Leadership & Government

The Presbyterian form of government vests authority in laypersons elected by local congregations who are known as "ruling elders". Together with "teaching elders" who are the ordained ministers, they are responsible for the leadership and government of their particular church as well as the larger church. Ruling elders serve as members of the session at their local church. They represent the other members of the congregation, yet their primary responsibility is to discover and represent the will of Christ as they govern.

Elders can be elected as commissioners to the higher governing bodies: presbyteries, which are composed of all the churches within a particular geographic region; synods, which are composed of several presbyteries; and the General Assembly, which represents the entire denomination.

The Session of Second Presbyterian Church

Members are elected for three year terms

Current Session

2026
Mike Beasley Mike Beasley
Paul Costel Paul Costel
Elaine Duncan Elaine Duncan
Bob Horton Bob Horton
John Hubbard John Hubbard
Elizabeth Scinta
Linda Watson Linda Watson
Zara Wiggins Youth Elder Zara Wiggins

Incoming Sessions

2027
Miriam Ballert Miriam Ballert
Marilyn Duke
Lindsey Hundley Lindsey Hundley
Lucy Kosse
Liz Ratliff Evans Liz Ratliff Evans
Deb Vetter Deb Vetter
Whitney Watt
2028
Ann Bowling Ann Bowling
John Cunningham John Cunningham
Angela Duffy Angela Duffy
Stephanie Fellon Stephanie Fellon
Larry Jones Larry Jones
Justin Powers Justin Powers
Kyle Wiggins Kyle Wiggins
Morgan Fellon Youth Elder Morgan Fellon
Wilson Masick Youth Elder Wilson Masick
2029
Mary Clay Edinger Mary Clay Edinger
Caroline Dicken
Priss Hovious Priss Hovious
Crystal Kannapell Crystal Kannapell
Alexander Ortiz Alexander Ortiz
Henry Kelsey Henry Kelsey
Larry Sloan Larry Sloan
Youth Elder Scott Davis
Lillian Powers Youth Elder Lillian Powers

Past Sessions

2022
Bonnie Boram Bonnie Boram
Bill Donan Bill Donan
Will Duncan Will Duncan
Patrick Farnan Patrick Farnan
Sara Gilford Sara Gilford
Karen Hadley Karen Hadley
Melinda Mast Melinda Mast
Martha Pecceu Martha Pecceu
John Stone John Stone
Abby Davis Youth Elder Abby Davis
William Edwards Youth Elder William Edwards
2023
Jodie Goldberg Jodie Goldberg
Judy Hettmansperger Judy Hettmansperger
Henry Kelsey Henry Kelsey
Sean Lohman Sean Lohman
Mark Shiflet Mark Shiflet
Beverly Will Beverly Will
Ensley Ogden Youth Elder Ensley Ogden
Nicholas Moloney Youth Elder Nicholas Moloney
2024
Ricky Case Ricky Case
Ellie Davis Ellie Davis
Maggie Faurest Maggie Faurest
Amanda McNally Amanda McNally
Kathy Oyler Kathy Oyler
James Seiler James Seiler
Chip Snyder Chip Snyder
Davis Collins Youth Elder Davis Collins
Charlotte McCarthy Youth Elder Charlotte McCarthy
2025
Laura Cromer Laura Cromer
Kit Davis Kit Davis
Patrick Farnan Patrick Farnan
Holly Gathright Holly Gathright
Bill McDowell
Rosemay Palmer-Ball Rosemay Palmer-Ball
Edie Wells Edie Wells
Bella Tilford Youth Elder Bella Tilford
Henri Pecceu Youth Elder Henri Pecceu