Our Denomination

Animated PCUSA Seal — The PC(USA) cross animated to display the symbols included in the image. They are: the cross, dove, fish, book, pulpit, chalice, and fire.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a mainline Protestant denomination in the United States, known for its liberal stance on doctrine and its ordaining of women and members of the LGBT community as elders and ministers. It was formed in 1983 through a reunion of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the Presbyterian Church in the United States, which had previously split in 1861 over whether missionaries could own slaves.

A key part of our beliefs is that our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation through Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments.

Presbyterians are a part of a larger branch of the Christian church called the Reformed Tradition. That tradition encompasses several denominations, including Presbyterian, Congregational, and Reformed Baptist churches, as well as parts of the Anglican tradition.

The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) consists of two parts: the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order.

The Book of Confessions

The Book of Confessions is designated as "Part 1" of the PC(USA) Constitution. "Part 2" is the Book of Order. The Book of Confessions contains statements from various ancient and modern Christian communities. It reveals how they understood and interpreted the Bible and the way of Jesus in their particular time and place. It provides guidance as we study and interpret Scripture today. It includes these documents.

   • The Nicene Creed
   • The Apostles’ Creed
   • The Scots Confession
   • The Heidelberg Catechism
   • The Second Helvetic Confession
   • The Westminster Confession of Faith
   • The Shorter Catechism
   • The Larger Catechism
   • The Theological Declaration of Barmen
   • The Confession of 1967
   • The Confession of Belhar
   • A Brief Statement of Faith–Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The Book of Order

The cover of the PCUSA Book of Order — Click the image above to download the *PCUSA Book of Order*.

The Book of Order is a governing document of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It contains guidance about how to organize and govern congregations within our branch of the Christian church.

The Book of Order is divided into four parts:

   • The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity
   • Form of Government
   • Directory for Worship
   • Rules of Discipline

The Book of Order is designated as "Part 2" of the PC(USA) Constitution. "Part 1" is the Book of Confessions.

Governing Bodies

Our Session

Our congregation, like all PC(USA) congregations, is led by a session: a group of women and men who have been elected from within our congregation and ordained to be our church's elders. Congregations meet annually to elect elders which serve staggered three-year terms.

The Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois

A presbytery is comprised of every minister and at least one elder from each congregation within its borders. Our congregation is part of the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois.Our presbytery includes 74 churches and nearly 5,000 members.

The Synod of Lincoln Trails

A synod is made up of representative elder and minister members of several presbyteries. Our presbytery is part of the Synod of Lincoln Trails. Our synod includes eight presbyteries and over 1,000 congregations in Illinois and Indiana.

The General Assembly

The General Assembly is the most inclusive ruling body of our denomination. It holds a national meeting every two years. There are currently more than 9,300 congregations and more than 1.1 million members in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).