Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (General Synod)

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) developed from two groups that formed in Scotland in the 17th and 18th Centuries -- the Covenanters and Seceders. These two movements developed into the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the Associate Church of Scotland respectively, and their members migrated to America because of religious and political upheaval in Britain. The two merged in 1782 and eventually became known as the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. The church continues its commitment to the fundamental truths on which it was founded: the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the free offer of the Gospel of grace.

We are a Presbyterian and Reformed Chuch rooted in the historic Reformed tradition as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. Each local congregation elects ruling elders to the session, and deacons to the diaconate. In this representative form of government, the session oversees the total ministry of the congregation and is concerned primarily with the spiritual life of the church. The diaconate is concerned primarily with material needs.

The governing body above the local session is the presbytery, which oversees a group of congregations in a specific geographical area. The hightest governing body is the General Synod, composed of all ARP ministers and at least one elder from each congregation. The Synod meets annually to worship together and conduct business.