A Presbyterian Glossary

This is a page of our web site that will continue to be under construction for some time. Initially there will be a number of items for which the definitions have not yet been prepared. Also, where it may be useful, we hope to add some small graphics. Finally, in some instances we hope to create links to other places on our web site where amplified explanations may be provided.

To make navigation on this page a bit easier we have created an index. Simply click on the appropriate letter of the alphabet to go to that section of the glossary.

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Advent: That season of the Christian year which includes the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day. This is a time of preparation when the emphasis in worship services is on the events leading up to the birth of Christ.

Apostles' Creed: Though not written by the Apostles this is an ancient creed of the Christian Church and is understood to represent the teaching of the Apostles. In its present form it is dated no later than the fourth century and is more widely recognized and used within Christendom than any other Christian creed.

Ascension Day: A day in the Christian year designated to celebrate the ascension of Christ into heaven. Ascension Day is celebrated forty days after Easter and falls on a Thursday.

Baptism

Board of Managers: In a Presbyterian congregation this is a group of men and women elected by the Congregation to oversee the implementation of the congregation's budget, to work with the Treasurer in maintaining the congregation's financial records, and to care for the buildings owned by the congregation.

(The) Book of Forms: This book contains the constitutional documents, the rules for the operation of church courts, and the established policies that govern the operation of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The Book of Forms is amended annually to reflect any decisions made by the General Assembly concerning these matters. The current edition of The Book of Forms is available on the national web site.

(The) Book of Praise: This is the title of the hymn book produced by the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The edition in use in the Chalmers Congregation is the most recent one published in 1997.

Burning Bush: The symbol of the burning bush is often used in Presbyterian congregations. It represents the call of God and is taken from the Old Testament story of God calling Moses. The symbol is often accompanied with the latin inscription "nec tamen consumebatur". The phrase comes from the biblical story and when translated literally means "but never consumed" (Exodus 3:2).

call, or "calling a minister": In general the term is used to describe how an individual is called by God to service in the church. More specifically the term is often used in Presbyterian Churches to describe the process by which a congregation invites someone to serve as its minister.

call to worship: The words of invitation with which a worship service begins (often a verse or two of scripture).

Calvin: John

Catholic Church: Unfortunately, in casual conversation this term is used to refer to the Roman Catholic Church. However the term "catholic" simply means "everywhere" or "universal." The Apostles' Creed, for instance, refers to the "holy catholic church" meaning the whole Christian Church (rather than any single denomination of it). The term Roman Catholic Church refers to those congregations everywhere who submit themselves to the oversight of the Pope in Rome. Presbyterians do not believe that one must belong to the Presbyterian Church to be part of the true church.

chancel: The elevated area at the front of the sanctuary where the Communion Table, lectern and pulpit are located.

Christian Family Day: A designation used by many Presbyterian Congregations in Canada to describe observances made in worship on Mother's Day (celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May). The intention is that the observances that day ought to recognize the importance of home and family in God's plan for his people.

Christian Year: The designation Christian Year refers to that annual repetition of worship celebrations in the Christian Church that mark selected events in the life of Christ and the Christian Church.

Christmas: A designated day annually observed on the 25th. of December to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

clergy: A commonly used designation within Christendom to denote those who have been ordained as priests or ministers.

Clerk: The secretary of a church court who records the minutes of each meeting and handles the correspondence. From this basis come titles such as; clerk of session, clerk of presbytery, clerk of synod and clerk of General Assembly.

Communion: A service of worship in which bread and wine are consecrated to represent the body and blood of Christ. This service is patterned on Jesus final Passover meal with his disciples. This service is sometimes also called Lord's Supper or Eucharist. Most Presbyterian congregations in Canada do not serve communion at all worship services but only at designated "communion services" which occur monthly or quarterly according to the chosen pattern of the congregation.

Communion Table: A table at the front of the church sanctuary where the elements of bread and wine are placed before they are consecrated and distributed in a Communion service.

court, "church court," or "courts of the church": The Presbyterian Church in Canada is governed by a system of four church courts. The one in the local congregation is called the session, there are then regional courts called Presbytery and Synod and then the national governing body which is called the General Assembly.

denomination: A word used to indicate a single branch of the Christian Church. For example, the Presbyterian Church in Canada is a Christian denomination as is the United Church of Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Roman Catholic Church or any other administrative grouping or conference of Christian congregations.

Easter: The Sunday in the Christian year designated for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This is not a fixed date but is based on the lunar calendar. Easter falls on the Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21st. The earliest possible date for Easter is March 22nd. and the latest is April 25th. Some coming Easter dates are as follows: 2003 (April 20th.); 2004 .

ecumenical: A word used to describe worship services or programs of action or service that are supported co-operatively by various churches or denominations within the Christian Church.

elder: A man or woman who has been elected by a local congregation and has been set apart by ordination to rule in the church. See also; ruling elder and teaching elder.

emeritus: An honourary title sometimes given to one who has retired from office. In the Presbyterian Church it is sometimes used in the terms Minister Emeritus or Elder Emeritus.

Epiphany: The designation in the Christian year for the twelfth day after Christmas (January 6th.). This date is used to commemorate the visit of the Magi to the Christ child and celebrates the fact that the coming of Christ was not for Israel only but for the people of all nations (represented by the Magi). As the Magi followed the light of the star in their quest to find Jesus so one of the themes of Epiphany (lit. the revealing) is that of the light of Christ coming into the midst of darkness.

Eucharist

Fanning the Flames

Fellowship Hour: In the Chalmers congregation the designation Fellowship Hour is used for those occasions when those present at a worship service are invited to gather following the service for a time of greeting and conversation and light refreshments are provided. This term is specific to the Chalmers congregation.

General Assembly: The church court that meets annually and makes decisions for the whole of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

General Assembly Budget: This refers to the operational budget of the Presbyterian Church in Canada to which all congregations. This fund is usually called Presbyterians Sharing.

Good Friday: The Friday in the Christian year immediately preceding Easter Sunday. This is the day marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Chalmers Congregation has long marked Good Friday by sharing in a joint worship service with Mount Hamilton United Church and Mount Hamilton Baptist Church. The location of the service rotates amongst the three congregations and the clergy of the three congregations share in providing leadership.

Holy Communion: See Communion.

inter-faith: This term is used to identify organizations or programs in which representatives from a number of different faith groups participate. This term is different from the term ecumenical which is generally used to refer to the participation together of representatives from various churches or denominations within the Christian community.

kirk: A Scottish term for church.

Kirk-session. At one time the session was often called by the older Scottish name of Kirk-session.

lectern: A desk or stand for holding a Bible in a church sanctuary. Scripture lessons are often read from the Bible on the lectern.

lent: In the cycle of the Christian year the season of lent begins 40 days before Easter. It is a season of devotion and preparation prior to Easter.

litany: A form of prayer in which the petitions to God spoken by the person leading worship are separated by a designated response by the worshipping congregation.

Living Faith:

Lord's Prayer:

Lord's Supper

Minister: A person who has been set aside by ordination to serve the church. In the Presbyterian Church in Canada there are both spiritual and academic qualifications required for ordination as a minister. Ministers are sometimes also referred to as teaching elders. Besides also being ruling elders, ministers are the only ones in the church who administer the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.

Moderator: A person who presides at a meeting of a church court to direct the business and keep order. The Minister of a local congregation is the Moderator of the Session. At the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly level the Moderator is elected by the members of the court.

narthex: The entry or gathering area of a church building through which people pass before entering the sanctuary.

New International Version: The New International Version (N.I.V.) is an English language translation of the bible that was published in 1978. This is the translation currently used in worship in the Chalmers congregation.

ordain: To set apart for special duties in the church as a Christian minister or elder.

(The) Outlook: Specific to the Chalmers Congregation. This is the title of our quarterly congregational newsletter.

overture: A type of formal proposal or request presented to a church court.

Pentecost: A designation for the second Sunday after Ascension Day in the Christian year. This day commemorates the events recorded in Acts 2: in the New Testament and marks the giving of the Holy Spirit to the Church. It is sometimes referred to as the birthday of the church.

pew: The name for the long wooden benches that are often used to seat the worshippers in a church.

Pew-to-Pulpit Box: The title of a box in the narthex at Chalmers Church in which people may deposit messages for the minister - hence, "Pew-to-Pulpit." This term is specific to the Chalmers congregation.

Praise Time: In the worship services at Chalmers Church this term is used to designate a time in the service when the congregation joins in singing one or more contemporary or less formal hymns or praise choruses. These are generally selections that are not included in The Book of Praise and the words are often provided for the congregation by means of an overhead projector. This designation is specific to the Chalmers Congregation.

Presbykirk: This is the title for the Internet web site of the Presbytery of Hamilton. It is a portal site with Presbytery news and links to many other sites of interest on the Internet. The URL for Presbykirk is: http://www.presbykirk.com

presbyter: One who is a member of a Presbytery.

Presbyterian: A generic name given to churches in various parts of the world who trace their roots to the protestant Reformation of the 16th. century and who accept a form of church government in which crucial decisions are made by elders. The word Presbyterian is derived from the Greek word that appears in the New Testament and which is translated "elder" (as in Acts 15:2 and 20:17, etc.).

(The) Presbyterian Church in Canada: The Presbterian Church in Canada came into being in 1875 as a consequence of the union of several Presbyterian regional groups of Presbyterian Churches which had been established in conjunction with various Presbyterian parent groups in Scotland.

Presbyterian Corn Share: This particular title is unique to the Chalmers congregation. It is used to designate a congregatinal mission project in which we participate each year. Funds are collected to offset some of the costs related to a growing project operated by Presbyterian farmers in Kirkwall and West Flamboro. The crop raised is deposited in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Under an existing arrangement with the Federal government these deposits in the Foodgrains Bank are matched by the Government of Canada on the ratio of four to one. This foodgrain is then distributed to alleviate world hunger. For more information click on Presbyterian Corn Share.

Presbyterian Men: This it the name of a Men's Movement which has operated within the Presbyterian Church in Canada for at least three decades. In the Hamilton area Presbyterian Men meet monthly for fellowship and study or discussion at various congregations throughout the Presbytery. The Presbyterian Men's Group also sponsors an Annual Prayer Breakfast in early January and a Ladies Night in the month of June.

(The) Presbyterian Record: This is the name of the official monthly magazine published within the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The Publication is supported by subscription fees and is not subsidized by the national church. The Chalmers congregation particpates in the "Every Home" plan sponsored by the record and so most of our members receive the Record by direct mail at their own homes.

Presbyterian Sharing: This is the name given to a national fund supported by all congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. This fund is used to finance the national operation of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and to underwrite the costs of our national and international programs of mission and outreach. For additional details click on Presbyterians Sharing

Presbyterian World Service and Development: This special fund within the Presbyterian Church in Canada is one through which individuals and congregations may direct special gifts for ministries of compassion in the world. This is the Presbyterian Church in Canada's avenue of response in time of special need and of response to victims of calamity or natural disaster.

Presbytery: The second level of church court which includes a number of congregations in a geographical area. The Presbytery consists of all the Ministers in those congregations and an equal number of Representative Elders. Chalmers is in the Presbytery of Hamilton. The Presbytery of Hamilton includes approximately 35 congregations in the cities of Burlington and Hamilton and the surrounding rural area.

pulpit: A desk or stand in a church sanctuary behind which a minister may stand in delivering a sermon to the congregation. Sometimes pulpits are elevated above the level of the chancel.

pulpit exchange

Radio Alpha

reader: An individual who participates in the leadership of a worship service by reading scripture or leading the congregation in prayer.

Reformation

Registry of Friendship: In each worship service at Chalmers Church all who are in attendance are invited to record their presence at the worship service by signing a Registry of Friendship sheet which is located in the pew. This practice is specific to the Chalmers Congregation.

Representative Elder: The member of a session who is appointed to represent the congregation at meetings of presbytery or synod.

Responsive Reading: A reading from scripture in which the congregation takes part by reading alternate parts or verses of the lesson.

Reverend (Rev.):

ruling elder: An alternate designation for the elders elected by the local congregation.

sacrament

sanctuary: The term used to refer to that area of a church building which is used for the holding of public worship services.

Session: The decision making court that gives guidance to the work and worship of the local congregation. It is composed of the Minister and the ruling elders who have been elected by the members of the congregation.

stewardship:

subordinate standard:

Synod: The third level in the series of church courts which includes several Presbyteries. The Presbytery of Hamilton, along with seven other presbyteries, compose the Synod of Southwestern Ontario. There are approximately 220 congregations in the Synod of Southwestern Ontario.

teaching elder: Ministers are ordained to both teach and rule and are sometimes called teaching elders.

(The) Westminster Confession of Faith:

White Gifts: A designation used to describe gifts, primarily of non-perishable food items, that people are invited to bring to the congregation on a designated Sunday in December. The White Gifts are then used to make up hampers that are delivered to needy families in the Hamilton community. The White Gifts received by the Chalmers Congregation are distributed in hampers prepared by Calvin-Grace Community Church with whom we have been in partnership in this program for many years.

World Day of Prayer: An international ecumenical observance in which many congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Canada participate. It is observed on the first Friday in March each year.

Wynford Drive: A colloquial way of referring to the national offices of the Presbyterian Church in Canada which are located at 50 Wynford Drive, Toronto, ON, Canada, M3C 1J7