The Presbytery is a representative body composed of ministers who serve congregations within a geographical area. It performs the responsibilities of a bishop, overseeing congregations, ordaining and installing ministers, judging disputes and providing services that congregations could not provide separately. Ministers of Word and Sacrament are members of the presbytery, not congregations, and the presbytery is required for a change in the terms of their call or location.
Synods often encompasses several states and are responsible for presbyteries within their bounds.