09 September 1997 approved by Presbytery to take
effect 01 January 1998
10 March 1998 one amendment approved by Presbytery
PRESBYTERY OF KISKIMINETAS
MANUAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS
(March 10, 1998)
CONTENTS
M-1.00 MEETINGS OF THE PRESBYTERY
M-1.01: The Presbytery shall meet six times each year.
M-1.02 Meeting
Schedule
Normally, Presbytery meeting dates will be as follows:
| January | Second Saturday | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| March | Second Tuesday | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM |
| May | Second Tuesday | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM |
| June | Fourth Tuesday | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| September | Second Tuesday | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM |
| November | Second Saturday | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
The January and November meeting places will ordinarily not be located in the extreme ends of the Presbytery.
M-1.03: The Presbytery Council shall recommend to the Presbytery, in June, dates for the next year's meetings.
M-1.04: Docket Committee
M-1.05: Recording Clerk
The Presbytery may elect, annually, a Recording Clerk, nominated by the
Stated Clerk, who shall keep a true written record of the proceedings of each Stated
Meeting.
M-2.00: COMMITTEES OF PRESBYTERY
M-2.01 a: There shall be eight Committees of the Presbytery as follows: Committee on Nominations, Committee on Representation, Committee on Congregational Ministries, Committee on Diaconal Ministries and Mission, Committee on Ministry, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Committee on Ecclesiastical Affairs, and Committee on Presbytery Administration.
M-2.01 b: Meetings
Committees shall meet at least four times a year. Committees must submit to Council their
schedule of meeting dates and places for the following year by October meeting of Council.
Committees of Presbytery report directly to the Presbytery.
M-2.01 c: Service on Committees
All active resident ministers employed in validated ministries, except the Presbytery
Stated Clerk, Moderator, Vice-Moderator, and Presbytery staff, shall serve on a committee
of Presbytery or as a Synod Commissioner unless exempted by the Presbytery. No minister or
elder shall serve concurrent terms on more than one committee of Presbytery. In addition
to serving on a Presbytery committee, ministers may serve concurrently on a task group of
the Presbytery or of the Council.
M-2.01 d: Composition of Committees
The Committees of Presbytery and of Council shall normally be composed of one-half
ministers and one-half elders/deacons/members, unless otherwise specified by the Book
of Order. If a committee has an odd number of members the majority shall be
elders/members. Any committee may have the right to co-opt members, for one year, if the
person is not serving on another committee of the Presbytery, and subject to the approval
of Presbytery. A person may be co-opted for one additional year with the approval of
Presbytery. No person shall serve as a co-opted member of a committee for more than two
consecutive years. Should the number of ministers in the Presbytery not be sufficient to
meet specified committee membership, the positions will be filled by elders, deacons or
members of congregations.
M-2.01 e: Filling Committee Vacancies
Book of Order required committees (Committee on Representation, Committee on
Nominating, Permanent Judicial Commission, Committee on Ministry, Committee on Preparation
for Ministry) shall receive priority in filling committee vacancies.
M-2.01 f: Quorum
A quorum for all committees shall be a majority of committee membership, unless otherwise
specified by the Book of Order.
M-2.01 g: Terms
No committee member shall be eligible to be elected to serve for more than six (6)
consecutive years on the same committee until a period of one (1) year has elapsed.
M-2.01 h: Reports
Each committee may report at Stated Meetings of Presbytery. Two written copies of the
report shall be submitted to the Stated Clerk.
M-2.02: DIACONAL MINISTRIES AND MISSION
Presbytery shall carry out its ministry of compassion, mission & justice through the Committee
on Diaconal Ministries and Mission which shall be composed of twelve people.
M-2.02 a: Responsibilities
The Committee on Diaconal Ministries and Mission shall:
1. Assume responsibility to initiate and to provide oversight and support for
ministries such as Truck Stop Ministry, Park Ministry, Presbyterian Homes, and
Presbyterian Media Ministries.
2. Assume responsibility to develop and support ecumenical relationships,
such as, Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania, The Waldensian-Methodist
International Partnership, and the Northwest Pennsylvania ecumenical coalition.
3. Assume responsibility for seeking funds from Synod, General Assembly,
and other sources for approved mission and ecumenical projects.
4. Assume responsibility for advocacy of compassionate concerns and
leading the Presbytery in the identification, development and implementation of new
ministries dealing with the broad spectrum of human and social concerns.
5. Assume responsibility for the development and support of such ministries as: Peacemaking,
the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and the Self-Development of People.
M-2.02 b: SELF
DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE
a. The Self Development of People Committee shall be constituted in such
a manner as to conform with the requirements of the National Self Development of People
Committee.
b. The Self-Development of People Committee shall be a sub-committee of the Committee on Diaconal Ministries and Mission and shall be constituted so as to meet certification requirements of the National SDOP Committee. A member of the Self-Development of People Committee shall serve as member of the Committee on Diaconal Ministries and Mission.
6. Assume responsibility for interpretation of the mission of the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly.
M-2.03: CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES
Presbytery shall carry on its ministry of supporting Sessions in congregational ministries through the Committee on Congregational Ministries which shall be composed of twenty-four people.
M-2.03 a: Responsibilities
The Committee shall:
1. Assume responsibility for presbytery-wide educational and developmental opportunities for children, youth and adults such as Presbytery Day and the Fall Enrichment Day;
2. Serve as a resource to Sessions in the area of Christian Education in curriculum review, program development, teacher training and other related educational concerns;
3. Assume responsibility for oversight of the Presbytery Youth Council, youth programming and activities;
4. Assume responsibility for serving as a liaison between the Presbytery and the Camping Association of the Presbyteries of Northwestern Pennsylvania, in conjunction with those serving as members of the CAPNWP Board;
5. Assume responsibility for providing to Sessions encouragement, training, and resources in member care, evangelism, worship and church growth, giving particular attention to assisting Sessions to implement approved strategies for congregational revitalization or redevelopment;
6. Assume responsibility for providing training and resources
for leadership development, particularly in the areas of:
a. Preordination
preparation and continuing education for elders and deacons;
b. Professional
development and continuing education for minister members of the Presbytery; and
c. Spiritual
formation/development
7. Assume responsibility for providing training and resources for Sessions in stewardship concerns, especially financial aspects.
8. Assume general oversight of the Presbytery Resource Center.
M-2.04: COMMITTEE
ON MINISTRY
Presbytery shall carry on its ministry of developing and implementing a strategy for
congregational location, redevelopment, and shared pastoral leadership, and for developing
and caring for pastoral leadership through the Committee on Ministry
M-2.04 a: Composition and general responsibilities
The Committee on Ministry shall be composed of twelve elders and twelve
ministers, and shall fulfill the responsibilities as listed in the Book of Order
(G-11.0500 through G-11.0504). It shall further the spiritual and temporal welfare of
the congregations, ministers, certified Christian educators, administrators and musicians,
and commissioned lay pastors. The Committee on Ministry, at all times, shall be directly
accessible to all ministers, certified educators, certified administrators and certified
musicians, and elders of the Presbytery in active service.
M-2.04 b: Powers delegated by the Presbytery
In accordance with Form of Government (G-11.0502 h), the Committee on Ministry shall have
authority to find in order calls issued by churches, to approve
and present calls for services of ministers, to approve the examination,
required by G-11.0402, of ministers transferring from other presbyteries, to dissolve
the pastoral relationships in cases where the congregation and pastor concur, to
grant permission for ministers to labor within or outside the bounds of the
presbytery, and to dismiss ministers to other presbyteries, with
the provision that all such actions be reported to the next stated meeting of the
presbytery (G-9.0403, G-14.0507 c).
M-2.04 c: Triennial Visits
The Committee on Ministry shall be responsible for the Triennial Visitation of
Sessions. The Committee on Ministry may enlist ministers and elders not currently
on the Committee on Ministry to assist in the Triennial Visitations. At least one member
of a Triennial Visitation Team shall be a member of the Committee on Ministry.
M-2.04 d: COM and Strategy Development
The Committee on Ministry shall serve as the instrument for the development of a
Presbytery strategy for the mission of the church in this area including, but not
limited to: organizing new congregations; redevelopment/revitalization of existing
congregations; dividing, dismissing or dissolving congregations; the location of
congregations desiring to move, yoke, merge, or federate. The Committee on Ministry shall:
1. Assume responsibility for providing counsel and support to Sessions
in the areas of:
a. planning for revitalization or redevelopment
b. determining mission program and direction
c. using and conducting research and surveys
d. working with Sessions, at the time of a pastoral vacancy,
to determine particular needs for future pastoral leadership in the areas
of pastoral leadership style,
intensity (full-time, part-time or shared pastoral leadership),
type(permanent or temporary), pastoral experience and skills.
2. Assume responsibility for providing counsel and support to churches, and making recommendations to the Presbytery Trustees, concerning construction, additions and/or modifications to buildings and property which require loans.
3. Assume responsibility for seeking funds from Synod, General Assembly, and other sources for approved congregational revitalization or redevelopment efforts.
4. Assume responsibility for immediate and long-range strategy concerns in the areas of: alignment of multi-point fields, area ministry fields or larger parishes, or involving ecumenical relationships. No relationship between churches shall be established or dissolved without action of the Committee and of the Presbytery.
5. Assume responsibility for the oversight and assignment of Commissioned Lay Pastors and Authorized Lay Preachers.
M-2.05: COMMITTEE
ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY
The Presbytery shall fulfill its responsibility for the recruitment and preparation of
individuals for service as ministers of Word and Sacrament, Commissioned Lay Pastors and
Lay Supply Preachers through the Committee on Preparation for Ministry
which shall be composed of five elders and four ministers.
M-2.05 a: Responsibilities
The Committee on Preparation for Ministry shall:
1. Assume responsibility for the enlistment, care and oversight of candidates for the professional ministry, and to present them to the Presbytery for examination for ordination.
2. Have authority to enroll Inquirers, in accordance with Form of Government (G-14.0303 e), with the provision that the action be reported to the next stated meeting of the presbytery. (G-9.0403)
3. Assume responsibility for recruiting and providing for the training of people desiring to serve as Commissioned Lay Pastors and Authorized Lay Preachers.
M-2.06: Presbytery shall carry on its ecclesiastical responsibilities through the Committee on Nominations, the Committee on Representation, the Committee on Ecclesiastical Affairs, and the Permanent Judicial Commission.
M-2.06 a: COMMITTEE
ON NOMINATIONS
1. Composition: There shall be a Committee on Nominations, consisting of
three classes with one minister, one female elder and one male elder in each class,
elected for a three-year term at the November meeting of Presbytery, and the Executive
Presbyter, ex-officio without vote. The Presbytery Council shall be
responsible for nominating the chairperson and other members of this committee to the
Presbytery. The committee shall meet on the call of the chairperson.
2. Responsibilities: To secure and maintain an accurate and workable list of members, deacons, elders and ministers available for committee assignments in the fields of their special interest and abilities. From this list and the Roll of Ministers of Presbytery, it shall submit, at November meeting of Presbytery one nomination for each vacancy for the Officers of Presbytery, all committees of Presbytery and the chairperson (except the Nominating Committee and the President of the Trustees) and all representatives to any ecclesiastical body as required, and Commissioners and Alternates to General Assembly and Synod
a. In the event of any resignation from a committee or other position, the Nominating Committee shall endeavor to fill that vacancy at the next regularly scheduled meeting of Presbytery.
b. In all cases, elections shall be by ballot if there are nominations from the floor.
c. The chairperson of the Nominations Committee shall be available as a resource to the Moderator of the Presbytery in the matter of appointments to task groups or commissions.
d. The Nominations Committee shall report to the Committee on Representation at least three weeks prior to the November Presbytery meeting.
Nomination of Moderator and Vice-Moderator
e. The Nominations Committee will nominate chairpersons for all committees, of the Presbytery and of the Presbytery Council, and for the Moderator and Vice Moderator of the Presbytery, seeking to insure that these nominations rotate between ministers and elders, and provide for representation from the diverse geographic areas of the Presbytery.
Nomination of GA Commisioners
f. The Nominations Committee shall annually nominate elders and ministers to serve as Commissioners to the General Assembly. The Alternate General Assembly Commissioners shall become the nominees for Commissioners the next year, unless they served as the Commissioner in the year for which they were elected as an alternate.
M-2.06 b: COMMITTEE
ON REPRESENTATION
Composition:
There shall be a Committee on Representation, whose membership shall consist six people,
equal numbers of men and women. A majority of the members shall be elected from the racial
ethnic groups within the governing body and the total membership shall include persons
from each of the following categories:
1. majority male membership
2. majority female membership
3. racial ethnic male membership
4. racial ethnic female membership
5. youth male membership
6. youth female membership
7. a person with a disability
Responsibilities:
The primary function of the Committee on representation shall be to advise the Presbytery
with respect to its membership and to that of the committees in implementing the
principles of participation and inclusiveness to ensure fair and effective representation
in the decision-making of the church.
The Committee on Representation shall serve both as an advocate for the representation of racial ethnic members, women, different age groups, and persons with disabilities; and as a contributing resource to the Presbytery in these areas. The Committee on Representation shall review the performance of the Presbytery and shall report annually to the Presbytery and to the Synod with recommendations for any corrective action. The Committee on Representation shall consult with the Nominations and Personnel Committees of Presbytery.
M-2.06 c: ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS
The Committee on Ecclesiastical Affairs shall be composed of three elders and three ministers, and shall have responsibility for maintaining the history of the Presbytery, for conducting the annual Session records review, and for preparing and recommending to Presbytery action on Overtures and Proposed Amendments to and from the Synod or General Assembly.
M-2.07: PRESBYTERY ADMINISTRATION
The Presbytery shall oversee and fulfill its civil and administrative responsibilities through the Committee on Presbytery Administration which shall be composed of five elders and four ministers.
M-2.07 a: The Committee on Presbytery Administration shall have responsibility for:
1. Personnel Concerns:
a. Advising the Presbytery Council on the employment of non-exempt staff;
b. Providing for an annual performance review for all exempt and non-exempt staff;
c. Conducting the annual review of adequacy of compensation for all exempt and non-exempt
staff members;
d. Serving as a staff grievance committee;
e. Advising the executive presbyter, as head of staff, on staffing concerns.
2. Budget and Finance
a. Reviewing and recommending to the Presbytery Council the annual Mission and
Administrative budgets, as developed by the executive presbyter;
b. Reviewing monthly financial reports;
c. Overseeing the investment of Presbytery reserve funds and endowments;
d. Overseeing the proper expenditure of designated funds;
e. Advising the executive presbyter, as the presbytery administrator, on fiscal matters;
f. Arranging for and reporting to the Presbytery Council an annual audit or review of the
financial records of the Presbytery.
3. Trustees
The Committee on Presbytery Administration shall be nominated as the Trustees of the
Presbytery fulfilling corporate and civil responsi-bilities as provided by Commonwealth
law and the Book of Order.
M-2.08:
PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION
In accordance with the Rules of Discipline (D-5.0101) there shall be a Permanent Judicial
Commission to consist of four ministers and three ruling elders. The term of office
shall be for six years in classes as nearly equal as possible. The commission shall
select a Moderator and Clerk from among its members at its first meeting each
year. No person who has served a full term of six years shall be eligible for
reelection until he/she has been out of office for at least four years.
M-3.00: PRESBYTERY COUNCIL
M-3.01: The Presbytery Council shall serve as the long range planning, strategy, budgeting, and coordinating body of the Presbytery.
M-3.02: Composition
Presbytery Council membership shall consist of the following people:
1. Chairperson of the following Committees: (with voice and vote)
a. Congregational
Ministries
b. Diaconal Ministries
c. Committee on
Ministry
d. Committee on
Preparation for Ministry
e. Presbytery
Administration Committee
f. Committee on
Representation
g. Committee on
Nominations
h. Committee on
Ecclesiastical Affairs
2. Three at-large ministers (with voice and vote)
3. Three at-large elders (with voice and vote)
4. A Representative from:
a. Presbyterian Women
(with voice, and vote if an elder)
b. Presbyterian Men
(with voice, and vote if an elder)
c. Presbytery Youth
Council (a youth member with voice, and vote if an elder)
5. Presbytery elected positions:(with voice and vote)
a. Presbytery Moderator
b. Presbytery
Vice-Moderator
c. Immediate Past
Presbytery Moderator (moderates the Council)
d. Stated Clerk of the
Presbytery
e. Assistant Stated
Clerk of the Presbytery
f. Presbytery Treasurer
or assistant treasurer in her/his stead
6. A representative from Synod Commissioners (with voice and vote)
7. Ex officio (voice but no vote)
a. Executive Presbyter
b. Presbytery Associate
for Congregational Ministries
M-3.02a: Meetings
The Presbytery Council shall meet in February, April, October, December, and at such other
times as requested in writing, by two members of the Council to the Stated Clerk.
M-3.02 b: Responsibilities of the Presbytery
Council
1. The Council shall nominate people to serve on the Nominating Committee, to be elected
by the Presbytery.
2. The Council shall be the financial planning agency of the Presbytery.
3. The Council shall receive all requests for special financial campaigns to be conducted among the churches of the Presbytery and to make recommendation to Presbytery for action.
4. The Council shall serve as the planning committee with responsibility of recommending to Presbytery programs, plans, staff job descriptions, and new or reduced staff positions.
5. The Council shall assume the responsibility of reviewing the Presbytery Mission statement and long range goals, at least once every three years, and making recommendation for modification or change in the Mission Statement and Long Range Goals to the Presbytery.
6. The Council shall report the result of the annual audit of the Presbytery financial records no later than the June meeting of Presbytery.
7. The Council shall assume any additional responsibilities assigned to it by the Presbytery, in accordance with the Book of Order.
M-3.04: PRESBYTERY DOCKET COMMITTEE
M-3.04 a: Composition
The Docket Committee shall consist of the Moderator and Vice-moderator of Presbytery, the
Stated Clerk, the Assistant Stated Clerk and the Executive Presbyter.
M-3.04 b: Responsibilities
The Docket Committee shall be responsible for:
1. Receiving written requests for docket time for each Presbytery meeting;
2. Establishing the docket for each Presbytery meeting;
3. Planning for the place and arrangements for each Presbytery meeting;
4. Recommending, through the Council, to the Presbytery at the June meeting the dates and places for Presbytery meetings the following year.
5. Recommending to Presbytery an annual plan for special emphasis and activities for Presbytery meetings.
6. Arranging for the opening worship service of each Presbytery meeting;
7. Coordinating the Presbytery activities calendar, approving requests for dates and activities
M-4.00: OFFICERS OF THE PRESBYTERY
M-4.01: The Moderator shall be the presiding officer of the Presbytery. The Moderator shall serve a term of one year beginning at the January Stated Meeting of the Presbytery. The Moderator shall fulfil the responsibilities of the office as stated in the Book of Order (G-9.0202 a).
M-4.02: The Vice-Moderator shall preside in the absence or at the request of the Moderator. The Vice-Moderator shall be elected annually and shall be the nominee to serve as Moderator the following year.
M-4.03: The Stated Clerk shall be the Ecclesiastical Officer and Parliamentarian of the Presbytery. The Stated Clerk shall fulfil the responsibilities of the office as outlined in the Book of Order (G-9.0203 a). The Stated Clerk shall publish the time and place of each Stated Meeting, send to every Session the forms for the Annual Reports, and shall prepare reports for Synod and General Assembly. The Stated Clerk shall oversee the work of the Ecclesiastical Affairs Committee. The Stated Clerk shall receive such compensation for his/her services as may be set by the Presbytery, on recommendation of the Presbytery Council.
M-4.04: The Assistant Stated Clerk shall assist the Stated Clerk in the performance of his/her duties, and shall assume the duties of the Stated Clerk in his/her absence, or at the request of the Stated Clerk, or the Presbytery.
M-4.05: The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer duties are to keep current and accurate records of the Presbytery's finances and shall present an annual report to the Presbytery at the March meeting and any such interim reports as requested by the Presbytery Council. The Treasurer shall receive such compensation for his/her services as may be set by the Presbytery, on recommendation of the Presbytery Council. The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer and function as Treasurer in the absence or inability of the Treasurer.
M-5.00 STAFFING
The Presbytery staff shall be governed by the Personnel Policies of the Presbytery as
adopted by the Presbytery Council.
M-5.01: The Presbytery staff shall be composed of the following types and positions.
M-5.01 a: Executive Staff-- The purpose of the executive staff is to provide administrative leadership and oversight for the Presbytery.
Executive Presbyter -- responsible for general administrative leadership and oversight; works closely with the Presbytery Council; provides primary staffing to the Committee on Ministry; Committee on Preparation for Ministry; Diaconal Ministries and Mission Committee, Presbytery Administration Committee; Nominating Committee and other committees and task groups as needed and appropriate.
M-5.01 b: Program Staff-- The purpose of the program staff is to assist the Presbytery in providing encouragement, support and development of congregational life and activity.
Presbytery Associate for Congregational Ministries -- provides primary staffing for the Congregational Ministries Committee, provides/coordinates congregational based training/development in the areas assigned to the Congregational Ministries Committee, provides primary staffing for Presbytery based educational/development activities and events, and other responsibilities as needed and appropriate.
M-5.01 c: Support Staff-- The purpose of the support staff is to provide administrative and secretarial support for the presbytery, and the executive and program staff of the presbytery.
Administrative Assistant/Office Manager -- office management; secretary to the Executive Presbyter; secretary to the Stated Clerk {including serving as recording clerk for Presbytery meetings}; preaching supply coordinator.
Secretary/Resource Center Coordinator -- assists the Administrative Assistant; general secretarial responsibilities; receptionist; general operation of the resource center, and other duties as needed and appropriate.
Office and Resource Center Assistant -- provides general secretarial assistance to the Administrative Assistant, the Presbytery Associate and the Secretary/Resource Center Coordinator.
Custodian -- provides for the care and cleanliness of the Presbytery Center.
M-5.02: Position Descriptions (Appendix A1-6)
A. Executive Presbyter
B. Presbytery Associate for Congregational Ministries
C. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
D. Secretary/Resource Center Coordinator
E. Office and Resource Center Assistant
F. Custodian
M-6.00: AMENDING AND SETTING ASIDE THE MANUAL
M-6.01: Amendments to the Manual of Administrative Operations require presentation at one meeting of the Presbytery for first reading, and a simple majority vote of the Presbytery at the next Stated Meeting of the Presbytery. The specific amendment shall be published with the Call for the Meeting at which the amendment will be considered for first reading and for action.
M-6.02: Provisions of the Manual may be set aside temporarily by two-thirds vote at any Stated or Called Meeting of the Presbytery.