Page 13 - Presbyterian Connection, Spring 2024

Connection
What’s important to us
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SPRING 2024
PRESBYTERIAN
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Committees
The work of the denomination is overseen by committees consisting of people nominated by presbyteries and congregations from across Canada. Through committees and working groups, the General Assembly advises the moderator, conrms church doctrine, participates in healing and reconciliation, and supports congregations, Indigenous ministries and more. In 2023, there were over 245 people serving on over 30 committees and working groups. Each year around 200 commissioners from congregations across Canada form the General Assembly to determine the church’s direction.
Boards and Agencies
There are a number of independent boards and agencies that report to the General Assembly and whose mandates support The Presbyterian Church in Canada. They provide theological education and building loans to congregations, administer pension and benets, run the Presbyterian Church Heritage Centre, provide summer camps and more.
Telling the biblical story in ever-new and creative ways.
Pointing to Christ’s redemptive work and the Spirit’s life-changing presence.
Serving others with the love of Christ.
Striving to use God’s gifts wisely and fairly for the good of all.
Providing places of sanctuary, tranquility and renewal.
Calling for personal righteousness, justice, and healing and reconciliation in the church and the world.
Learning from people of different denominations and faiths and working together to heal the nations.
(extracted from Acts & Proceedings of the 121st General Assembly, 1995) How we work together
Presbyterians participate in mission and ministry together by participating in and sharing in the care and oversight of congregational ministry and supporting ministries and outreach at regional, national and international levels. We work together at four different levels, with ministers and elders sharing in leadership at all levels. In 2024:
780
congregations
43
Presbyteries
Sy8
Synods bring together presbyteries to work together in mission, supporting learning opportunities and camping ministries.
nods
Members and adherents can participate fully in the life of a congregation. Sessions oversee the overall ministry of congregations, including pastoral care, worship, Christian education, stewardship and mission.
Presbyteries oversee congregations and ministries within its bounds.
Ge1
General Assembly receives and discusses reports, overtures and appeals from committees, congregations, presbyteries and synods. Trusting the Holy Spirit, the Assembly makes decisions to guide the ministry of the church at all levels. General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the church, made up an equal number of ministers and lay leaders representing congregations in presbyteries from across Canada.
neral Assembly