Presbyterianism is a Reformed (Calvinist) Protestant tradition named for its form of church government by representative assemblies of elders. Though there are other Reformed churches that are structurally similar, the word Presbyterian is applied to churches that trace their roots to the Church of Scotland or to English Dissenter groups that formed during the English Civil War.
The Presbyterian Church (USA), abbreviated PCUSA, is a mainline Protestant denomination in the United States. It is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country, known for its liberal stance on doctrine and its ordaining of women and members of the LGBT community as elders and ministers. The Presbyterian Church (USA) was established with the 1983 merger of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, whose churches were located in the Southern and border states, with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, whose congregations could be found in every state.
Presbyterianpolity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply. Groups of local churches are governed by a higher assembly of elders known as the presbytery or classis; presbyteries can be grouped into a synod, and presbyteries and synods nationwide often join together in a general assembly. Responsibility for conduct of church services is reserved to an ordained minister or pastor known as a teaching elder, or a minister of the word and sacrament.
The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is the second-largest Presbyterian church body, behind the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the largest conservative Calvinist denomination in the United States. The PCA is Reformed in theology and presbyterian in government.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian denomination spawned by the Second Great Awakening. In 2019, it had 65,087 members and 673 congregations, of which 51 were located outside of the United States. The word Cumberland comes from the Cumberland River valley where the church was founded.
The Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland is a non-creedal Christian denomination, which maintains a great emphasis on individual conscience in matters of Christian faith.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is a Presbyterian denomination, serving in Canada under this name since 1875. The United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939. According to the Canada 2021 Census 301,400 Canadians identify themselves as Presbyterian, that is, 0.8 percent of the population.
Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) is a Presbyterian denomination headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. In Kenya, 10% of the population is Presbyterian. It was started by missionaries from Scotland, most notable of whom was Dr John Arthur. It has its headquarters in Nairobi South C.
The Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad, formerly known as the Korean Presbyterian Church in America, is an independent Presbyterian denomination in the United States. It was founded in 1976 as a union of 3 Korean language Presbyteries. The mother church was the Presbyterian Church in Korea (TongHap). The church has close relationship with the PC(USA) and the Korean Christian Church in Japan. In 2004 it had 29,000 members and 263 congregations. According to the recent statistics it has 55,000 members and 302 congregations. Official languages are English and Korean. The church uses the Westminster Confession and the Apostles Creed. Since 2010 it formed an English speaking presbytery. KPCA is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. It is also a member of the interdenominational associations National Council of Churches and Christian Churches Together.
The Reformed Churches in South Africa is a Christian denomination in South Africa that was formed in 1859 in Rustenburg. Members of the church are sometimes referred to as Doppers.
The Presbyterian Church of the Philippines (PCP), officially The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the Philippines, is a growing evangelical, Bible-based Reformed church in the Philippines. It was officially founded by in 1986 and the General Assembly was organized in September 1996.
The General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (GAPCK), also known as Yejang Hapdong (Korean: 예장합동) or just Hapdong, is an Evangelical Presbyterian denomination, which is the biggest Christian church in South Korea. The headquarters of the church is in Seoul, South Korea.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (KoRyuPa) is an orthodox Calvinist denomination in South Korea. The church is also known as the Korean Reformed Presbyterian Church. The denomination was a result of the split of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Koshin) due tensions in the KoRyu Seminary. Pastor Park Yun-Sun moved to Seoul and founded the Reformed Theological Seminary. To avoid division Park returned to Koshin but Chung Hun-Teuk took over as the director in the Seminary. In 1965 about 50 pastors was associated with the Seminary. The denomination has close contact with conservative Reformed churches in Japan, Netherlands and the United States. The church has approximately 80,000 members in 500 congregations and 16 presbyteries. No women ordination. It had 501 ordained ministers. The church subscribes the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Apostles Creed. Since 1977 the leading figure of the church has been Yoo Don-Sik, who also directs the Reformed Theological Seminary too.
The Reformed Church in Japan is a confessional Calvinist denomination in Japan. It was formerly a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, but it chose to suspend its membership.
The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Taiwan was officially established in 1971 when the First Presbytery was formed as a result of the union of various conservative Presbyterian and Continental Reformed congregations planted by various missionary groups. Its origin could be traced back to the 1950s when the very first missionaries of those Presbyterian and Continental Reformed missionaries arrived in Taiwan.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (ChanYang) was formed in 1987 by Pastor Park Jong-Hwa. Five Presbyteries were established and founded the denomination in El Bethel Church (ChangYang) in 1988. It has 13,748 members in 57 congregations and 8 Presbyteries and a General Assembly. The Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession are the official standards. There is no female ordination of pastors. Member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (Ko-Ryu-Anti-Accusation) is a conservative Presbyterian denomination in South Korea. It split from the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Koshin). Koshin General assembly was divided into Anti-accusation and accusation groups. The General assembly decided to bring song Sang-Suk to court the anti accusation group separated in 1976. Later KoRyu divided and a significant part reunited with Koshin. In 2004 it had almost 200 congregations and 66,345 members and 391 ordained ministers. The church subscribes the Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession.
The HoHun church separated from the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong). In 1961 25 delegates to the Assembly among the Pastor Kim Yun-Chan and Pastor Kim Yun-Chan formed a special association for the safeguard of the conservative Reformed faith. The following year they formed HoHun. Conflict in leadership arose in the early 1960s. A group led by Pastor Lee Do-Bong sought to prolong Park Byung-Hun in the leadership. A new moderator Rev. Song Jae-Muk separated and formed the Presbyterian Church in Korea HwanWon. A clash occurred in the denomination. Later the church had overcome successfully of the financial difficulties. Rev. Sin Eun-Kyun was elected as moderator. A year later Park Byung-Hun and his followers separated, after Park's death most of his former followers returned to HoHun. In 1982 the church established the Committee for Combining Denominations. Several small denominations joined HoHun as a result. In 2004 it had 120,000 members and 910 congregations in 39 Presbyteries and a General Assembly. The Church adheres to the Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession.
