Frustrated by rigid orthodoxies? Wish you could have a voice in church policies? Turned off by churches that won’t ordain or elect women to office?

Then the Presbyterian Church USA is for you!

John Calvin was the first major theologian to admit that the church and its leaders misinterpret scripture and fail to live in obedience to the Way of Jesus.

Let that sink-in for a moment.

We don’t believe “the world” is outside of God’s love while “the Church” has a monopoly on truth!

We are able to claim the work of the Holy Spirit in other cultures, religions and denominations—even in “secular” realms such as politics, humanities and the arts. His skepticism about the human condition gave Presbyterians a unique gift to worldwide Christianity.

Our system refuses to fix Truth in any policy, doctrine or rule of faith save the person of Jesus Christ. The call to serve the church as an officer is a call to discern the work of the Holy Spirit in a community of concern, care and deliberation.

The “elders” (the name is derived from the Greek presbyteros), form a leadership team known, from the Scottish term “kirk-session”, as a Session. This term emphasizes the functional and temporary authority of the body over against a more hierarchical and permanent understanding of holding office.

Both men and women are eligible for all elected and ordained offices of the church. Broadway Presbyterian further declares (see our “Statement of Welcome”) that no barrier exists for persons previously denied full participation because of race, class, sexual orientation, educational level or any other arbitrary reason.

Meeting about 10 times a year, Session members make policies for the local church on matters such as budget priorities, mission (purpose) goals, ethical guidelines for the treatment of staff and fellow members, and our stance on issues in society. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don’t. Always, we remind ourselves that we are an important part of the body of Christ in New York City and the world. We are committed to worship, to eat, to pray, to serve and to think together that we might grow in our relationships to God and one another.

Representatives from our congregation join other Presbyterian leaders in a regional body called Presbytery, which governs the New York City churches in our denomination, and once every two years delegates gather nationally at General Assembly to decide what the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s priorities, stances on public issues and strategies for growth and social transformation will be.