The Session of a congregation consists of elders elected by the congregation, and a moderator who is the minister of the congregation. The minister is the “teaching elder” and the elders are the “ruling elders” of the congregation. The number of elders is set by the Session as required by the circumstances of the congregation.

The elders, once called to the office and having the gifts of God to carry out their duties, are ordained for life. They may serve in the office for life or may resign from active duty of the office at any time during their term of service. Even though they are no longer an active elder attending meetings, they still remain an elder in the Presbyterian Church and may only be restored to membership on the Session by being re-elected by the congregation.

The Session meets monthly (2nd Tuesday of every month) for the transaction of business. Meetings are not open to the congregation, but the Session may hold open meetings when deemed advisable. The Session is responsible for the pastoral care of the congregation and for the supervision and oversight of all members and adherents connected with the congregation. To this end, the principal business of the Session is to oversee the life of the congregation. Thus, every committee and organization reports to the Session.

The Session assigns the names of all members to the elders who then cultivate a personal relationship with those persons through visiting, counselling and encouragement in their Christian life. They deliver communion cards to their people at the time of every communion, thus enabling them to carry out this most important duty. At the time of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the Session looks after the setting up of the Communion table and the serving of the elements.

The Session is responsible for the admission of candidates to professing membership in the church and is responsible for provision for the sacrament of Baptism.

The Kirk Session plays a very important role in the life of the Presbyterian Church.