Presbyterian (or presbyteral) polity is a method of church governance ("ecclesiastical polity") typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply. Groups of local churches are governed by a higher assembly of elders known as the presbytery or classis; presbyteries can be grouped into a synod, and presbyteries and synods nationwide often join together in a general assembly. Responsibility for conduct of church services is reserved to an ordained minister or pastor known as a teaching elder, or a minister of the word and sacrament. Presbyterian polity was developed as a rejection of governance by hierarchies of single bishops (episcopal polity), but also differs from the congregationalist polity in which each congregation is independent. In contrast to the other two forms, authority in the presbyterian polity flows both from the top down (as
Presbyterian (o presbyterian) polity es un método de gobierno de la iglesia ("ecclesiastical polity") tipificado por la regla de asambleas de presbíteros, o ancianos. Cada iglesia local es gobernada por un cuerpo de ancianos elegidos generalmente llamado la sesión o consistorio, aunque otros términos, como el consejo de la iglesia, pueden aplicarse. Grupos de iglesias locales son gobernados por una asamblea superior de ancianos conocidos como el presbyterian o classis; presbyterias pueden ser agrupados en un sínodo, y presbyterias y sínodos en todo el país a menudo se unen en una asamblea general. La responsabilidad por la conducta de los servicios de la iglesia se reserva a un ministro ordenado o pastor conocido como un maestro anciano, o un ministro de la palabra y el sacramento. Presbyterian polity fue desarrollado como un rechazo de la gobernanza por las jerarquías de los obispos individuales (politistas episcopales), pero también de la congregación politista en la que cada