Editing Presbyterian polity (section)

==Basis==
Presbyterian polity is constructed on specific assumptions about the form of the government intended by the [[Bible]]:
* "[[Bishop]]" ([[Koine Greek]] ''episkopos'') and "elder" (Koine Greek ''presbyteros'') are (in this view) synonymous terms. ''Episkopos'' means literally ''overseer'' and describes the function of the elder, rather than the maturity of the officer. A [[bishop]] holds the highest office of the church (there is no Patriarch, Prelate{{sfn|Bannerman|1868b|loc=[https://archive.org/stream/churchofchristtr02bann#page/260/mode/2up pp260-] 295}} or Pope{{sfn|Bannerman|1868b|loc=[https://archive.org/stream/churchofchristtr02bann#page/245/mode/2up pp245-] 259}} over bishops).
* Preaching (the ministry of the Word) and the administration of the sacraments is ordinarily entrusted to specially trained elders (known as ministers of the Word and [[Sacrament]],<ref name="form1645" /> sometimes called "teaching elders") in each local [[Wiktionary:congregation|congregation]], approved for these tasks by a governing presbytery, or classis, and called by the local congregation.{{sfn|Bannerman|1868a|loc=[https://archive.org/details/churchofchristtr01bann/page/432/mode/2up?q=election pp433] passim}}
* In addition to these ministers, there are also "others … with gifts for government … commonly call[ed] "elders"<ref name="form1645" /> or "ruling elders".
* Pastoral care, [[church discipline]], leadership and legislation are committed to the care of ruling assemblies of presbyters among whom the ministers and "ruling elders" are equal participants.
* All Christian people together are the priesthood (see [[priesthood of all believers]]), on behalf of whom the elders are called to serve by the consent of the congregation.

[[Presbyterianism]] uses a conciliar method of church government (that is, leadership by the group or council). Thus, the ministers and "elders" govern together as a group, and at all times the office is for the service of the congregation, to pray for them and to encourage them in the faith. The elders together exercise oversight (episcopacy) over the local congregation, with superior groups of elders gathered on a regional basis exercising wider oversight.

Presbyterians typically have viewed this method of government as approximating that of the [[New Testament]] and earliest churches.

Presbyterianism is also distinct from [[Congregationalist polity|congregationalism]], in that individual congregations are not independent, but are answerable to the wider church, through its governing bodies (presbyteries, synods and assemblies).{{sfn|Bannerman|1868b|loc=[https://archive.org/stream/churchofchristtr02bann#page/296/mode/2up pp296-] 331}}{{sfn|M'Crie|1875|loc=[https://archive.org/details/scottish00mcri/page/202/mode/2up?q=independency pp203] & passim}} Moreover, the ordained ministry possesses a distinct responsibility for preaching and sacraments. [[Congregational church]]es are sometimes called "Presbyterian" if they are governed by a council of elders; but the difference is that every local congregation is independent, and its elders are accountable to its members, and congregationalism's wider assemblies are not ordinarily empowered to enforce discipline. Thus, these are ruled by elders only at the level of the congregations, which are united with one another by covenants of trust.