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The next level is the presbytery formed by all the congregations
and ministers in a geographic area together with elders selected
(proportional to congregation size) from each of the congregations.
A few PC(USA) synods (see below) have a non-geographical presbytery
for Korean language Presbyterian congregations. There is one non-geographical
presbytery for Native American congregations, the Dakota Presbytery.
Only the presbytery (not a congregation, session, synod, or General
Assembly) has the responsibility and authority to ordain, install,
or remove ministers to and from congregations. Presbytery also acts
as a court of appeal from sessions. Members of the congregation
generally choose their own pastor with the assistance and support
of the presbytery, the presbytery must approve the choice and officially
install the pastor in the position. Additionally, the presbytery
must consent if the congregation wants to remove their pastor from
office. The presbytery has authority over many affairs of its local
congregations. Only the presbytery can approve the establishment,
dissolution, or merger of congregations. The moderator of the presbytery,
as well as a stated clerk, is elected annually. All pastors of congregations
in a presbytery are members of the presbytery, not of their own
congregation. Additionally, an executive presbyter is often appointed
as an administrative staff member to care for the day-to-day duties
of the presbytery. A presbytery must elect a moderator and a clerk,
but the choice to hire an executive presbyter is optional. Presbyteries
must meet at least twice a year, but they have the discretion to
meet more often. |