Committees and Commissions
There are so many necessary details to make any community run smoothly, effectively and with accountability.
These committees and teams shape our mission together, insuring a quality of service.
Commission on Ministry (COM)
The Commission on Ministry enables the healthy ministry of our pastors and congregations. The committee prayerfully and conscientiously seeks to:
1. Listen with congregations as they seek God’s voice in their pastoral searches.
2. Validate pastors who are called to specialized ministries.
3. Serve as the fellowship of accountability for healthy and balanced relationships between parishes and pastors.
4. Provide our clergy with opportunities for pastoral and educational growth in their ministries.
5. Help clergy serve as prophetic and pastoral spiritual leaders by provide support and training for elders, deacons and congregational nominating committees.
6. Offer a trained response team when conflict threatens the well-being of a local congregation.
Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM)
The Commission on Preparation for Ministry is responsible to guide the process for full preparation of individuals who are to be ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament. The committee does this by:
1. Providing orientation for individuals and sessions considering church vocations.
2. Prayerfully discerning the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives and ministries of Inquirers and Candidates under care of the Presbytery.
3. Building faithful relationships with sessions and seminaries that support and train Inquirers and Candidates.
4. Providing direction and information to equip Inquirers and Candidates educationally and vocationally.
5. Challenging those in the preparation for ministry process to a mature obedience to the Holy Spirit in their life and vocation.
Resources
See Committee On Preparation for Ministry section of General Resources Page
PC(USA) Resources
Sexual Misconduct Response Team (SMRT)
SMRT, in consultation with the Committee on Ministry, may arrange for the pastoral care of affected persons (victim and immediate family, accuser and immediate family, and congregation and staff, of the accused). SMRT and the Committee on Ministry will also work with churches to prevent sexual misconduct and to support the creation of individual church sexual misconduct policies.
Committee on Representation and Nominations
1. Presbytery vice-moderator, and when needed, presbytery moderator
2. All permanent presbytery committee members
3. Synod commissioners
4. Presbytery “representatives” or special requests for General Assembly Committees
Justice, Peacemaking, and Mission Committee (JPM)
- Examine and approve grants related to the justice, peacemaking, and/or mission efforts of the Presbytery.
- Provide verbal and/or written reports for the Presbytery related to justice, peacemaking, and mission efforts.
- Report to Presbytery activities and stories for mission interpretation and stewardship.
- Organize and lead the Presbytery’s annual service day.
- Plan and lead special events and/or advocacy efforts related to justice, peacemaking, and mission.
- Educate the Presbytery on justice, peacemaking, and mission programs of the denomination.
- Plan and facilitate visits by mission speakers.
- Promote, interpret, and develop participation in the One Great Hour of Sharing and Peace and Global Witness special offerings.
- Oversee and administer the Presbytery’s portion of the annual Peace and Global Witness special offering.
- Evaluate and prioritize funding of continuing mission projects and ecumenical programs, and fund new proposals based on availability of funds in the budget.
- Decide who the recipient of the special offering collected at each Presbytery meeting will be.
Personnel Committee
Staff Relations reviews and evaluates the work and job descriptions of presbytery staff and employees, recommending changes for staff to the presbytery, and changes for employees to the Trustees.
1. It conducts an annual performance review, on behalf of Presbytery Council, that is developed from input solicited from those to whom the Presbytery Co-Executives are accountable. A more comprehensive performance review is completed by the Staff Relations Committee prior to re-election.
2. It reviews the adequacy of compensation on an annual basis.
3. It oversees the hiring of support staff.
4. It counsels with the staff, negotiates difficulties related to jobs and personnel and other work related to its area of responsibility.
5. It is responsible for the Employee Handbook of the presbytery.
Permanent Judicial Committee (PJC)
Responsible for carrying out the Church’s judicial process as defined by the Rules of Discipline.