How is a local Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation governed?

A local congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is governed by a body known as the session.1

The session is the lowest level of governance within the denomination and consists of the congregation's pastors and its active elders. These elders are laypersons chosen by the congregation to assist the minister in the oversight and government of the church.12

While the session manages the religious and churchly affairs of the local congregation, the broader structure of the denomination includes higher governing bodies that provide oversight:31

• Presbytery: A regional body composed of pastors and elders from congregations within a specific district. The presbytery holds religious, financial, and legal authority over the local congregations within its bounds.143
• Synod: A body comprising several presbyteries that covers a larger territory.1
• General Assembly: The highest governing body of the church, which is elected by the presbyteries and meets every two years to address the general concerns of the denomination.1

The organization and government of these bodies are defined by the church's Book of Order.1