Editing Presbyterian Church (USA) (section)

====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.