Ministries COM
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Committee on Ministry: General Description.The Committee on Ministry is mandated by the Book of Order (G.11.0500). This Committee’s basic responsibility is to “serve as pastor and counselor to the ministers and Certified Christian Educators of the Presbytery, to facilitate the relations between congregations, ministers and Certified Christian Educators and the Presbytery, and to settle differences when possible and expedient. (G11.0501)” The organization of the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan is described in document A-2. The Committee also works closely with the Mediation Task Force (A-12) and the Response Coordination Team (A-14). To facilitate its work the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan is guided by the Advisory Handbook for Committees on Ministries published by the Office of Vocations, Presbyterian Church (USA) and by policies,papers and procedures adopted by the Committee. General information about the organization of the Committee and selected general policies, practices, procedures and forms follow on this COM Page of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan’s website. In some instances selected forms and reports use by the Committee can be completed on line and sent to the appropriate person or committee. These forms and reports will be indicated. Questions and further information about the work of the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan may be obtained from the Committee moderator or the Presbytery’s General Presbyter. Each of the COM documents listed below (with the exception of two) can be accessed by clicking on the document. You will then have the ability to see the complete document and download it for your use. Note: All documents unless otherwise noted are stored in Google Docs. You may view the file online or save to your computer using File->Download As. It is NOT necessary for you to have a Google account. A few of the documents are forms (they are marked with an *) you will be able to complete that form online and send it to the appropriate committee, person or the Presbytery Office. You are also able to download these forms. There are two documents (C-607 and D-2) which can be accessed only on the internet. Follow the instructions associated with those forms to access them. A - Organization of the Committee (selected)A-2 Committee Organization B -Presbytery Polices related to the work of the Committee on MinistryThese can be found on the Policies page. B-1 Minimum Terms of Call - Current year (also D-1) C -General Papers, Policies, Practices and Procedures (selected)C-200 - REGIONSThe Committee on Ministry has divided the Presbytery into three regions of approximately equal size for ease in working with the various churches and ministers. The regions are Southwest, North and East. Region membership is composed of ministers and elders from the region, one of whom shall be a COM Vice-Moderator. The responsibilities of the COM Vice-Moderators are outlined in A-9. The general responsibility of each region is to be the contact and resource for all ministers and churches in the region. Regions review and recommend to the full COM all calls and dissolutions, receive information about churches and all ministers (including Interims and Designated Pastors)serving churches in the Presbytery. C-205 Mediation Task Force (also A-12a) C- 300 TRIENNIAL VISIT SUBCOMMITTEEIn accordance with the Book of Order G-11.0502c, the Triennial Visits Subcommittee of the Committee on Ministry shall be responsible for all aspects related to visiting the churches of the Presbytery on a regular basis. The subcommittee will recommend for approval of the whole committee such procedures and policies as necessary for orderly conduct of these visits. The purpose of the triennial visit 1. The triennial visit is intended to: a. Be a conversation about the mission and ministry of the congregation. 2. The triennial visit is not intended to judge a local congregation’s ministry. C-304 What is a Triennial Visit? (Brochure) C-400 - TRANSITIONThe Committee on Ministry (COM) is charged with the responsibility to work with congregations as they seek to call pastors, associate pastors, interim pastors and associates, designated pastors, stated supplies, and temporary supplies or to dissolve their relationship with same. In addition they shall provide for implementation of equal opportunity employment and to see that all processes are done "decently and in order". The COM works with churches having vacant positions through a transition counselor (TC) who works directly with the local church committees and session from the time a pastor is ready to announce his/her departure until a new pastor is in place. This involves: 1. Explaining the call process to session. 2. Working with the Interim Search Committee to locate an interim pastor. . 3. Being present or seeing that a COM representative is present at the congregational meetings when they dissolve the pastoral relationship, elect a PNC, and vote to call the new pastor. 4. Assisting with the interim pastor selection process. 5. Helping organize and train the Pastor Nomination Committee (PNC). 6. Meeting regularly with the PNC throughout their search. 7. Coordinating executive checks with the General Presbyter (GP) for any candidate brought in for neutral pulpit, and the COM meeting with the final candidate including obtaining the background Inquiry Release Form. 8. Making monthly progress reports to COM's vice-moderator of the appropriate region. 9. Alerting COM to any problems or concerns related to the search process. 10. Guiding PNC and session through the Ordination/Installation service. C-400A Transition Checklist C-500 - CREDENTIALS SUBCOMMITTEEThe Credentials Subcommittee has the following basic responsibilities: A. Make recommendations regarding the membership of ministers seeking to labor within or become a member of the Presbytery. B. Making recommendations regarding the validation of ministries that are not related to a local congregation. C. The annual review of the membership of all ministers living or working within the Presbytery. D. Reviewing annual salaries of ministers serving churches within the Presbytery and recommending minimum terms of calls and honorariums. E. Special tasks as assigned that are related to Presbyterian ministers living and/or working within the bounds of the Presbytery. C-509 Clergy Presbytery Attendance Policy C-600 - CARE SUBCOMMITTEEThe Care Subcommittee seeks to build community, promote wellness and selfcare within the Presbytery among its ministers, lay pastors, Christian educators and professional staff of the Presbytery while encouraging their participation in the life of the Presbytery. C-601 Welcoming new minister members to Presbytery D. COMPENSATION: Related papers, policies, practices and proceduresD-1 Minimum Terms of Call - Current year (also B-1) |
