Presbyterian churches are led by an elected group of Elders. A Pastor is called by the congregation and serves under an agreement or Terms of Call. Each congregation is part of a Presbytery and sends representatives to Presbytery meetings and committees. A Presbytery is part of a larger group called a Synod. Prebyteries and Synods often have a geographical basis, but not always limited to a single state. The whole church convenes, through elected representatives, in a General Assemby, or in some cases a General Synod, at a specific interval determined by the denomination. Issues are discussed and voted on at the General Assembly and in some cases need to be ratified by a certain percentage of Presbyteries before becoming part of the church laws or rules.
Featured book:
A Brief History of the Presbyterians by All quotations are taken from the denomination's website unless otherwise noted.