Our Session and Deacons
At First Presbyterian Church of Boonton, our Session and Board of Deacons work together to serve our congregation and community. These leadership roles have deep roots in both scripture and American history.
The Session
The Session is the governing body of our congregation, made up of our pastor and elected ruling elders. The word "Presbyterian" actually comes from the Greek word presbyteros, meaning elder. Our Session provides spiritual leadership, oversees worship and the sacraments, and helps guide our church's mission and ministry. They meet regularly to ensure our congregation stays faithful to God's calling and to care for the spiritual well-being of our church family.
The Deacons
Our Deacons are called to a ministry of compassion and service. Following the example set in Acts 6, they care for those in need—visiting the sick and homebound, supporting families during difficult times, and reaching out to our wider community with Christ's love. The Deacons help us live out our faith through practical acts of kindness and care.
A Distinctive Heritage
Presbyterian church government has a fascinating connection to American democracy. When our nation's founders gathered to create the Constitution in 1787, many were deeply influenced by Presbyterian principles of representative government. One-third of the signers were Presbyterian, and John Witherspoon—a Presbyterian minister and president of Princeton—was a signer of the Declaration of Independence who taught James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution." The Presbyterian practice of electing representatives to govern together, rather than rule by a single authority, helped shape America's vision of government by the people. Our system of Session, Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly mirrors the balance of local and broader governance that became foundational to our nation.
