• 11.1 The Commission on Ministry is responsible and provides for the oversight, encouragement, support, and guidance to congregations, Ministers of Word and Sacrament, Commissioned Pastors, and (working with the GLD Committee) Certified Christian Educators in the navigation of processes and fulfillment of requirements, approvals, and authorizations that are associated with ministry roles, relationships, settings, and transitions.
• 11.2 The COM consists of 24 members, equally divided between Ruling Elders and Ministers of Word and Sacrament. The Executive Presbyter, Associate Executive Presbyter, and Stated Clerk are ex-officio members with voice but not vote. The Commission may organize its work in Regional Teams that report back to the whole COM.
• 11.3 Subcommittees/Ministry Teams serving as part of the COM include: Commissioned Pastors, Compensation and Pensions, and Ministerial Rolls.
• 11.4 Committee on Ministry Responsibilities (full committee and/or COM Leadership Team)
  • a. Approve policies as necessary to inform the work of the Region’s and the presbytery j. as related to COM areas of oversight
  • b. Appoint Moderators for church sessions when there is no called or temporary pastor
  • c. Approve severance agreements when pastors leave a church
  • d. Approve terms of call for new calls
  • e. Approve Ordination and/or Installation Commissions for new calls
  • f. Approve Pastors to labor outside and inside the bounds of the Presbytery
  • g. Approve Temporary Pastor and Moderator assignments for the Presbytery as a whole
  • h. Provide training and support for Commissioned Pastors
  • i. Dissolve relationships between churches and pastors
  • j. Dismiss pastors to other Presbyteries
  • k. On an annual basis, establish minimum terms of call for new calls for pastors and Certified Christian Educators for presbytery action
  • l. Make recommendations to the Presbytery Council regarding the need to establish an Administrative Commission in a church
  • m. Maintain the Occasional Supply List
  • n. Appoint a member to serve on the Presbytery Examinations Committee annually
• 11.5 The primary role of Region members is to be in relationship with the churches they serve as liaisons. Liaisons are the primary link between pastoral leaders and congregations and the Committee on Ministry and Presbytery. Liaisons will be in regular communication with their assigned churches. The goal is to be a known “face of the Presbytery” that pastors, sessions, and congregations can go to for assistance.Actions taken in Regional Meetings are reported to the COM for information only. If necessary due to scheduling constraints, any duty normally delegated to a Region may be referred to and managed by the COM Leadership Team. When doubt exists about a Region’s authority or appropriateness to act, the matter shall be referred to the COM or COM Leadership Team. Delegation of duties between the full committee and the Regions may be modified as appropriate by the COM.Committee on Ministry Region Responsibilities:
  • a. Assign liaisons to establish positive working relationships with churches and pastoral leaders
  • b. Approve terms of call within the Region
  • c. Work with congregations to ensure compliance with Minimum Terms of Call and other compensation guidelines
  • d. Assist churches in pastoral/leadership transitions
  • e. Conduct an Exit Interview with pastoral leaders and Certified Christian Educators when they leave a congregation or new worshiping community
  • f. Work with churches to conduct a Mission Study during pastoral transition or at other times as deemed necessary by the Region
  • g. Approve Mission Studies within the Region
  • h. Approve formation of PNC’s and APNC’s within the Region Approve Ministry Discernment Profiles (MDP’s) Grant permission to eliminate installed positions
  • i. Train and work with Pastor Nominating Committees (PNC’s) and Associate Pastor Nominating Committees (APNC’s) during the call process
  • j. Approve Ministry Discernment Profiles (MDP’s)
  • k. Grant permission to eliminate installed positions
  • l. Work with congregations seeking a Temporary Pastor (Interim, Stated Supply, Occasional Supply with Moderator, etc.)
  • m. Work with congregations desiring to create Parish Associate positions
  • n. Approve contracts between Temporary Pastors and a congregation
  • o. Receive and Dismiss Ministers of Word and Sacrament from/to other presbyteries or denominations.
  • p. Authorize the Administration of the Lord’s Supper in settings within the bounds of Grace Presbytery not covered by another council of the church.
  • q. Approve and maintain an occasional pulpit supply list.
• 11.6 Subcommittee on Commissioned Pastors Responsibilities:
  • a. Approve training requests for individuals wishing to become a Commissioned Pastor (CP)
  • b. Provide training and support for CP’s and CP candidates
  • c. Recommend commissioning for particular pastoral service for CPs to a congregation
  • d. Appoint a member to serve on the Presbytery Examinations Committee annually
• 11.7 Subcommittee on Ministerial Roles Responsibilities:
  • a. Maintain contact with and receive annual reports of activities from members of presbytery who are laboring outside the bounds of presbytery
  • b. Validate specialized ministries and maintain records and annual certifications of pastors serving in them
  • c. On an annual basis, review the status of members-at-large within the Presbytery, renewing as appropriate
• 11.8 Subcommittee on Compensations Responsibilities:
  • a. On an annual basis, propose to COM minimum terms of call for pastors and Certified Christian Educators
  • b. Review terms of call for new and continuing relationships, recommending approval or disapproval to Regions
• 11.9 After consultation with the congregation and constituency of a particular church (G3.0303b), the COM may recommend to the Strategic Coordinating Commission that a congregation be dissolved.

A commission is empowered to consider and conclude matters referred to it by a council. The designating council shall state specifically the scope of the commission’s powers and any restrictions on those powers. (G-3.0109)