As of December 1996 we had 1338 churches and 277,899 members. Of the nine Presbyterian denominations in North America, the P.C.A. is the fastest growing. Together we are lifting high a banner of love and testimony to Jesus Christ the Lord, locally and globally. A Scriptural Denomination Our Church seeks to be scriptural in both its government and its doctrine. There are two kinds of elders.
Teaching elders are pastors.
Ruling elders are ordained laymen. It has been the form followed by the great Reformed and Presbyterian branches of Christendom since the days of John Calvin in Europe and John Knox in England and Scotland. This session has the oversight of the faith and life of the local church congregation. The presbytery has oversight of the ministries of the churches in a given geographical area. Through the presbytery the work of many churches is coordinated and their combined efforts enable them to extend the Kingdom of Christ much farther than would otherwise be possible.