leadership

The term Presbyterian in our name refers to our form of government. This same form of government is used by a number of denominations which are identified as being of the Reformed/ Presbyterian tradition including but not limited to the PCUSA, PCA, and RCA. The term is taken from the Greek word “presbuteros,” which is usually translated “elder.” A Presbyterian church government consists of:

• Teaching elders (the pastor)
• Ruling elders (men and women elected by the congregation)
• Deacons (elected by the people and ordained to lead the church in its care of the poor and others in need)

Together they make up the “Session” and join with “Sessions” of other regional churches in their denomination forming a “Presbytery.” Shiloh is a part of Red River Presbytery. Presbyteries are joined to form “Synods” which act as church courts of review. The “General Assembly” is the highest church court and meets yearly. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has approximately 100,000 members in the United States, Columbia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Liberia. We recently were recognized as a Christian Denomination in Mexico. Our headquarters are in Cordova, Tennessee. We support Bethel University (McKenzie, TN), Memphis Theological Seminary (Memphis, TN), and the Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home (Denton, TX).