Theologically speaking I suppose I would have to answer this question by saying that I am Presbyterian by God’s providence and grace. Defining ‘presbyterian’ might be a better place to start. In its simplest form, ‘presbyteryian’ means ‘elder ruled’ or run by elders. It refers primarily to governance in the church.  The word presbyterian comes from the Greek word for elder. It is a representative form of government in which knowledge of the flock by the elders is assumed. It secondarily speaks of theological positions.

I grew up in a church that utilized a presbyterian form of government and when I graduated from college and began my first search for a church on my own, out from under my parent’s direction, I naturally gravitated to a church with a presbyterian form of government.

As a pastor in this denomination I willingly and eagerly subscribe to the governance position that our denomination holds. In other words, I sign my name to a document saying that I believe that the presbyterian form of government is the form best represented in the Bible. And I do so without hesitation or pain of conscience. What I grew up knowing through my parent’s direction is what I have come to embrace myself.

Why? Because it is biblical. Exodus 18 shows Jethro instructing Moses in the need for a plurality of elders in order to stave off death by overload of duties. Was that mere pragmatism or divine instruction? Since it is recorded in Scripture I would say both. Acts 15 describes the first church council. At this council, elders from surrounding churches came to discuss and deliberate upon the biblical answers to current issues in the churches. Paul speaks to the elders from Ephesus in Acts 20 and encourages Titus to appoint elders in the churches he establishes on Crete.

I have to admit that there are times when I don’t like being presbyterian. I do not like being associated with all presbyterians. There are many flavors of presbyterianism. Some are more rigid in their governance and views of worship than I think is biblical or godly. Others are too liberal when it comes to social issues and are completely wrong in their outright rejection of the authority of Scripture. I guess I’m like most people who want others to hold views that are similar to mine. That would definitely be easier but I know it would not be best. I need those to the right of me to keep me from going left and I need those to the left of me to scare me enough to keep me from going left.

Anyway, that’s why I’m a presbyterian.