Church Authority

The PCA organizes itself according to Presbyterian polity: the local church is governed by a session of ruling and teaching elders; regional churches are overseen by presbyteries; and the general assembly serves as the denomination's representative body. Authority is distributed across these courts, with appeal possible from lower to higher courts.

The PCA practices sola scriptura—Scripture alone is the ultimate authority in doctrine and practice. While church courts interpret Scripture, no church council can add to or subtract from Scripture. The Westminster Confession and catechisms are subordinate standards, intended as faithful summaries of biblical teaching but not infallible.

The PCA rejects episcopal and papal forms of church governance while affirming representative government through elder rule. Teaching elders (ministers) are distinguished from ruling elders (lay leaders) by their specialized training and preaching function, but both are true elders with authority in the session. This structure is understood as biblical and most conducive to faithful reform.