Much like our nation, the Presbyterian Church has a Constitution, known as the Book of Order, which spells out the rules for governance within our denomination. There are different governing bodies at different levels of governance. The body that rules at the local congregational level is known as the Session.
The following is a distillation of responsibilities of the Session, from the Book of Order, prepared by the PC(USA). The “G numbers” refer to the specific reference in the Book of Order:
Session
The session governs a particular congregation. It is made up of elders elected by the congregation, plus all the installed pastors on the staff, including pastors, co-pastors, and associate pastors. (G-10.0101)
The session is responsible for all decisions regarding the program and policies of its congregation, except for the two powers reserved for the congregation: the election of officers, including the pastoral staff, and the buying, selling, and/or mortgaging of church property. The constitution spells out 19 specific duties for the session. (G-10.0102, G-7.0304)
The session is composed of elders elected for specific terms of service as well as the installed pastor(s) and associate pastor(s). It is presided over by the moderator, who is the pastor or a minister member of the Presbytery when the pastor is not available. (G-10.0101, G-10.0103, G-14.0201)
The session elects its own clerk, who is called “Clerk of the Session.” The clerk of the session must be an elder, but not necessarily one serving currently on the session. The session elects the clerk for such term as it shall determine. The clerk of the session has many duties regarding the records of the church, and also serves as secretary of meetings of the congregation. (G-9.0203, G-10.0300)
(from the online Book of Order, “PC(USA) Structure and Governing Bodies,” pcusa.org)
Our Session consists of 16 elders, plus our clerk of Session, and a moderating pastor.