Presbyteriaal

Presbyteriaal, or presbyteriaal governance, is a term used to describe a form of church government in which authority is exercised by elected presbyters (elders) rather than by bishops. The system is associated with Reformed and Presbyterian churches and contrasts with episcopal governance (led by bishops) and congregational governance (led by the congregation).

In presbyteriaal polity, the local church is governed by a body of elders, often called the session or kerkenraad, which includes both lay elders and teaching elders (ministers). Decisions regarding doctrine, discipline, worship, and administration are made through representative bodies rather than by a single pastor alone. At a regional level, multiple congregations form a presbytery or presbyterie, which provides oversight, pastors ministry, and coordinates common programs. At the national or regional level, a synod or similar assembly represents the wider church and makes broader theological and policy decisions. Members are typically elected by congregations, and authority is distributed across these interlocking bodies to maintain accountability and shared governance.

The theological basis for presbyteriaal governance emphasizes the leadership of elders in partnership with ordained ministers and the notion of mutual accountability within a network of congregations. It aims to safeguard doctrinal integrity, discipline, and church order through representative structures, rather than concentrating power in a single bishop or in the local congregation alone.

Presbyteriaal governance is widely used in many Reformed and Presbyterian churches around the world. Examples include historic and modern churches in Scotland, the United States, the Netherlands, and other regions where the Presbyterian or Reformed tradition is present. The term is sometimes used descriptively to distinguish this form of polity from episcopal or congregational models.