Presbyterianism

In Canada, the largest Presbyterian Church is the Presbyterian Church in Canada; in 1925, about seventy percent of which, merged with the Methodist Church, Canada, and the Congregational Union of Canada to form the United Church of Canada. Prior to Elway, Denver had had over two dozen different starting quarterbacks in its twenty-three seasons to that point. Elway would remain the quarterback through five Super Bowls, three under head coach Dan Reeves and two under Mike Shanahan, and would end his career as the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII, his last NFL game. Other Presbyterian bodies in the United States include the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC (http://www.epc.org)), the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC), the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP Synod), the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States (RPCUS). Originally drafted by the Baltimore Colts as the number one pick of the draft, Elway proclaimed that he would shun football in favor of baseball unless he was traded to a selected list of other teams, which included Denver. The largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States is the Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA). Quarterback John Elway arrived in 1983. In North America, because of past doctrinal differences, Presbyterian churches often overlap, with congregations of many different Presbyterian groups in any one city. Prior to 1977 season, Denver had received very little national attention and was rarely featured on nationally-televised games.

Even before the Presbyterians left Scotland there were divisions in the larger Presbyterian family. Rookie coach Red Miller along with the Orange Crush Defense and aging quarterback Craig Morton, promptly took Denver to its first playoff appearance -- and ultimately first Super Bowl -- in 1977. However, most Presbyterians generally exhibit their faith in action as well as words, including generosity, hospitality, and the constant pursuit of social justice and reform as well as proclaiming the gospel of Christ. In 1973, John Ralston coached the now-mature Broncos to a 7-5-2 record, including a dramatic tie with Oakland in Denver's first-ever Monday Night Football appearance that is still remembered as a pivotal game in Bronco history. Ralston coached the team until 1976, when well-publicized clashes between Ralston and his players led to Ralston's removal. References to the adoption of Calvin's theology of predestination and the typical member's predisposition to conduct themselves "decently and in order" have earned them the moniker of the "frozen chosen". In 1967, under head coach Lou Saban, Denver took the field with almost two dozen rookies on its roster; though Saban's tenure was unsuccessful, it set the stage for later successes. Presbyterians place great importance upon education and continuous study of the scriptures, theological writings, and understanding and interpretation of church doctrine embodied in several statements of faith and catechisms formally adopted by various branches of the church. Denver, in fact, came close to losing its franchise in 1965, but a local ownership group took control that year and began to build the team.

The Church of Scotland has now abolished the Synod. It is odd to remember a time, then, when Denver was the lowliest of teams, managing its first winning season in 1973 after thirteen years of futility. This congregation / presbytery / synod / general assembly schema is based on the historical structure of the larger Presbyterian churches, like the Church of Scotland; some of the smaller bodies, like the Presbyterian Church in America or the Presbyterian Church in Ireland skip one of the steps between congregation and General Assembly, and usually the step skipped is the Synod. Denver has reached the Super Bowl six times, winning it in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. The Presbytery sends representatives to a broader regional assembly, generally known as the General Assembly, although an intermediate level of a synod sometimes exists. Despite their relative lack of early success, the Broncos produced some memorable games, like the 38-38 tie against the Buffalo Bills in 1960. These are composed of ministers and elders from each of the constituent congregations. They were the first pro football team to wear vertically-striped socks (and the first to burn their socks in a public ceremony!).

Above the Kirk Sessions exist Presbyteries, which have area responsibilities. They were the first AFL team ever to defeat an NFL team, on August 5, 1967 when they beat the Lions 13-7. A congregation issues a call for the minister's service, but this call must be ratified by the Presbytery. They had the first black place-kicker in professional football, Gene Mingo. Ministers are called by individual congregations. The Broncos won the first-ever American Football League game, over the Boston Patriots (13-10) on September 9, 1960. Teaching elders (ministers) have responsibility for teaching, worship and performing sacraments. Although the Denver Broncos' 39-97-4 record was the worst of any of the original eight American Football League teams', the franchise had many proud moments and several AFL superstars, including Lionel Taylor and Floyd Little.

Sometimes the practicalities of buildings and finance in the congregation are delegated to a distinct group (known variosly as a 'Board' or 'Deacons' Court'. Since 2001, they have played at INVESCO Field at Mile High, built next to the former site of Mile High Stadium. Teaching and ruling elders, sitting as a 'Kirk Session', (commonly refered to as simply 'session') are responsible for the discipline, the nurture and the mission of the local congregation. Mile High Stadium was one of the NFL's loudest stadiums, with steel flooring instead of concrete, which may have given the Broncos an advantage over opponents. Presbyterian government is based on Elders. For most of their history they played in Mile High Stadium, which became one of the shrines of professional football for its unbroken string of sell-outs and its famous home-field advantage percentage for the Broncos, especially during the post-season. While these conservative Presbyterians are not in the majority, their numbers are significant. In their first four appearances, they suffered successively lopsided defeats, achieving near-legendary status as frustrated losers before winning back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 1998 and 1999 under quarterback John Elway and coach Mike Shanahan.

Because of this diversity of belief, more conservative Presbyterians are likely to attend the smaller denominations that have chosen to split from a larger body. A charter member of the American Football League, they were a backwater small-market team that met with little success in their early years but have since become one of the elite franchises of the league after having advanced to the Super Bowl six times. Those groups that adhere to the document most strictly are typified by baptism of the infant children of believers, the exclusive use of Psalms (modified for metrical singing), singing unaccompanied by instruments, a common communion cup, only men are eligible for ordination to any church office, and a fully Calvinist doctrine of salvation. The Denver Broncos are a National Football League team based in Denver, Colorado. These splits have been caused by disagreement concerning the degree to which those ordained to church office should be required to agree with the Calvinist Westminster Confession of Faith, which historically serves as the main constitutional document of Presbyterian churches. Gary Zimmerman. Many of the branches of Presbyterianism are remnants of previous splits from larger groups. Rick Upchurch.

The origins of the Presbyterian churches were in Calvinism, which is no longer emphasized in some of the contemporary branches. Jim Turner. Presbyterians distinguish themselves from other denominations by both doctrine and institutional organization, or as they prefer to call it 'church order'. Lionel Taylor (born 1935, first receiver with 100 catches in a season (1961)). Main article: Presbyterian church governance. Dennis Smith. Because of an emphasis on equal education for all people, Presbyterians have 'planted' and encouraged schools across the US as the country grew and the missionaries were sent out to the people. Shannon Sharpe.

The Presbyterian church in England and Wales is the United Reformed Church, whilst the tradition also influenced the Methodist church, established in 1736. Clinton Portis. All three, very diverse branches of Presbyterianism, as well as independents, and some Dutch, German, and French Reformed denominations, combined in America to form what would eventually become the Presbyterian Church USA (1705). Craig Morton. Presbyterians, as well as Roman Catholics in Ulster and the rest of Ireland suffered under the discriminatory Penal Laws until they were revoked in the early 19th century. John Mobley. The Presbytery of Ulster was formed separately from the established church, in 1642. Gene Mingo (first black field goal kicker in professional football, 1960).

In Ireland, Presbyterianism was established by Scottish immigrants and missionaries to Ulster. Karl Mecklenburg. The re-establishment of the monarchy in 1660 brought the re-establishment of episcopalian government in England (and in Scotland for a short time); but the Presbyterian church in England continued in non-conformity, outside of the established church. Wahoo McDaniel. In 1647, by an act of the Long Parliament under the control of Puritans, the Church of England embraced Presbyterianism . Ed McCaffrey. In Ireland the Presbyterian Church was formed from the Church of Scotland and later became The Presbyterian Church In Ireland.In England, Presbyterianism was established in secret in 1572, toward the end of the reign of Elizabeth I of England. Floyd Little (born 1942).

The existing Church of Scotland was thus reformed along Presbyterian lines. Tom Jackson. In Scotland, John Knox (1505-1572), who had studied under Calvin in Geneva, returned to Scotland and led the Parliament of Scotland to embrace the Reformation in 1560. Abner Haynes. In England, Scotland and Ireland, the Reformed churches that adopted a presbyterian instead of episcopalian government, became known naturally enough, as the Presbyterian Church. Gaston Green. These denominations derive their name from the Greek word presbyteros, which means "elder." Presbyterian church governance is common to the Protestant churches that were most closely modelled after the Reformation in Switzerland. Randy Gradishar.

Besides national distinctions, Presbyterians also have divided from one another for doctrinal reasons, especially in the wake of the Enlightenment. Goose Gonsoulin (born 1938). There are many separate Presbyterian Churches in different nations around the world. Cookie Gilchrist (born 1935). Presbyterianism traces its institutional roots back to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. Olandis Gary. Presbyterianism is a form of church government, practiced by many (although not all) of those Protestant churches (known as Reformed churches), which historically subscribed to the teachings of John Calvin. Miller Farr.

John Witherspoon, only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Tony Dorsett. The Rev. Terrell Davis (third player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season). Woodrow Wilson, 28th President. Mike Croel. Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey. Dale Carter.

Vice-President under Hayes. Steve Atwater. Wheeler, U.S. Floyd Little - #44. William A. Frank Tripucka - #18. Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, Princeton Seminary professor. John Elway - #7.

Roosevelt. Al Wilson. Vice-President under F.D. Trevor Pryce. Wallace, U.S. Rod Smith. Henry A. Jerry Rice.

Mark Twain, American author. Jake Plummer. Vice-President under Monroe. John Lynch. Tompkins, U.S. Ashley Lelie. Daniel D. Jason Elam.

Norman Thomas runs for President as the Socialist Party candidate in 1928. Champ Bailey. Jimmy Stewart, actor. John Elway (2004). Fred Rogers, also known as the famous Mister Rogers, was an ordained Presbyterian Minister up until his death. The Rev.

Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State (2005- ). President. Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S. President (converted from Presbyterianism to Methodism).

James Knox Polk, 11th U.S. Norman Maclean, author and academic. Stonewall Jackson, General in the Confederate Army. President.

Andrew Jackson, 7th U.S. Charles Hodge, seminary professor. Hodge, seminary professor. A.

A. President. Benjamin Harrison, 23rd U.S. Katherine Harris, Florida Secretary of State during the 2000 election crisis and current congresswoman (R).

John Glenn, Astronaut, United States Senator. Mel Watt, Congressman from North Carolina and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Jay Rockefeller, junior United States Senator from West Virginia. Lamar Alexander, junior United States Senator from Tennessee.

Bill Frist, current Senate Majority Leader. Eisenhower, 34th President. Dwight D. Secretary of State in the Eisenhower Administration.

John Foster Dulles, U.S. Brian DePalma, film director; raised as a Presbyterian. President. Grover Cleveland, 22nd and 24th U.S.

Vice-President under Adams and Jackson. Calhoun, U.S. John C. Aaron Burr, co-founder of Princeton University.

The Rev. Vice-President under Jefferson. Aaron Burr, U.S. Frederick Buechner, author of fantasy novels and non-fiction religious books.

President. James Buchanan, 15th U.S. Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. William Jennings Bryan of the famous Scopes "Monkey Trial" in Tennessee 1925 and three times U.S.

Vice-President under Buchanan. Breckinridge, U.S. John C. Representative; conservative Republican from Texas.

Dick Armey, U.S.