Co-Presbyter Search
Welcome!
In this section you can learn more about the Co-Presbyter Model and what it will mean to the Presbytery of the Genesee Valley as we seek to nurture God’s love and provide servant leadership to our family of churches.
As of September 17, applications for this position are no longer being received by the Search Team.
If you have any questions, please contact Chuck Whitfield, 585-621-5268 (leave a message), secretary for the Search Team for the Co-Presbyter for Pastoral Vitality; he’s more than happy to assist you.
Occasional postings will be added to this webpage for information regarding the process and progress of the team.
Overarching theme
These documents best describe our Presbytery’s vision, strategy for implementing that vision, and organizing principles and structure.
- Vision Statement
- At its January 29, 2005 meeting, the Presbytery adopted this vision statement designed to lead our community of faith into the future.
- Implementation Strategy
- At its November 29, 2005 meeting, the Presbytery approved this strategy document designed to provide guidelines for implementing Our Vision
- Manual of Organization
- At its November 28, 2006 meeting, the Presbytery approved this revised Manual of Organization.
History and development of this leadership model
A Staffing Design Ministry Team looked at three models from various sources and believes this Co-Presbyter design reflects and captures the wisdom, knowledge, and experience of the presbytery staff as well as the spirit of the discussion that was evident at a Council retreat held specifically to discern, and pray together over staffing decisions.
The rationale for a Co-Presbyter model:
- The “flatness” encourages collegiality and collaboration and de-emphasizes hierarchy which has been “historically problematic” in the presbytery. This movement is not a rejection of our past but an owning of it while trying to find new ways of being church.
- The focus on Congregational Vitality and Pastoral Vitality strengthens these two key areas for the presbytery’s mission and encourages pastors and lay leaders to work together.
- Making the two positions equal in time and pay helps to avoid inequity in authority.
- The combined tasks of the two Leaders reflect the presbytery’s visions and strategies.
- The referral task for ministers is given to the Stated Clerk in order to avoid conflicts of interest with pastoral care.
The final proposal from the SDMT was presented to the Presbytery on May (23), 2006 for adoption. The recommendation passed with an amendment to the Position Descriptions.
Current Transition Process
The positions of Acting Co-Presbyter of Transition and Acting Co-Presbyter of Program Vitality (see Staff page) are transitional in hopes to begin to groom a presbytery ready to embrace the Co-Presbyter Model and the persons selected for the permanent positions.