SESSION

The reason we are called Presbyterians is because we are ruled by Elders (in Greek means Presbyters) which make up the Session.

THE SESSION: A COUNCIL OF THE CHURCH AND EXPRESSION OF UNITY & MUTUALITY

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is governed by councils, which “exist to help congregations and the church as a whole be more faithful participants in the mission of Christ.” The councils of the church are the session, the presbytery, the synod and the General Assembly. The session is the council for the congregation and is composed of ruling elders, elected by the congregation to active service, as well as all installed pastors and associate pastors.

Councils serve as an expression of the unity of the church and “all councils of the church are united by the nature of the church and share with one another responsibilities, rights and powers as provided by the Constitution.”  Along these lines, each council remains subject to the review of the next higher council. Our polity envisions a system of unity, mutuality and accountability where councils communicate and work together to make important decisions impacting the faith and mission of the whole church. Our polity presupposes a fellowship of love and trust where important constitutional matters are not decided unilaterally, but where lower councils collaborate with higher counsels to prayerfully discern the mind of Christ and work through decisions that will impact the mission of the church. Through dialogue and working together on important and often difficult decisions, sessions, presbyteries, synods and the General Assembly can help the whole church understand more fully what it means for us to be a community of faith, hope, love and witness 

THE SESSION: DISCERNING LEADERS ATTENDING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

The session is responsible for governing the congregation and guiding its witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love and witness.  In seeking to help the congregation be and become this community, the session has an important role as it engages in prayerful discernment and attends to how God’s Spirit may be at work in the congregation and in the broader community. Along these lines, we recognize that ruling elders are provided “with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people” and that “together with Ministers of the Word and Sacrament (Pastor), exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment and discipline and have responsibilities for the life a congregation as well as the whole church…”

THE SESSION’S RESPONSIBILITIES 

As it seeks to lead and guide the congregation, the session is to keep before it the Marks of the Church, the Notes of the Reformed Church, and the Great Ends of the Church. The session’s main responsibilities and powers fall within three broad categories tied to the Notes of the Church: 

Providing the word of God may be truly preached and heard; 2) Providing the Sacraments be rightly administered and received; and 3) Nurturing the covenant community of Christ’s disciples.

Those currently serving on Session:

Tiffany Dauer

Jeff Enger

Danielle Giesler

Charley Keesee

Steve Koehn

Gail Martin

Mary Reed

Mark Sherfy

Mary Jo Stewart

Links of intererest: 

Presbytery of the Northern Plains website: www.northernplainspresbytery.com

PCUSA website: www.pcusa.org

Synod of Lakes and Prairies website: www.lakesandprairies.org