Presbytery.
It is part of our name, Presbyterian.
Some love Presbytery; some detest it and some ignore it. Some, like Walter Bryden, suggest that "Presbyterian systems are often so grotesquely abused and so ineffectively operated that the genius of that system has seldom been permitted to reveal itself at its best."
Who is behind the 'genius' of Presbyterian systems? What is Presbytery supposed to look like? How is it to function? Who is it to serve? What was the original idea behind this institution so reviled and revered? While this article cannot answer every question, it can begin to explore the foundations of the 'presbytery' – foundations that take us back to the legacy of John Calvin.
Calvin sought to be faithful to God and to scripture in all things, including the organization and order of the Church. His highly developed doctrine of the church decreed, "The holy Christian Church, whose only head is Christ, is born of the Word of God, and abides in the same, and listens not to the voice of the stranger." The Church's faith, worship and order must proclaim and reflect God's Word. Calvin envisioned and established a Church based on Biblical principles of leadership by Spirit-gifted people, among whom were 'elders.' The word comes from the Greek presbuteros, which means 'elder' (an indication of leadership, not age!). In reaction to excesses and abuses of church governance in his day, Calvin exhorted that the church was to be organized and ordered through a system of elder-leadership: a leadership from among the body of Christ, not a hierarchically-appointed or successor based position of higher authority. The order of the Church's life
is essential to maintain faithfulness to God's Word. The governance of the Church, under Christ, was not to reside in any one person, but in a body of believers called to the particular ministries of teaching and ruling God's people.
Calvin's work and ministry in the Swiss city of Geneva shaped not only his congregation but the entire city and culture. In his Draft Ecclesial Ordinances, he proposed the establishment of two institutions in Geneva: the Consistory and the Company of Pastors.
The Consistory, composed of pastors (teaching elders) and ruling elders was responsible for church order and discipline, and meted out disciplinary action. The primary concern of the Consistory was the oversight of moral behaviour and the promotion of personal sanctification. The records of the Consistory are filled with examples of cases brought before the 'court' and the consequences issued. Ministers and elders were intimately involved in the lives of parishioners in a way that most would find intrusive and unwarranted in today's culture.
The Company of Pastors was responsible for examination and ordination of ministers, continuing biblical and theological education, mutual theological and ethical encouragement, and missionary work in neighbouring countries. The Company met weekly for worship, study of the Bible, prayer, theological debate and discussion, and encouragement in their ministries. While Calvin's lectures and writings undoubtedly served as the primary framework for the day, the pastors themselves presented ideas and issues for theological reflection, discussion and prayer. Pastors at a distance from Geneva attended once per month, and wrote letters to their colleagues in between, requesting the advice and assistance of their peers. While Calvin would become troubled at times with the direction of the Consistory, the legacy of the Venerable Company of Pastors was one that brought him deep gratitude. The Company produced ministers who were seen as more passionate, well-informed, and dedicated to
serving God and God's people than before the Company was established.
The 'presbytery,' as we know it, is a combination of the Consistory and the Company of Pastors. Presbyteries are composed of one minister and one ruling elder from each pastoral charge within the geographic bounds, in keeping with Calvin's efforts to avoid 'clericalism.' Matters of administration and discipline regarding congregations and ministers are under the authority and oversight of the Presbytery, as is the examination and ordination of candidates for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.
The 'other side' of Presbytery as practiced by Calvin – "Continuing biblical and theological education, mutual theological and ethical encouragement" – has almost disappeared as lengthy reports and debates surrounding business and administration matters overwhelm most Canadian Presbytery agendas. They are stretched to the breaking point as they attempt to deal with clergy and congregational conflict and crisis, often over geographic distances half the size of Switzerland. Inspired and inspiring discussions, biblical and theological study, vocational and personal support and encouragement often happen by chance at Presbytery and not by design – bereft of the careful planning and purpose in Calvin's establishment of The Venerable Company of Pastors.
As we look for hope in our denomination and our congregations, perhaps a renewal of the Presbytery with Calvin's 'genius' as a foundation would be a place to start. The ongoing renewal of those in leadership – both teaching and ruling elders – in some form of "Company" could well kindle fresh flames of the Spirit and a fresh passion and vision for our ministry and mission under Christ. What if Presbytery meetings intentionally included more time spent in worship, in Biblical study, theological education and spiritual formation?
Even as Calvin boldly pioneered the establishment of the Consistory and the Company in his time of Reformation, perhaps our time for reformation also requires such bold pioneers in the presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
