Crossroads Presbyterian Church - Mequon, Cedarburg, Grafton, Milwaukee churches

Crossroads Presbyterian Church - Mequon, Thiensville, Cedarburg, Grafton, Milwaukee, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin churches, Christian Preschool Education, Contemporary and Traditional Worship Services
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Who We Are | What Is The Presbyterian Church (USA)?

What is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)?

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a representative democracy governed by elders elected from and by the congregation. Authority resides with the duly elected representatives of the congregation in the appointed church governing bodies. The local church governing body is the session. Local sessions oversee the day-to-day work of the church.

The overall church structure is made up of four governing bodies:

  • Session or local governing body:
    • ordained ministers (ministers of the Word and Sacrament) and elders, all elected by the congregation.

  • Presbytery:
    • elders and ministers from congregations who oversee several churches in a designated geographical area i.e. Presbytery of Milwaukee

  • Synod:
    • representatives elected from each presbytery to oversee several presbyteries i.e. Synod of Lakes and Prairies.

  • General Assembly:
    • the national governing body made up of equal numbers of laypeople and clergy chosen by the presbyteries; they meet every other year.

    The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a two part constitution:

  • Book of Confessions:
    • series of creeds and confessions written over time that reflect our beliefs.

  • Book of Order:
    • three part book that details how we are governed, how we worship and how we disciple ourselves as the body of Christ.

    Links to related websites:
    The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with denominational offices in Louisville, Kentucky, has approximately 2.4 million members, 11,100 congregations and 14,000 ordained and active ministers. Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.
    The Presbytery of Milwaukee has 48 congregations and serves 11,280 members living in 11 counties in southeastern Wisconsin. This region includes a range of rural, urban and suburban geography. The Presbytery is also home to Carroll College a Presbyterian college, and Presbyterian Homes of Wisconsin providing senior living communities.
    The Synod of Lakes and Prairies, an intermediate governmental body of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., is made up of sixteen presbyteries in the upper midwest. It is responsible for the mission of the church throughout this designated geographical region. The following presbyteries comprised our Synod: Central Nebraska, Dakota, Des Moines, East Iowa, Homestead, John Knox, Milwaukee, Missouri River Valley, Minnesota Valleys, North Central Iowa, Northern Plains, Northern Waters, Prospect Hill, South Dakota, Twin Cities Area and Winnebago.
    As followers of Jesus Christ, seeking to conform our lives and beliefs to the Word of God, our mission is to participate in God's renewing, transforming work in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
    The vision of Youth Conference Ministries is to minister to young people in such a way that they would experience the power of God in their lives daily. Our mission is to awaken a desire for Christ in young people so that they will return from our programs to their local church empowered to live for Him.