MCC as a Presbyterian church

Murrysville Community Church is a Presbyterian church.

What is Presbyterianism?

Murrysville Community Church is a Presbyterian congregation because, unlike some other Protestant churches, we believe that the Bible teaches a specific form of church government: Presbyterianism, or the leadership of “elders.”

The Greek term, “PRESBUTEROS,” from which we get our name, simply means, elders. Elders are the ordained leaders of an individual congregation and, collectively, our denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America.

Why are we Presbyterians?

We are Presbyterians because we see Presbyterianism taught in Scripture. Here are several evidences.

First, the Apostle Paul instructs his young church planting protégé, Titus, to “put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town” (Titus 1:5). Similarly, in the book of Acts, Luke describes church planters like Paul and Barnabas appointing and ministering with the elders of local churches (Acts 14:23; 20:17; 21:18).

Secondly, to both Titus and Timothy, Paul imparts specific qualifications for that office:

6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it (Titus 1:6-9).

2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap (1 Timothy 3:2-7).

Thirdly, the Scriptures describe the specific functions entrusted to that office, things like ministering the Word of God with prayer (Acts 6:4), shepherding the flock of God (Hebrews 13:17), visiting the sick (James 5:14), and more.

Fourthly, the Scriptures show the elders of local churches connected and mutually submissive to one another. In the first century Council at Jerusalem, we see a clear pattern for regional, national, and global gatherings of elders to answer questions of doctrine, coordinate ministry, edify one another and the Church, and more (Acts 15:1-35). We replicate these bodies in our Presbytery (regionally) and General Assembly (nationally).

Fifthly, we see evidence of shared rule by elders, and no compelling Scriptural evidence for the idea of elaborate religious hierarchies. I'll note two things in that regard. First, while the Bible mentions “elders” (PRESBUTEROS), “overseers” (EPISCOPOS) and “shepherds” (POIMEN) in the Church, these are simply various names describing the aspects of a singular office. The New Testament uses these terms interchangeably to describe a singular reality (Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1,2). Secondly, the elders appointed by Christ’s apostles were clearly equal in authority, holding the same office and collectively shepherding the local, regional, and global church. Even the Apostle Peter submitted to the wisdom of his fellow elders (Galatians 2:11).

Finally, the Bible teaches that God specifically dedicates some elders to preaching and teaching. In 1 Timothy 5:17, Paul states, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” [emphasis mine]. We commonly refer to these elders as “pastors,” though Scripture uses that term interchangeably to describe all elders. Denominationally, as a more technical term, we refer to these preaching and teaching elders as “teaching elders” and their non-preaching counterparts as “ruling elders.”

What if I am not a Presbyterian?

I’d like to conclude with a note of reassurance to those reading this from a non-Presbyterian background and/or conviction. Our own Confession declares that even the “purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error” (25.6). In other words, as believers striving to know and realize the true teaching of God’s Word, we all fall short. Thankfully, we can trust that none of our individual salvations hinge on the question of church governance. It is an important though secondary matter.

Nevertheless, I’ve found that Presbyterianism has strong Scriptural moorings and – I think consequently – strong benefits to the churches and denominations embracing it.