Glossary
We have provided this glossary of common terms used in the church to help you better understand that strange language you keep hearing those odd Presbyterians speak...
Have a question about a word that you don't see here - contact us and we'll see what we can find.
Have a question about a word that you don't see here - contact us and we'll see what we can find.
Book of Order
The Book of Order is Part II of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This document contains the Form of Government, Directory for Worship, Rules of Discipline, and the Formula of Agreement.
Called Minister
A Called Minister is the minister/pastor that holds a permanent position in the church.
Carillon Chimes
In the past, Carillon Chimes were a set of stationary bells hung in a tower and sounded by manual or pedal action. Now they are usually an electronic instrument imitative of the sound of the carillon. Our carillon has a speaker in our tower and is pre-programmed to play a song on the hour after the hour is "chimed".
Chancel
In churches with a historic floor plan, the chancel is the front part of the church from which the service is conducted, as distinct from the nave, where the congregation sits. The chancel is usually an elevated platform, usually three steps up from the nave. In churches with a lecture-hall floor plan, the term sanctuary is often used to mean both chancel and nave because the two are not architecturally distinct. In the historic floor plan, the words chancel and sanctuary are often synonyms.
Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE's)
Commissioned Ruling Elders are ordained elders who have taken training to help minister where there is a shortage of congregational leadership to allow for having the Word preached and the Sacraments administered. CRE's are locally authorized. They have no standing beyond their presbytery and the particular ministry to which they are commissioned. CRE's work in partnership with, and under the guidance of, ordained ministers. The perspective and experience of such dedicated ordained elders coupled with the theological education and experience of ordained ministers brings a wealth of gifts to enrich the ministry of Jesus Christ in the particular community served.
Communion Table
Referred to as an altar in many churches, it is the table in the chancel that the clergy use for Communion. During the Protestant Reformation, some people felt that the traditional term of "altar" was theologically misleading. As a result, many people preferred to call it a Communion Table. Anglicans decided that both terms were correct, because it is the altar from which we receive the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and because it is, literally, the table on which we celebrate Communion. Today, Anglicans and Lutherans generally call it the altar, while churches in the Reformed tradition tend to call it a Communion Table.
Interim
An interim pastor is a minister of the word and sacrament who is invited by the session with approval of presbytery to fill the positions of interim pastor, interim co-pastor, or interim associate pastor under circumstances described in the Book of Order. An interim is generally brought into a church while that congregation is in the process of looking for a new permanent minister. The interim contract is for no more than twelve months and may be renewed for a period of not more than twelve months at a time with approval of COM.
Narthex
The historic term for what might otherwise be called the foyer or entryway of the church.
Nave
The architectural term for the place where the congregation gathers for worship, as opposed to the front part of the church from which the service is led. In churches with a lecture-hall floor plan, the term ‘sanctuary’ is often used to mean both chancel and nave because the two are not architecturally distinct.
Pew
Originally, Christians stood for worship, and that is still the case in many eastern churches. The pew, a long, backed bench upon which congregants sit, was an innovation of western medieval Christianity. Pews were inherited by Protestants from the Roman Catholic Church, and because of their practicality, have spread to some Orthodox churches located in the west.
Pulpit
The speaker stand used by clergy to read the gospel and preach the sermon. Since the gospel lesson is usually read from the pulpit, the pulpit side of the church is called the gospel side.
Pulpit Supply
A person who comes in to perform designated functions for a specific worship service. They act as the minister for that service only. Generally this is done when the Called Minister is on vacation or otherwise unavailable.
Sacristy
In historic church architecture, the sacristy is the room or closet in which communion equipment, linen, and supplies are kept. It is usually equipped with a sink.
Sanctuary
In churches with a lecture-hall floor plan, the term ‘sanctuary’ is often used to mean both chancel and nave because the two are not architecturally distinct. In historic usage, chancel; and sanctuary are synonyms.
Stated Supply Minister
A Stated Supply Minister is a minister of the word and sacrament appointed by the presbytery, after consultation with the session, that fills a temporary position at a church. Generally the contract is no more than twelve months at a time with approval of the presbytery. A temporary supply may be any of the following: a candidate under care of a presbytery, a minister of the word and sacrament, a Commissioned Ruling Elder, or an elder. There is no mandatory limit to the term of a temporary supply contract, however, it will normally be for no more than twelve months and be renewable for no more than twelve months at a time.
The Book of Order is Part II of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This document contains the Form of Government, Directory for Worship, Rules of Discipline, and the Formula of Agreement.
Called Minister
A Called Minister is the minister/pastor that holds a permanent position in the church.
Carillon Chimes
In the past, Carillon Chimes were a set of stationary bells hung in a tower and sounded by manual or pedal action. Now they are usually an electronic instrument imitative of the sound of the carillon. Our carillon has a speaker in our tower and is pre-programmed to play a song on the hour after the hour is "chimed".
Chancel
In churches with a historic floor plan, the chancel is the front part of the church from which the service is conducted, as distinct from the nave, where the congregation sits. The chancel is usually an elevated platform, usually three steps up from the nave. In churches with a lecture-hall floor plan, the term sanctuary is often used to mean both chancel and nave because the two are not architecturally distinct. In the historic floor plan, the words chancel and sanctuary are often synonyms.
Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE's)
Commissioned Ruling Elders are ordained elders who have taken training to help minister where there is a shortage of congregational leadership to allow for having the Word preached and the Sacraments administered. CRE's are locally authorized. They have no standing beyond their presbytery and the particular ministry to which they are commissioned. CRE's work in partnership with, and under the guidance of, ordained ministers. The perspective and experience of such dedicated ordained elders coupled with the theological education and experience of ordained ministers brings a wealth of gifts to enrich the ministry of Jesus Christ in the particular community served.
Communion Table
Referred to as an altar in many churches, it is the table in the chancel that the clergy use for Communion. During the Protestant Reformation, some people felt that the traditional term of "altar" was theologically misleading. As a result, many people preferred to call it a Communion Table. Anglicans decided that both terms were correct, because it is the altar from which we receive the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and because it is, literally, the table on which we celebrate Communion. Today, Anglicans and Lutherans generally call it the altar, while churches in the Reformed tradition tend to call it a Communion Table.
Interim
An interim pastor is a minister of the word and sacrament who is invited by the session with approval of presbytery to fill the positions of interim pastor, interim co-pastor, or interim associate pastor under circumstances described in the Book of Order. An interim is generally brought into a church while that congregation is in the process of looking for a new permanent minister. The interim contract is for no more than twelve months and may be renewed for a period of not more than twelve months at a time with approval of COM.
Narthex
The historic term for what might otherwise be called the foyer or entryway of the church.
Nave
The architectural term for the place where the congregation gathers for worship, as opposed to the front part of the church from which the service is led. In churches with a lecture-hall floor plan, the term ‘sanctuary’ is often used to mean both chancel and nave because the two are not architecturally distinct.
Pew
Originally, Christians stood for worship, and that is still the case in many eastern churches. The pew, a long, backed bench upon which congregants sit, was an innovation of western medieval Christianity. Pews were inherited by Protestants from the Roman Catholic Church, and because of their practicality, have spread to some Orthodox churches located in the west.
Pulpit
The speaker stand used by clergy to read the gospel and preach the sermon. Since the gospel lesson is usually read from the pulpit, the pulpit side of the church is called the gospel side.
Pulpit Supply
A person who comes in to perform designated functions for a specific worship service. They act as the minister for that service only. Generally this is done when the Called Minister is on vacation or otherwise unavailable.
Sacristy
In historic church architecture, the sacristy is the room or closet in which communion equipment, linen, and supplies are kept. It is usually equipped with a sink.
Sanctuary
In churches with a lecture-hall floor plan, the term ‘sanctuary’ is often used to mean both chancel and nave because the two are not architecturally distinct. In historic usage, chancel; and sanctuary are synonyms.
Stated Supply Minister
A Stated Supply Minister is a minister of the word and sacrament appointed by the presbytery, after consultation with the session, that fills a temporary position at a church. Generally the contract is no more than twelve months at a time with approval of the presbytery. A temporary supply may be any of the following: a candidate under care of a presbytery, a minister of the word and sacrament, a Commissioned Ruling Elder, or an elder. There is no mandatory limit to the term of a temporary supply contract, however, it will normally be for no more than twelve months and be renewable for no more than twelve months at a time.
