The Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms are perhaps the most notable expression in creedal form of the truths of the Bible. They are the work of that assembly of divines which was called together by Parliament and met in London, at Westminster Abbey, during the years 1643-1648. It was this Assembly which also produced the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. The Confession and the Catechisms are used by many churches as their doctrinal standards, subordinate to the Word of God.
To Read our church standards please go Here*
Since the Reformation metrical psalms have been the bedrock of congregational praise in the Christian church. Throughout its long history the Scottish church has used the psalms in worship. Today, we continue this practice using the traditional Scottish metrical version along with the new Sing Psalms version. The simple directness of the psalms enables us to worship God and hear his word as we sing. To retain the essential spirituality and simplicity of worship we sing unaccompanied by musical instruments.
Our Form of Government and How it Works
Between the Episcopal and Congregational systems of church government, Presbyterianism holds a middle position, which in our opinion is the closest to the method of church organization indicated in the New Testament. On the one hand, it declares against hierarchical government, holding that all elders of the church are peers one of another and that church authority is vested not in individuals but in representative bodies composed of lay (ruling) elders and duly ordained (ruling and teaching elders). On the other hand, Presbyterianism is opposed to Congregational independency and asserts the lawful authority of the larger church.
The constitutions of most of the churches provide for four grades of administrative courts: the Session, which governs the congregation; the Presbytery, which governs a number of congregations within a limited territory; the Synod, which governs the congregations within a larger territory; and the General Assembly, which is the highest court. Congregational members are expected to submit cheerfully to their local sessions but should need arise they have every right to appeal any decisions made on a local level to the higher courts. The courts are there for the protection of Christ's precious flock and to maintain accountability amongst the governing bodies.
The church officers include elders and deacons. These officers are elected by the local congregations. The elders (with the pastor as presiding officer) form the session which supervises the spiritual affairs of the congregation. The deacons have charge of certain temporalities and are responsible to the session. The office of Deacon is not a teaching office but rather a practical office within the local body.
* The SRC is not associated with the James Begg Society but we have found their site to be informative and helpful.