Polity Matters: What’s in a title?
As more congregations adopt the title "senior pastor," Carson Rhyne asks whether the language reflects Presbyterian theology or imports assumptions about hierarchy from the corporate world.
The Rev. H. Carson Rhyne is an ordained PC(USA) minister of 50 years. He was organizing pastor for two congregations and served as general presbyter/stated clerk for 21 years in the Presbytery of the James. In addition, he taught Presbyterian polity for 20 years at Union Presbyterian Seminary.
As more congregations adopt the title "senior pastor," Carson Rhyne asks whether the language reflects Presbyterian theology or imports assumptions about hierarchy from the corporate world.
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