presbytery, meets yearly to decide issues of doctrine and discipline within a Presbyterian body. It also may create new synods, divide old ones and correspond with general assemblies of other Presbyterian bodies.

The Congregation of St. John’s Presbyterian Church is one of the congregations that form the Presbytery of Oak Ridges. This Presbytery consists of sixteen churches that are located in Ontario north of Steeles Avenue in Toronto, south of Lake Simcoe, east of Tottenham, and west of Markham.

Oak Ridges is one of many presbyteries that make up the Synod known as The Synod of Central, North Eastern Ontario and Bermuda

The General Assembly meets yearly at locations across Canada.