What does it mean to be a Presbyterian?

Presbyterians, first of all, are Christians. We believe in one God who revealed himself and his plans for us in the Bible and especially through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)--2.57 million strong--we are an expression of Reformed Christianity, a part of the holy catholic church celebrated in the Apostles’ Creed, a people whose roots go back to John Calvin at the time of the Reformation. We are distinctive in our Reformed theology and our 400-year-old form of government, combining the equal values of authority and freedom, order and passion.

We Presbyterians worship and function in over 11,000 congregations nationwide, served by more than 17,000 active pastors (around a quarter of whom are women), and over 100,000 elders. Local congregations are connected to others in area-wide presbyteries (173 in the U.S.), and presbyteries unite in regional synods (16 in the U.S.). All join together at the national level through the yearly General Assembly.

First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale, with approximately 2,000 members, has a Session (board of elders), consisting of 30 lay men and women elders, who govern our church.

In addition, our Board of Trustees (30 men and women) are responsible for the finances and property of the church. A Board of Deacons (42 men and women) carries out the ministry of lay pastoral care to the congregation.

We also have a staff of five pastors and many other professionals who work in ministry to children, youth and adults, music ministries and outreach ministries.