Who we are
Our History
Our heritage begins with the Call of Abraham & Sarah
John Knox Presbytery is a regional body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), formed by the 188th General Assembly in May 1976 and officially established on January 1, 1977. We are incorporated in Wisconsin and operate in accordance with state laws in Iowa and Minnesota.
But our story begins long before 1977. Presbyterian roots in this region trace back to the 1830s in Iowa, the 1840s in Wisconsin, and the 1850s in Minnesota. Our heritage stretches even deeper—beginning with the call of Abraham and Sarah and moving through the journey of God’s people across centuries.
Grounded in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, we are a community of faith called to serve. As God’s people, we are committed to sharing Christ’s love and building a world where all may know they belong to God.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Presbyterians belong to widening circles of theological identity and relationship: Reformed, Protestant, and Christian. Presbyterian is a way of being Reformed, which is one way of being Protestant, which is itself a way of being Christian.
REFORMED TRADITION
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affirms the distinctive beliefs of the Reformed Tradition, which date back to principles articulated by John Calvin in the 16th century. Central to the Reformed tradition is affirmation of the sovereignty of God. That assurance provides a basis for other traits of the Reformed way: that God calls us to service in the world, that our life together is to be ordered in ways that enable all members to flourish, that God calls us to generous stewardship of what we have, and that we are to stay alert to the human tendency to idolatry and tyranny and respond to God’s call to work for a society that seeks justice.
GOOD NEWS
Our salvation through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone’s job — ministers and laypeople alike — to share this Good News with the whole world. That is one reason the PC(USA) is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity that includes women, men, and nonbinary people.
BELIEFS
The PC(USA) confesses its beliefs in statements of faith from across the history of the church. Twelve statements of faith are gathered together in the first part of the denomination’s constitution, called the Book of Confessions. According to the second part of the constitution, the Book of Order, in the confessional statements the PC(USA) “declares to its members and to the world who and what it is, what it believes, and what it resolves to do.”
CHURCH POLITY
Presbyterians have a distinctive form of church government, or polity, in which the authority to make decisions is lodged not in individuals but in groups, known as councils, made up of both ministers and elected members of congregations known as ruling elders. The word “Presbyterian” comes from the Greek word for “elder.”
CHURCH SESSIONS
The body of elders elected by a congregation to govern a congregation is called a “session.” In one sense, sessions represent the other members of the congregation — even more importantly, they seek to discover and represent the will of Christ as they govern. Presbyterian elders are both elected and ordained. Ministers of the Word and Sacrament (also known as teaching elders) are elected by the congregation and are also part of the session.
SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES
Together, ruling and teaching elders exercise leadership, governance, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the church at large. When elected as commissioners to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the same authority as teaching elders. Congregations may also elect and ordain deacons to a ministry of compassion, witness, and service.
MID COUNCILS & GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The session is the smallest and most localized governing body in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The other governing bodies are presbyteries (composed of multiple congregations); synods (composed of several presbyteries); and the General Assembly (which represents the entire denomination). Elders and ministers who serve on these governing bodies are also called “presbyters.” Presbyteries and synods are collectively referred to as “mid councils.”
The PC(USA) Book of Order, which contains detailed information on the denomination’s polity, is updated in the year following each biennial General Assembly, after presbyteries have voted to approve or disapprove amendments proposed by each assembly.
On Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota!
The land, lakes,
& Driftless wonders
The geographic footprint of our presbytery includes some of the most beautiful and balanced landscapes in the Midwest. Whether you find peace in wide-open farmland, forested bluffs, or winding rivers, this region offers a serene blend of God’s creation. Explore rolling hills in Wisconsin, dramatic river valleys along the Mississippi in Minnesota, and the peaceful rural charm of Northeast Iowa. There are lakes, waterfalls, hardwood forests that blaze in autumn, and miles of trails for hiking, fishing, hunting, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing.
Prefer city life? You’ll find that here, too. La Crosse, Rochester, Dubuque, Eau Claire, and Madison offer museums, breweries, restaurants, concerts, and cultural diversity. Summer brings festivals and fairs rooted in both ethnic tradition and contemporary celebration. And when you need a change of pace, Chicago and Minneapolis–St. Paul are within a day’s reach.
The people
We’re Midwestern Nice. Whether you're in a bustling small city or a quiet farming town, you'll find neighbors who know how to show up—with a casserole in hand. While we may be a little reserved at first, we genuinely care. Our churches reflect a range of theological and political perspectives, and many have found ways to live together in love and mutual respect, even in “purple” communities.
You’ll find congregations that are progressive, conservative, and everything in between. Whether you’re drawn to social justice, traditional liturgy, rural ministry, or creative outreach, there’s a place for you here.
"I’ve lived in several states, and in many places it takes decades to be considered part of the community. When I came here, I was welcomed into a church that genuinely wanted to know and love me—even though I’m not a Packers fan."
— Rev. Kim Trimboli, New Berlin, WI
The affordability
Compared to the coasts and many metro areas, the cost of living in this region is refreshingly manageable. Housing is still affordable, and while salaries may not match coastal markets, they allow for a comfortable and fulfilling life. Many pastors enjoy owning a home, planting a garden, and living close to both nature and community. Here, you can actually live out your calling without financial burnout.
Psalm 133:1 (NRSV)
“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!”
OUR TEAM
The staff of John Knox Presbytery supports and equips congregations, leaders, and ministries across our region. Rooted in the values of connectional leadership and collaborative service, our team works to nurture healthy churches, facilitate communication, and uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). While our presbytery office is based in Neenah, Wisconsin, our staff members work remotely, serving churches across Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, and northeast Iowa with flexibility and care.
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