Officers in the Presbyterian Church USA consist of Ruling Elders (often just called elders), Teaching Elders (also referred to as Ministers of Word and Sacrament), and Deacons. A church may choose whether or not to have Deacons, but may not go without ruling elders to govern the church. If a church chooses not to have a Board of Deacons, then the Session (the body constituted by the Elders of the Church) assumes the duties of Deacons, including pastoral care.

First Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton has 12 Elders on the Session, made up of 3 classes of 4 elders each, with one class elected each year and serving a 3 year term. We also have 9 Deacons, made up of 3 classes of 3 Deacons each.

You can learn more about the roles of church officers by checking out:  Being_a_Presbyterian_Officer.pdf.