Editing Presbyterian Church (USA) (section)

===Councils===
{{Main|List of Presbyterian Church (USA) synods and presbyteries}}
{{See also|List of moderators of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA)}}
[[File:belairpresbyterianchurch.jpg|thumb|Bel Air Presbyterian Church in [[California]]]]

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has a representative form of government, known as [[presbyterian polity]], with four levels of government and administration, as outlined in the ''Book of Order''. The councils (governing bodies) are as follows: 
# Session (of a Congregation)
# Presbytery
# Synod
# General Assembly

====Session====
At the congregational level, the governing body is called the ''session'', from the Latin word ''sessio'', meaning "a sitting". The session is made up of the pastors of the church and all [[Elder (religious)|elders]] elected and installed to active service. Following a pattern set in the first congregation of Christians in Jerusalem described in the [[Book of Acts]] in the [[New Testament]], the church is governed by ''presbyters'' (a term and category that includes elders and Ministers of Word and Sacrament, historically also referred to as "ruling or canon elders" because they ''measure'' the spiritual life and work of a congregation and ministers as "teaching elders").<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.pcusa.org/theologyandworship/issues/unplumin.pdf | contribution = Undivided Plural Ministries | title = Theology & worship | publisher = PC(USA) | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090811041124/http://www.pcusa.org/theologyandworship/issues/unplumin.pdf | archive-date = August 11, 2009 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

The elders are nominated by a nominating committee of the congregation; in addition, nominations from the floor are permissible. Elders are then elected by the congregation. All elders elected to serve on the congregation's session of elders are required to undergo a period of study and preparation for this order of ministry, after which the session examines the elders-elect as to their personal faith; knowledge of doctrine, government, and discipline contained in the Constitution of the church, and the duties of the office of elder. If the examination is approved, the session appoints a day for the service of ordination and installation.{{Sfn | General Assembly | 2009 | loc = G-14.0240}} Session meetings are normally moderated by a called and installed pastor and minutes are recorded by a clerk, who is also an ordained presbyter. If the congregation does not have an installed pastor, the Presbytery appoints a minister member or elected member of the presbytery as moderator with the concurrence of the local church session.{{Sfn | General Assembly | 2009 | loc = G-9.0202b}} The moderator presides over the session as [[first among equals]] and also serves as a "liturgical" bishop over the ordination and installation of elders and deacons within a particular congregation.

The session guides and directs the ministry of the local church, including almost all spiritual and fiduciary leadership. The congregation as a whole has only the responsibility to vote on: 1) the call of the pastor (subject to presbytery approval) and the terms of call (the church's provision for compensating and caring for the pastor); 2) the election of its own officers (elders and deacons); 3) buying, mortgaging, or selling real property. All other church matters such as the budget, personnel matters, and all programs for spiritual life and mission, are the responsibility of the session. In addition, the session serves as an ecclesiastical court to consider disciplinary charges brought against church officers or members.

The session also oversees the work of the [[deacons]], a second body of leaders also tracing its origins to the Book of Acts. The deacons are a congregational-level group whose duty is "to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith." In some churches, the responsibilities of the deacons are taken care of by the session, so there is no board of deacons in that church. In some states, churches are legally incorporated and members or elders of the church serve as trustees of the corporation. However, "the power and duties of such trustees shall not infringe upon the powers and duties of the Session or of the board of deacons." The deacons are a ministry board but not a governing body.

====Presbytery====
[[File:Presbyterian church.jpg|thumb|left|Third Presbyterian Church, [[Staunton, Virginia]]]]

A ''presbytery'' is formed by all the congregations and the Ministers of Word and Sacrament in a geographic area together with elders selected (proportional to congregation size) from each of the congregations. Four special presbyteries are "non-geographical" in that they overlay other English-speaking presbyteries, though they are geographically limited to the boundaries of a particular synod (see [[#Synod|below]]); it may be more accurate to refer to them as "trans-geographical." Three PC(USA) synods have a non-geographical presbytery for Korean language Presbyterian congregations, and one synod has a non-geographical presbytery for Native American congregations, the Dakota Presbytery. There are currently 166 presbyteries for the 8,572 congregations in the PC(USA).<ref>{{Citation | url = https://www.pcusa.org/news/2021/3/8/administrative-commission-mid-councils-approves-pr/ |publisher=PC(USA) | title = Administrative Commission on Mid Councils approves presbytery reorganization for New Jersey | date = March 8, 2021 | access-date = July 12, 2021 | archive-date = July 12, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210712014817/https://www.pcusa.org/news/2021/3/8/administrative-commission-mid-councils-approves-pr/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

Only the presbytery (not a congregation, session, synod, or General Assembly) has the responsibility and authority to ordain church members to the ordered ministry of Word and Sacrament, also referred to as a Teaching Elder, to install ministers to (or remove them from) congregations as pastors, and to remove a minister from the ministry. A Presbyterian minister is a member of a presbytery. The General Assembly cannot ordain or remove a Teaching Elder, but the Office of the General Assembly does maintain and publish a national directory with the help of each presbytery's stated clerk.<ref>{{Citation | url = https://oga.pcusa.org/section/churchwide-ministries/stats/online-minister-directory/ |publisher=PC(USA) | title = Online Minister Directory | access-date = June 30, 2021 | archive-date = July 21, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210721170343/https://oga.pcusa.org/section/churchwide-ministries/stats/online-minister-directory/ | url-status = live }}</ref> This directory is also published bi-annually with the minutes of the General Assembly. A pastor cannot be a member of the congregation he or she serves as a pastor because his or her primary ecclesiastical accountability lies with the presbytery. 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 at the congregation, or approve the covenant for a temporary pastoral relationship. Additionally, the presbytery must approve if either the congregation or the pastor wishes to dissolve that pastoral relationship.

The presbytery has authority over many affairs of its local congregations. Only the presbytery can approve the establishment, dissolution, or merger of congregations. The presbytery also maintains a Permanent Judicial Commission, which acts as a court of appeal from sessions, and which exercises original jurisdiction in disciplinary cases against minister members of the presbytery.{{Sfn | General Assembly | 2009 | loc = The Rules of Discipline}}

A presbytery has two elected officers: a moderator and a stated clerk. The Moderator of the presbytery is elected annually and is either a minister member or an elder commissioner from one of the presbytery's congregations. The Moderator presides at all presbytery assemblies and is the chief overseer at the ordination and installation of ministers in that presbytery.{{Sfn | General Assembly | 2009 | loc = The Rules of Discipline W-4.4003}} The stated clerk is the chief ecclesial officer and serves as the presbytery's executive secretary and parliamentarian in accordance with the church Constitution and Robert's Rules of Order. While the moderator of a presbytery normally serves one year, the stated clerk normally serves a designated number of years and may be re-elected indefinitely by the presbytery. Additionally, an Executive [[Presbyter]] (sometimes designated as General Presbyter, Pastor to Presbytery, Transitional Presbyter) is often elected as a staff person to care for the administrative duties of the presbytery, often with the additional role of a pastor to the pastors. Presbyteries may be creative in the designation and assignment of duties for their staff. A presbytery is required to elect a Moderator and a Clerk, but the practice of hiring staff is optional. Presbyteries must meet at least twice a year, but they have the discretion to meet more often and most do.

''See "Map of Presbyteries and Synods"''.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://oga.pcusa.org/links/ |title=Oga |contribution=Links |publisher=PC(USA) |access-date=February 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108224741/http://oga.pcusa.org/links/ |archive-date=January 8, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Synod====
Presbyteries are organized within a geographical region to form a ''synod''. Each synod contains at least three presbyteries, and its elected voting membership is to include both elders and Ministers of Word and Sacrament in equal numbers. Synods have various duties depending on the needs of the presbyteries they serve. In general, their responsibilities (G-12.0102) might be summarized as: developing and implementing the mission of the church throughout the region, facilitating communication between presbyteries and the General Assembly, and mediating conflicts between the churches and presbyteries. Every synod elects a Permanent Judicial Commission, which has original jurisdiction in remedial cases brought against its constituent presbyteries, and which also serves as an ecclesiastical court of appeal for decisions rendered by its presbyteries' Permanent Judicial Commissions. Synods are required to meet at least biennially. Meetings are moderated by an elected synod Moderator with support of the synod's Stated Clerk. There are currently 16 synods in the PC(USA) and they vary widely in the scope and nature of their work. An ongoing current debate in the denomination is over the purpose, function, and need for synods.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2013/3/19/whither-synods/ | title=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - Whither synods? | date=March 19, 2013 }}</ref>

[[File:The First Presbyterian Church Phoenix.JPG|thumb|upright|[[First Presbyterian Church (Phoenix, Arizona)|First Presbyterian Church]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]]]

====Synods of the Presbyterian Church (USA)====
* [[Synod of Alaska-Northwest]]
* [[Synod of Boriquen]] (Puerto Rico)
* [[Synod of the Covenant]]
* [[Synod of Lakes and Prairies]]
* [[Synod of Lincoln Trails]]
* [[Synod of Living Waters]]
* [[Synod of Mid-America]]
* [[Synod of Mid-Atlantic]]
* [[Synod of the Northeast]]
* [[Synod of the Pacific]]
* [[Synod of the Rocky Mountains]]
* [[Synod of South Atlantic]]
* [[Synod of Southern California and Hawaii]]
* [[Synod of the Southwest]]
* [[Synod of the Sun]]
* [[Synod of the Trinity]]

[[File:East Liberty Presbyterian Church Front.TIF|thumb|East Liberty Presbyterian Church Chicago|321x321px]]

See also the [[List of Presbyterian Church (USA) synods and presbyteries]].<ref>{{Citation |publisher=PC(USA) Organisation of the General Assembly |url=https://www.pcusa.org/resource/mid-council-listing-2018-19-planning-calendar/ |title=Mid-council listing, 2018–19, Synods and Presbyteries |date=September 13, 2018 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182722/https://www.pcusa.org/resource/mid-council-listing-2018-19-planning-calendar/ }}</ref>

====General Assembly====
The ''General Assembly'' is the highest governing body of the PC(USA). Until the 216th assembly met in [[Richmond, Virginia]] in 2004, the General Assembly met annually; since 2004, the General Assembly has met biennially in even-numbered years. It consists of commissioners elected by presbyteries (not synods), and its voting membership is proportioned with parity between elders and Ministers of Word and Sacrament. There are many important responsibilities of the General Assembly. Among them, ''The Book of Order'' lists these four:
# to set priorities for the work of the church in keeping with the church's mission under Christ
# to develop overall objectives for mission and a comprehensive strategy to guide the church at every level of its life
# to provide the essential program functions that are appropriate for overall balance and diversity within the mission of the church, and
# to establish and administer national and worldwide ministries of witness, service, growth, and development.

=====Elected officials=====
{{Main|List of moderators of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA)}}

[[File:Ft Wash Hts Presb Wadsworth Av 174 jeh.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Fort Washington Presbyterian Church]]]]
[[File:First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh, New York.JPG|thumb|upright|[[First Presbyterian Church (Plattsburgh, New York)]]]]

The General Assembly elects a [[Moderator of the General Assembly|moderator]] at each assembly who moderates the rest of the sessions of that assembly meeting and continues to serve until the next assembly convenes (two years later) to elect a new moderator or co-moderator. Currently, the denomination is served by Co-Moderators Cecelia Armstrong and Anthony Larson, who were elected at the 226th General Assembly (2024). They followed Ruth Santana-Grace and Shavon Starling-Louis, elected in 2022. They followed Elona Street-Stewart and Gregory Bentley, elected in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=224th General Assembly (2020)|url=https://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/224th-general-assembly-2020/|access-date=August 5, 2021|website=PC(USA) Office of the General Assembly|archive-date=August 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805171252/https://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/224th-general-assembly-2020/|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the 223rd Assembly in St Louis, MO, Co-Moderators Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri and Cindy Kohmann were elected. See a [[List of Moderators of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA)|complete listing of past moderators]] at another Wikipedia Article.

A [[Stated Clerk]] of the General Assembly is elected to one or more four-year terms and is responsible for the Office of the General Assembly which conducts the ecclesiastical work of the church. The Office of the General Assembly carries out most of the ecumenical functions and all of the constitutional functions at the Assembly. The Stated Clerks since reunion are: [[James Andrews (clergyman)|James E. Andrews]] (1984–1996), [[Clifton Kirkpatrick]] (1996–2008), [[Gradye Parsons]] (2008–2016), J. Herbert Nelson (2016–2023), Bronwen Boswell (2023–2024) (interim), and Jihyun Oh (2024–).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.history.pcusa.org/blog/2016/05/decently-not-always-good-order-historical-overview-choosing-pcusa-stated-clerk|title=Decently But Not Always in Good Order: An Historical Overview of Choosing the PC(USA) Stated Clerk|date=May 13, 2016|website=history.pcusa.org|access-date=April 26, 2023|archive-date=April 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426222314/https://www.history.pcusa.org/blog/2016/05/decently-not-always-good-order-historical-overview-choosing-pcusa-stated-clerk|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bronwen Boswell was appointed Acting Stated Clerk in June 2023 to serve the remaining year of Nelson's term. She was ineligible to apply for the stated clerk position in 2024, and has limited responsibilities focused primarily on completing plans for the 2024 GA and [[restructuring|unification]] of the OGA and PMA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pres-outlook.org/2023/06/stated-clerk-ends-historic-term-in-historic-fashion/|title=Stated clerk ends historic term in historic fashion|date=June 30, 2023|work=The Presbyterian Outlook |access-date=October 16, 2023|archive-date=October 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016060244/https://pres-outlook.org/2023/06/stated-clerk-ends-historic-term-in-historic-fashion/|url-status=live}}</ref> Her partial characterization of the [[Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania|attempted assassination of Donald Trump]] as "two lives lost at a Pennsylvania rally" blurs the distinction between perpetrator and victim, unlike definitions of [[mass shooting]]s that often do not include the shooter in the [[body count]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/7/15/acting-stated-clerk-condemns-violence-at-trump-ral/|title=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - Acting Stated Clerk condemns violence at Trump rally|date=July 15, 2024|website=pcusa.org|access-date=July 18, 2024|archive-date=July 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716234232/https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/7/15/acting-stated-clerk-condemns-violence-at-trump-ral/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{third-party inline|date=July 2024}} Bronwen's political perspective on the shooting has been contrasted with purely nonpolitical perspectives from other denominations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://juicyecumenism.com/2024/07/17/church-prayers-trump/|title=Church Officials' Prayers Follow Trump Shooting|first=Quinn|last=Novick|date=July 17, 2024|website=Juicy Ecumenism}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalmethodist.org/a-family-and-a-global-methodist-local-church-lose-a-faithful-member-in-assassination-attempt/|title=A Family and a Global Methodist Local Church Lose a Faithful Member in Assassination Attempt - Making Disciples of Jesus |date=July 16, 2024 |publisher=The Global Methodist Church|access-date=July 18, 2024|archive-date=July 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716200408/https://globalmethodist.org/a-family-and-a-global-methodist-local-church-lose-a-faithful-member-in-assassination-attempt/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jihyun Oh was installed in July 2024 as the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/7/1/the-rev-jihyun-oh-is-elected-then-installed-as-sta/ | title=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - the Rev. Jihyun Oh is elected, then installed, as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) | date=July 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/4/26/rev-jihyun-oh-nominee-stated-clerk-general-assembl/|title=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – The Rev. Jihyun Oh is the nominee to be the next Stated Clerk of the General Assembly|date=April 26, 2024|website=pcusa.org|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426160433/https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/4/26/rev-jihyun-oh-nominee-stated-clerk-general-assembl/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/1/22/stated-clerk-of-the-general-assembly-candidate-int/|title=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – Stated Clerk of the General Assembly candidate interviews|date=January 22, 2024|website=pcusa.org|access-date=January 22, 2024|archive-date=January 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122225805/https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/1/22/stated-clerk-of-the-general-assembly-candidate-int/|url-status=live}}</ref> and promoted by the Unification Commission (UC) in October 2024 to lead the interim unified agency.<ref name=Jihyun/> The UC is overseeing unification of OGA and PMA, currently planned for summer of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/the-pcusas-unification-commission-takes-in-reports-including-efforts-to-join-communications-ministries/|title=The PC(USA)'s Unification Commission takes in reports, including efforts to join communications ministries|date=January 19, 2024|website=Presbyterian Mission Agency|access-date=January 22, 2024|archive-date=January 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122225806/https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/the-pcusas-unification-commission-takes-in-reports-including-efforts-to-join-communications-ministries/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) had oversight over the Stated Clerk and OGA, but COGA and PMAB were dissolved on December 31, 2024, with UC taking over their responsibilities.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/8/16/unification-commission-votes-to-sunset-governing-b/ |title=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - Unification Commission votes to sunset governing boards for PMA and OGA on Dec. 31 | date=August 16, 2024 }}</ref> A new Unification Management Office is planned to manage the [[Post-merger integration|integration]] of PMA and OGA.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/unification-commission-votes-to-establish-a-unification-management-office/ | title=Unification Commission votes to establish a Unification Management Office | date=August 9, 2024 }}</ref> In March 2024, the former OGA Communications Director was named PCUSA Communications Director<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/3/7/rick-jones-named-director-pcusa-unifying-comm-min/|title=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – Rick Jones named director of the PC(USA)'s unifying communications ministries|date=March 7, 2024|website=pcusa.org|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425174335/https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/3/7/rick-jones-named-director-pcusa-unifying-comm-min/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the former PMA Communications Director was named PMA Vision Integration & Constituent Service Manager.

Nelson is the first African American to be elected to the office, and is a third-generation Presbyterian pastor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2016/6/25/world-church-leaders-hail-j-herbert-nelsons-electi/|title=World church leaders hail J. Herbert Nelson's election as Stated Clerk of the PC(USA)|date=June 25, 2016|website=Pcusa.org|access-date=October 21, 2016|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011201027/http://www.pcusa.org/news/2016/6/25/world-church-leaders-hail-j-herbert-nelsons-electi/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nelson announced he would not seek re-election to a third term,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2023/4/20/j-herbert-nelson-will-not-seek-a-third-term-as-sta/|title=J. Herbert Nelson will not seek a third term as Stated Clerk|date=April 20, 2023|website=Pcusa.org|access-date=April 20, 2023|archive-date=April 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420173222/https://www.pcusa.org/news/2023/4/20/j-herbert-nelson-will-not-seek-a-third-term-as-sta/|url-status=live}}</ref> and stepped down as Stated Clerk in June 2023, a year before his second term ended.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2023/4/25/j-herbert-nelson-to-step-down-as-stated-clerk-of-t/|title=J. Herbert Nelson to step down as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA)|date=April 25, 2023|website=Pcusa.org|access-date=April 25, 2023|archive-date=April 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427015556/https://www.pcusa.org/news/2023/4/25/j-herbert-nelson-to-step-down-as-stated-clerk-of-t/|url-status=live}}</ref> Reported tensions that likely influenced the decision to resign include struggling efforts since 2016 to unify the OGA and PMA agencies, and struggling efforts to return to normal following the pandemic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pres-outlook.org/2022/09/remagining-change-in-the-pcusa-and-the-world-we-get-to-do-this/|title=Reimagining change in the PC(USA) and the world: We get to do this|date=March 14, 2023|work=The Presbyterian Outlook |access-date=April 25, 2023|archive-date=April 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426033318/https://pres-outlook.org/2022/09/remagining-change-in-the-pcusa-and-the-world-we-get-to-do-this/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Stated Clerk is also responsible for the records of the denomination, a function formalized in 1925 when the General Assembly created the "Department of Historical Research and Conservation" as part of the Office of the General Assembly. The current "Department of History" is also known as the [[Presbyterian Historical Society]].<ref name="ga1925">"Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A." Philadelphia, Pa.: Office of the General Assembly, 1925.</ref>

=====Structure=====
Six (now five) agencies carry out the work of the General Assembly, two of which (OGA and PMA) are being unified, with a new staff reporting structure that seems to imply that OGA and PMA have been dissolved.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=PC(USA) national offices unification: What's next? |url=https://pres-outlook.org/2024/07/pcusa-national-offices-unification-whats-next/ |website=The Presbyterian Outlook |date=July 2024 |access-date=January 5, 2025}}</ref> These are the Office of the General Assembly (OGA), the [[Presbyterian Publishing Corporation]], the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, the Board of Pensions, the Presbyterian Foundation, and the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) (formerly known as the General Assembly Mission Council).

The Board of Pensions is the oldest and largest of the PCUSA agencies, originally founded in 1717 as the Fund for Pious Uses. The Board provides those who work for congregations and affiliated ministries with healthcare, retirement, and income protection benefits. With over $12 billion in assets, the Board of Pensions is one of the largest Church Plans in the United States. The General Assembly directly elects the Board of Directors and the President. The current President is Frank Clark Spencer. In addition to its benefits program, the Board's education department runs CREDO conferences, the PCUSA's largest in service education program for ministers. The Board's Assistance Program provides financial assistance in the form of income and housing supplements, emergency grants, and debt reduction to current and retired members based on need.

The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) (formerly General Assembly Mission Council) was dissolved on December 31, 2024, by a motion approved at a specially called Unification Commission meeting on August 16, two days ahead of the planned PMAB annual retreat.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presbyterianmission.org/who-we-are/agency-board/ |title=Presbyterian Mission Agency Board }}</ref> The timing of this motion allowed PMAB to celebrate their work in person, as their only remaining meeting, scheduled for October 29–30, 2024, was not in-person.<ref>https://vimeo.com/999688443 at 8:19</ref> The PMAB had 30 members (20 voting; 10 non-voting).<ref>{{cite web |author=Presbyterian Mission Agency Board |date=October 2023 |title=Manual of Operations |url=https://www.presbyterianmission.org/wp-content/uploads/PMA-Manual-of-Operations-October-2023-1.pdf |access-date=September 1, 2024}}</ref> The role of PMA President and Executive Director was phased out, effective October 10–31, 2024, with both PMA and OGA staff now reporting to the Rev. Jihyun Oh, who has been named as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and Executive Director of the Interim Unified Agency (IUA).<ref name=Jihyun>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2024/10/10/the-rev-jihyun-oh-named-leader-of-the-presbyterian/ |title=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – The Rev. Jihyun Oh named leader of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s interim unified organization |date=October 10, 2024 |website=pcusa.org |access-date=October 10, 2024 }}</ref> The announcement did not include any comment from the PMA President and Executive Director, or even any indication that she had been notified of the changes and agreed with the terms. Details of the IUA leadership selection process have not been disclosed. The constitution requires maintaining an office of the Stated Clerk (Book of Order G–3.0501c), but not an office of the PMA Executive Director. The 2025 and 2026 budgets (page 18), approved by GA in July 2024, fund the office of the PMA Executive Director at $4,524,347 and $4,613,383, respectively.<ref name=Budget/> 

The budget (page 26) anticipated proposing a $5 million reduction over 2 years at the Unification Commission's October 2024 meeting in order to balance. At this meeting, the UC announced informally that the budget had been scrubbed resulting in a planned small [[layoff | reduction in force]]. On November 5, Jihyun Oh announced various program reconfigurations that would balance the 2025 and 2026 budgets, including the planned $5 million reduction.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/new-interim-unified-agency-pcusa-takes-next-step-reimagining-work-going-forward|title=New Interim Unified Agency of the PC(USA) takes next step in reimagining work going forward}}</ref> Further details were announced on November 13, including 12 layoffs, and two vacant OGA positions to remain unfilled.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/saying-goodbye-and-thank-you-12-departed-colleagues|title=Saying goodbye and thank you to 12 departed colleagues}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pres-outlook.org/2024/11/unification-commission-consolidates-pcusa-agencies-resulting-in-program-changes-and-staff-reduction/|title=Unification Commission consolidates PC(USA) agencies, resulting in program changes and staff reduction|date=November 21, 2024|work=The Presbyterian Outlook |access-date=November 23, 2024|archive-date=November 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123205807/https://pres-outlook.org/2024/11/unification-commission-consolidates-pcusa-agencies-resulting-in-program-changes-and-staff-reduction/|url-status=live}}</ref> The November 5 announcement had also warned of further layoffs anticipated in 2025 related to restructuring. On February 5, 2024, Jihyun Oh announced 35 additional layoffs, where "all World Mission staff positions will be revised, and some will be concluded," reducing staff from 79 to 44 in new roles as Global Ecumenical Liaisons,<ref>{{cite web |url=
https://pres-outlook.org/2025/01/presbyterian-church-u-s-a-announces-major-cuts-to-mission-co-workers-amid-restructuring/|title=PC(USA) announces major cuts to mission co-workers amid restructuring|date=January 23, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://vimeo.com/1039294406|title=January 23, 2025 (Part 1) - Unification Commission Meeting, 29:39–39:02|date=December 14, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/interim-unified-agency-pcusa-announces-shift-approach-global-ministry-engagement|title=Interim Unified Agency of the PC(USA) announces shift in approach to global ministry engagement|author=Rick Jones}}</ref> by the end of March 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/2025/3/17/world-mission-leader-addresses-questions-regarding-shift-global-ministry-approach | title=World Mission leader addresses questions regarding shift in global ministry approach}}</ref>

These layoffs were intended to "help us be more nimble in responding to the ongoing shifts in the world and in the church while continuing to foster deeper and broader relationships with faith communities worldwide," based on "forecasting with the help of actuarial consultants for five years" to prevent "a bigger crisis in the near future". PC(USA) faces a backlash over the layoffs from critics who note that the 2024 General Assembly called for retaining mission co-workers and funded their budget at 60.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pres-outlook.org/2025/02/pcusa-faces-backlash-over-mission-co-worker-layoffs/|title=PC(USA) faces backlash over mission co-worker layoffs|date=February 6, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pc-biz.org/search/3001384|title=
[GAEC-32] CR-10 On Reaffirming the Role of Mission Co-Workers in the Global Ecumenical Witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pc-biz.org/search/3001379| title=[GAEC-31] CR-08 On Maintaining the International Presence of Global Mission Personnel to Embody Our Christian Witness}}</ref> On February 7, the Rev. Mienda Uriarte, director of World Mission, explained that "the redesign aims to harmonize compensation and eliminate perceived inequity, thereby enhancing our organizational coherence and employee morale."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/shifting-patterns-ecumenical-global-engagement|title=The shifting patterns of ecumenical global engagement}}</ref>

Previously, the General Assembly had elected the executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, as the top administrator overseeing the mission work of the PC(USA). Past Executive Director of the PMA is Ruling Elder Linda Bryant Valentine(2006–2015), and Interim RE Tony De La Rosa. Elected in 2018 is Teaching Elder Diane Givens Moffett (2018–2024).

The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) is the highest Church court of the denomination. It is composed of one member elected by the General Assembly from each of its constituent synods (16). It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all Synod Permanent Judicial Commission cases involving issues of Church Constitution, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases. The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission issues Authoritative Interpretations of The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) through its decisions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcusa.org/ko/node/26891 |title=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) News |publisher=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref>