Presbyterianism is a part of the reformed tradition within Protestantism, which traces its origins to Britain, particularly Scotland.
Presbyterian polity 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 and the largest conservative Reformed denomination in the United States. The PCA is Reformed in theology, Presbyterian in government, and active in missions. It is characterized by a blend of Reformed practice and broad evangelicalism.
The Laos Mission was founded in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand by the Rev. Daniel McGilvary and Mrs. Sophia McGilvary in April 1867. It was established as a mission of the Board of Foreign Missions, Presbyterian Church in the United States.
The Korean Presbyterian Church in America now Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad 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.
The National Presbyterian Church in Mexico is the second-largest Protestant church, and the largest Reformed denomination in Mexico. It is present throughout the country, and is particularly strong in the states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan, Nuevo León, Aguascalientes and Mexico City.
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 in 1987 and the General Assembly was organized in September 1996.
The Reformed Presbyterian Church of India is a historic confessional Presbyterian denomination in India, established in the 19th century by Scottish and Irish missionaries.
Korean American Presbyterian Church is a conservative Presbyterian denomination in the United States and Canada.
The Reformed Church in Japan is a confessional Reformed denomination in Japan. It was formerly a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, but it chose to suspend its membership.
The Union Presbyterian Church in Korea was organised in 1990 when Mok Presbytery was organised. Later it changed its name to YunHap Assembly. In 1992 it was constituted as a church. It has almost 11,000 members and 20 congregations in 2004. The Westminster Confession is generally accepted.
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.
In South Korea, there are roughly 20.5 million Christians of whom 15 million are Protestants; of those some 9 to 10 million are Presbyterians. Presbyterians in South Korea worship in over 100 different Presbyterian denominational churches who trace their history back to the United Presbyterian Assembly.
The Korea Jesus Presbyterian Church was a result in a split within the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Koshin). Kim Suk-Chan wanted to join the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong) with his congregation the MunChan Church. Song San-Shuk respected his decision, but questioned his right to involve the whole congregation. Koshin was divided in this issue. Some felt that the church should not go to court, the General Assembly hesitated. One of the Presbytery suspended relations with the General assembly. This group organised in 1960 a council, in 1967 they opened a high school and in 1969 the Covenant Seminary was formed. Finally in 1975 a new denomination was formed. In 1980 Presbyterian Church in Korea (KayShin) name was adopted. the Leading figure was Lee Byung-Gyu. The Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession are the official standards. In 2004 it had 21,712 members in 135 congregations in 11 Presbyteries and a General assembly.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (DongShin) was founded in 1972 as a result of a split in the Presbyterian Church in Korea (DokNoHoe). Two groups in the DokNoHpe opposed each other under the leadership of Kim Chang-Gil and Chung Dae-Shin. The DaeShin grew, but suffered further divisions.Bang-Bo Shin and GaeHyukJeongTong, and Presbyterian Church in Korea (BoSu) also separated. DongShin become a small denomination largely in and around Seoul. The Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession are the generally accepted standards. In 2004 there was 5,264 members and 56 congregations.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDongSeongHoe) came into existence out of a desire to maintain the unity of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (BoSuHapDong). But a number of concerned pastors formed this denomination in 1987. They want to "gather the members in a holy meeting". The denomination subscribes the Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession. In 2004 it had 10,013 members in 78 congregations and 64 ordained ministers in 5 Presbyteries.
The origin of the Pure Presbyterian Church in Korea go back to the North. During the Japanese occupation five churches separated from NamHam Presbytery in HamKyungNamDo Province and kept their spirit of martyrdom. The leader was Pastor Lee Gye-Sil. During the Korean war Pastor Lee and hundreds of its follower fled to the South. After liberation they went their own way. They built a church and seminary in GuJae Island. In the same year they unite with Presbyterian Church in Korea (JaeGun), but the union was soon dissolved. and 6 JaeGun congregation stayed with SunJang. In 1956 they founded an independent seminary and the Dukchun Church. Pastor Lee become the president of the seminary. In 1979 it adopted the name SungJang. It subscribes the Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession. In 2004 it had 12,775 members in 25 congregations and 9 Presbyteries of whom 3 outside Korea.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea is a Presbyterian denomination in South Korea. Leadership issue went to the split of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (DokNoHoe). The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Korea Ahn Mo-Myung went to the United States in 1981 Pastor Chung Nam-Young acted as proxy. The General assembly of the DokNoHoe church elected Rev. Pastor Yoo Yong-Hyun as moderator. Rev. Chung Nam-Young and Rev. Bang Byung-Duk withdrew from DokNoHoe and formed the DokNoHoe II. In 2004 it had 4,000 members and 25 congregations. Women are not ordained. The church subscribes the Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession.
