Who We Are
The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta is a ministry that supports and connects a network of 85 congregations, 35 new worshiping communities, 400 ministers serving in various capacities, and 29,000 constituents. We are one of 16 presbyteries that make up the Synod of South Atlantic and the largest (by population) of 166 presbyteries — a regional governing body or mid council — of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is distinctly a confessional and connectional church distinguished by the representation of ruling elders — laypersons elected by a congregation — within its government. Our denomination has more than 1.1 million members throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and we are governed by our Constitution, which includes the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions. We meet regularly on the small group, congregation, presbytery, synod, and denomination levels to conduct church business, learn, and worship together. To learn more about our history, theology and social action, visit the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s History of the Presbyterian Church page.
Please explore the buttons below to learn more about our synods, presbyteries, congregations, and ministers:
Our Mission
Our mission is to connect, equip, and empower congregations and people to carry out their missions — especially objectives particular churches cannot accomplish alone. The focus of our presbytery's missional life is connecting congregations to one other and to the larger church of Jesus Christ so that we may be a witness to His life and ministry in the world.
Our Purpose
The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta's Strategic Purpose is to be a catalyst, creator, and equipper of healthy, vital congregations in all regions of the presbytery and to equip and support healthy, innovative leadership within our churches and the other organizations where we serve so that congregations and leaders in our jurisdiction are growing in their attitude, effectiveness and numbers towards the Great Ends of the Church, which are:
The proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind
The shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children of God
The maintenance of divine worship
The preservation of the truth
The promotion of social righteousness
The exhibition of the kingdom of heaven to the world
— Book of Order, F-1.0304
Constitutional Musings
The Office of the General Assembly has had an increase in the number of inquiries about printed materials from outside of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) being distributed within congregations that ascribe to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) beliefs and standards which are meant to show that the church is no longer worthy of support. Read more.
Our Logo
“They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:8 (New Revised Standard Version)
The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta Seal is a visual representation of our Christian heritage, Presbyterian identity, and mission. There are three symbols present in this artwork: the cross, a tree, and water. At the center of the design is the cross - showing its centrality to our life and our faith in God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. The cross element of this design echos the cross in our denomination’s seal, incorporating elements of the open Bible, lectern, and chalice.
As the Presbytery's Strategic Purpose states above, we work in concert and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to support congregations in this presbytery toward health and vitality, bearing fruit in Christ’s name. Thus, the logo is in the form of a tree (Matthew 7:17) brought to life by the power of the living water (John 7:38). The cross, the tree, and water represent the salvation, healing, renewal, and positive transformation we experience in Jesus Christ.