Who's In the Room: Key People and Roles

The Book of Order says that an assembly shall consist of an equal number of ruling elders and teaching elders (ministers of the Word and Sacrament), elected by the presbyteries and reflective of the diversity within their bounds (G-3.0501). Each presbytery elects an allotted number of ruling and teaching elder commissioners according to their size. Commissioners then attend the General Assembly, where they serve not as representative voters of their presbytery, but as individuals called to discern God’s will for the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Commissioners each serve on one committee and in plenary sessions. They have both voice and vote in both settings. In plenary sessions, commissioners are advised by advisory delegates prior to vote.

Following the assembly, commissioners engage with their sending presbyteries to share their experience and insight into the outcomes of the assembly.