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“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” Psalm 60:4

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Home / About Us / How We Are Organised / Church Courts

Church Courts

Presbyterianism is the Biblical system of Church government, where ministers and ruling elders together oversee the affairs of the Church. They meet together in Church courts, which in the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland at this time are as follows:

1.  The Kirk Session

At the local level, the Kirk Session looks after the affairs of each congregation. It consists of the minister and at least two ruling elders. If the congregation is without a minister, another minister from the Presbytery is appointed as interim moderator. If there are insufficient local elders, then assessor elders from other congregations are appointed. The Kirk Session is responsible for the spiritual affairs of the congregation, and in particular examines applicants for admission to or exclusion from the sealing ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. It administers ecclesiastical discipline where necessary.

2.  The Presbytery

At a wider level, a number of congregations are grouped together geographically. Every minister and one representative elder from each Kirk Session sits on the Presbytery. The Presbytery acts as a court of appeal and review from the Kirk Sessions within its bounds. It is responsible for licensing and ordaining called men to the ministry of the gospel, for inducting ministers to pastoral charges within its bounds, and for discipline of ministers. There are four Presbyteries in the United Kingdom and two elsewhere, as follows:

  • Northern
  • Outer Isles
  • Southern
  • Western
  • Zimbabwe
  • Asia Pacific

3.  The Synod

Currently this is the highest court in the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. All the ministers and all the representative elders are members. Usually it meets annually in May, alternately in Glasgow and Inverness. It decides on cases submitted by Presbyteries. Its work between meetings is conducted by committees which it appoints itself.

4.  Synod Committees

The Committees are not properly speaking Church courts. They conduct their business according to their respective remits from the Synod, and report annually to the Synod. After adoption by the Synod, these reports are printed in the annual Proceedings of Synod Together With Reports and Accounts.

The Standing Committees are:

  • Church Interests
  • Jewish and Foreign Missions
  • Dominions and Overseas
  • Training of the Ministry
  • Religion and Morals
  • Sabbath Observance
  • Finance
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About Us

  • Who We Are
    • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland – Why It Exists Today
    • The Free Presbyterian Church Catechism
      • A Catechism of the History and Principles of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland – PDF
      • 1. Origins of the Free Presbyterian Church (1-13)
      • 2. The Westminster Confession of Faith (14–22)
      • 3. The Declaratory Act and the Free Church (23–53)
      • 4. The Infallibility of Scripture (54-67)
      • 5. Erroneous Doctrines (68-77)
      • 6. Innovations in Worship (78-93)
      • 7. Church and State (94-104)
      • 8. Church office-bearers (105-130)
      • 9. Church Courts (131-140)
      • 10. Church Unity (141-149)
      • 11. Modern Religious Cults (150-159)
      • 12. Modern Errors (160-170)
      • 13. Evolution (171-175)
      • 14. Christ’s Second Coming (176-179)
      • Appendix 1. Deed of Separation 1893
      • Appendix 2. Free Church of Scotland Declaratory Act 1892
      • Appendix 3. FP Synod Resolutions
      • Appendix 4. Questions put to Office-bearers and Formula to be signed by them
      • Appendix 5. Memorandum on the Church of Scotland Enabling Bill 1920
    • The Declaratory Act Controversy
      • Declaratory Act – Reasons for Separation
      • How the Declaratory Act changed the Constitution of the Free Church
      • Explanatory Criticism of the Declaratory Act
      • The Consequences of the Declaratory Act
      • The Declaratory Act and Admission into Office in the Free Church
      • The Constitutional Aspects of the Declaratory Act
      • A Brief History of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
  • What We Contend For
    • Our Free Presbyterian Heritage
    • The Authorised Version
      • The Importance of the Authorised Version for the Church in Britain
      • 2015 Synod Resolution on Versions of the Bible
    • Evangelical or Reformed
    • A Protestant Witness
      • The Pope and the Constitution of the United Kingdom
      • The Pope as the Head of a False Religion
      • Papal Infallibility
      • The Pope in Scripture
    • The Five Points of Calvinism
      • The Canons of Dort
    • The Free Offer of the Gospel
    • Resolution on Creed Subscription
    • Church Discipline
      • The Purposes of Church Discipline
      • The Church’s responsibility to administer Biblical discipline faithfully
      • The benefits of exercising Church discipline
      • Accusations Levelled against a Church Exercising Discipline
    • Baptism
      • Subjects of Baptism – by Rev. William MacIntyre
      • Mode of Baptism – by Rev. William Macintyre
      • Should Infants be Baptised?
    • The Lord’s Supper
      • Why do the minister and elders interview intending communicants?
      • Restricted Communion
      • Fencing the Table
    • Our Separate Stance
    • The Sabbath
      • Why the Sabbath should Still be Kept
      • How the Sabbath should be Kept
      • Sabbath or Lord’s Day – not “Sunday”
      • What about using Public Transport on the Sabbath?
    • Family worship
      • Family worship – a recent overview
      • Family worship – a recent address to young people
      • Family worship – a convicting appeal from C H Spurgeon
      • Family worship – a wartime appeal from more than a century ago
      • Family worship – a review
      • Family worship – another wartime appeal
      • Family worship – an illustration of its power
    • Distinctions between Male and Female
      • Men and Women Equal in Value
      • The Distinct Roles of Men and Women
      • Can women lead in public prayer?
      • Distinct Clothing for Men and Women
      • Long hair for women and short hair for men
  • What We Believe
  • How We Worship
    • Order of Service
    • The Right Way to Worship
      • Standing for Prayer
      • The Charismatic Movement – The Gifts have Ceased
    • The Regulative Principle of Worship
      • Does the Bible tell us how we are to Worship?
      • The Importance of the Regulative Principle for Today
      • The Regulative Principle as defined by the Scottish Reformers and others
    • Exclusive Psalmody
      • Does the Bible tell us What to Sing?
      • Why Psalms Only
    • No Musical Instruments
      • Musical Instruments in Worship
    • No Christian “Festivals”
      • Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?
  • How We Are Organised
    • Church Courts
    • Scripture does teach the right form of Church Government
    • The Apostolic Church – Which Is It?
      • Statement of the Question
      • Meaning of the word Church
      • Government of the Church
      • Apostolic Principles
      • The First Principle
      • The Second Principle
      • The Third Principle
      • The Fourth Principle
      • The Fifth Principle
      • The Sixth Principle
      • Application of the Test
      • Application of the Test to Prelacy
      • Application of the Test to Independency
      • Application of the Test to Presbytery
      • Application of the Test – Result
  • Important Documents
    • The Scots Confession
    • The First Book of Discipline
    • The Second Book of Discipline
    • The National Covenant
    • The Solemn League and Covenant
    • The Westminster Confession of Faith
    • The Larger Catechism
    • The Shorter Catechism
    • The Directory for Public Worship
    • The Form of Presbyterial Church Government
    • The Sum of Saving Knowledge
    • The Directory for Family Worship
    • The Claim Declaration and Protest
    • The Protest
    • The Deed of Separation 1893
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Latest Articles

  • Synod Resolution re The Church of Scotland’s Declaration of Friendship with the Roman Catholic Church
  • Worksheets for the Scripture and Catechism Exercises 3
  • Special Offers on New Books for May

Recently Added Audio

  • Synod Sermon 2022 17 May 2022
  • Earth, Earth, Earth 7 Nov 2021
  • The Dew upon Israel 3 Nov 2021
  • The Queen of Sheba’s Visit 31 Oct 2021
  • Loving this present world 24 Oct 2021
  • God’s gracious call to repentance 8 Sep 2021
  • All things through Christ’s strength 5 Sep 2021
  • Still unsaved 21 Nov 2021
  • Christ always the same 21 Nov 2021
  • Paul preaching Christ’s death and resurrection 14 Nov 2021

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Special Offers on New Books This Month

The Peep of Day by F L Mortimer, £6.30

Comfort in Affliction by James Buchanan, £3.95

Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson, £2.50

Life of John Knox by Thomas M’Crie, £4.40

Revivals of the Eighteenth Century by Duncan MacFarlan, £4.70

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Website Contact

Rev Keith M Watkins
[email protected]

Moderator of Synod

Rev Donald A Ross
Free Presbyterian Manse
Laide
Ross-shire
IV22 2NB
[email protected]

Clerk of Synod

Rev Keith M Watkins
Free Presbyterian Manse, Ferry Road, Leverburgh, Isle of Harris, HS5 3UA, UK.
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General Treasurer

Mr William Campbell
133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow,
G3 6LE, UK.
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