Riverside Presbyterian Church (RPC) is part of the largest Presbyterian denomination, the Presbyterian Church USA.
While the Session governs the church locally, we are regionally governed by the Central Florida Presbytery, composed of over 70 churches in Central Florida. Central Florida Presbytery is part of the Synod of the South Atlantic. Every two years, commissioners from every Presbytery in the United States gather to meet at the General Assembly. More information on church governance can be found at PCUSA.org.
Our pastor is a member of the Central Florida Presbytery and is not a member of our church.
Session |
RPC is locally governed by the Session. The Session is made up of 14 members, called elders, who are nominated, elected by the congregation, ordained and installed. They each serve 3 year terms and serve as moderators and members of the Commissions. The pastor serves as the moderator of the Session. We have a democratic system based on the needs of the commissions and the votes of each elder. The Session meets on the third Tuesday of the month. The Session has created the Board of Deacons and the Commissions to help do the work of the church. The Board of Deacons and the Commissions provide minutes of their meetings as well as other reports to the Session each month. |
Board of Deacons |
The Board of Deacons is made up of 12 members, called deacons, who are nominated, elected by the congregation, ordained and installed. They each serve 3 year terms and serve as moderators and members of the Commissions. Deacons are the “shepherds of the church” and provide support to church members. The Board of Deacons meets on the second Tuesday of the month. |
Commissions |
The Session has created 9 commissions. Each year, our pastor appoints the moderator/chair for each commission. A commission year begins with March. A commission is made up of at least one Session member, at least one Board of Deacons member, at least one Presbyterian Women member, and “at large” members of the congregation. The commissions meet once a month. |
Ambassadors Commission | To plan and coordinate programs to foster church membership maintenance and growth, including but not limited to: 1. Visitor Growth 2. Membership Growth 3. Volunteer Growth |
Care & Support Commission |
To manage all programs of nurture and care of members of the congregation, including but not limited to the following:
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Education Commission |
To oversee the educational program of the church, including but not limited to the following:
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Fellowship Commission |
To oversee all fellowship experiences of the congregation, including, but not limited to the following:
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Outreach, Missions, and Evangelism Commission (OMEC) |
To oversee the outreach programs, mission programs and the evangelism of the church, including, but not limited to the following:
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Personnel Commission |
To oversee the paid personnel of the church, including but not limited to the following:
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Property Management Commission |
To oversee the maintenance of all the church property, including, but not limited to the following:
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Stewardship & Finance Commission |
To provide care and custody of all the funds and financial concerns of the church, including, but not limited to the following:
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Worship & Sacraments Commission | To assist in the planning and scheduling of all gatherings for worship:
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Presbyterian Women | Together, with our sisters in Christ all over the world, we share the following statement of purpose: Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves:
Presbyterian Women of Riverside is composed of five circles, meeting at various times during the month, led by our Coordinating Team. All members come together at our General Gatherings. For more information about Presbyterian Women, please visit the denomination’s website at pcusa.org/pw. |
Nominating Committee | The Nominating Committee of Riverside Presbyterian Church is a committee of the congregation. As such it reports directly to the congregation and does not serve as a committee, commission or sub-committee of the session. ROSTER PROCEDURES |