A middle judicatory is an administrative structure or organization found in religious denominations between the local congregation and the widest or highest national or international level. The term is meant to be neutral with regard to polity, though it derives from Presbyterianism where the local, regional and national bodies are themselves respectively higher courts.
Depending on the polity, the middle judicatory can have decisive authority over a local church, can offer standing for clergy members but little or no control over congregations, can offer counsel and services but no authority, or can serve as an informal vehicle for fellowship and communication.
Church of England
Church of Scotland
- Synods and Presbyteries of the Church of Scotland
Episcopal Church in the United States of America
- Dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America
- Provinces of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
- Districts of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
- Yearly Meetings
United Church of Canada
- Conferences and Presbyteries of the United Church of Canada
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Unitarian Universalist Association
References
- Lummis, Adair T. The Middle Judicatory as a System of Congregations Connected to the Regional Office Hartford Institute for Religious Research [1] Accessed 20 July 2006.