Council of Presbytery
Vision Strategy Approved
At its November 29, 2005 meeting, the Presbytery approved this strategy document designed to provide guidelines for implementing Our Vision.
Events Proposal for Presbytery Meetings
In the interest of encouraging free-flowing interaction within the Presbytery, Council invites presbyters to propose events to be offered in conjunction with presbytery meetings.
If you have an idea which would be beneficial to share with a small group at a presbytery meeting, please describe your proposal on this form and submit it as indicated, no later than the Docket Request Deadline for the meeting at which you would like to present this event.
Request for Display Space at Presbytery Meetings
Complete and submit this form to request space for your committee, congregation or group to distribute materials at a Presbytery Meeting.
Mission
The primary purpose of Council is to “provide for the regular review of the functional relationship between Presbytery’s structure and its mission.” (Book of Order, G-11.0103 v.)
As such, it is “to develop strategy for the mission of the church in its area consistent with G-3.0000” (Book of Order, G-11.0103 a.)
And “to initiate mission through a variety of forms in light of the larger strategy of the synod and the General Assembly” (Book of Order, G-11.0103 c.)
In order to carry forward the vision and strategies of the Presbytery, Council has the following responsibilities:
- All Council members shall be trained in the concepts of Church Transformation and the Council should ensure that all committee chairs (including Trustees) are similarly trained. (Strategy One)
- We will do everything we can to support congregations, individuals and groups who are captured by the vision of growing in the knowledge, love and service of Jesus Christ. (Strategy Two)
- At least annually, Council will arrange for Presbytery to hear a report on a new congregation or a significantly transformed congregation. This may be about a Presbyterian congregation in New York or neighboring states—or it may concern a church within the geographical bounds of the Presbytery started by another denomination or independent body. (Strategy Two)
- As the Council provides for worship at meetings of the Presbytery, it will ensure that issues of social justice and moral concern, including poverty, racial and ethnic equality and domestic violence are lifted up in joint prayer. (Strategy Three).
- Council will actively encourage all congregations, committees, boards, members and staff of Presbytery to live out the values outlined in the preamble to our strategies, to take risks and be bold as we seek to know, live and share Christ and to act with justice and mercy in all things. (Preamble, Strategy Four). As part of this work, the Council will be diligent in assuring fair representation within all Presbytery groups. (Book of Order, G-11.0103 d, e, w.)
- Reflecting our strategic desire to “encourage, support, and bless innovation and risk-taking”, Council will serve as a mentor to Presbytery leaders that choose to come to it with ideas they feel would be beneficial to the Presbytery and its ministry. (Preamble)
The Council shall have nine (9) at-large members in three classes of three (3) persons, divided as evenly as possible between ministers and elders. Members shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Presbytery to three-year terms (or partial terms, when necessary). No member may serve more than six consecutive years. Care shall be taken to ensure that the Council is representative of both the demographics and the geography of the Presbytery.
Additionally, the following people shall serve as ex-officio (full members by virtue of their office with voice and vote) members of Council:
- The Chair of Council
- The Moderator
- The Vice-Moderator
- One representative from the following groups:
- Committee on Ministry,
- Committee on Preparation for Ministry,
- Mission and Advocacy,
- Representation,
- Administration,
- Personnel,
- Congregational Ministries,
- Clergy Care and Development,
- Presbyterian Women,
- Self-Development of People,
- Nominating, and
- Board of Trustees.
- Co-presbyter(s) (with voice, but not vote)
- The Stated Clerk (with voice, but not vote)
- Treasurer (with voice, but not vote)
Additionally, Council shall:
- Nominate members of Presbytery’s Nominating Committee.
- Review the Presbytery docket for each meeting of Presbytery.
- Recruit and appoint ministry teams as it deems necessary, or by request of Presbytery.
- Coordinate the relationship of the Presbytery with Synod and General Assembly.
- Review the Manual of Organization and propose amendments as may be appropriate.
- Have the full authority to consider and approve recommendations and actions of the Board of Trustees to the same extent as Presbytery could consider and act. Such authority shall apply to such matters that require action before the next regularly scheduled stated meeting of Presbytery. Any such actions shall be reported to Presbytery at the next stated meeting and fully spread in the minutes.
- Have the authority to make decisions on behalf of Presbytery in the approval of grant applications. Any such actions shall be reported to Presbytery at the next stated meeting and fully spread in the minutes of such stated meeting.
- Provide for worship at meetings of Presbytery which may be planned and led by ministry teams appointed by the Council.
- Receive and recommend the disposition of overtures, resolutions, proposed amendments to the Constitution and proposed Presbytery policies. Other motions to be brought before Presbytery need not come through the Council unless the mover wants to seek Council’s advice regarding the proposed action and the Chair of Council deems it wise.
- Council shall ensure and provide for training of Council members in the responsibilities and procedures of the Council.
- Council shall receive the proposed annual budget, evaluate it in light of the vision and strategies and recommend Presbytery action.
- Council shall have the authority to act on behalf of Presbytery in approving duly elected members of committees or boards to be chair of that committee or board.
- The Council shall have the authority to act on behalf of presbytery in appointing an acting stated clerk for the presbytery in the event of the stated clerk’s illness, incapacity, or death. The acting stated clerk shall serve up to one year. At such time as it becomes clear that the stated clerk will not be able to resume his or her office, the Council shall provide for the election of a new stated clerk at a presbytery meeting, in conformity with Book of Order procedures.
The Council shall determine appropriate compensation for an acting stated clerk, subject to approval by the presbytery, and such compensation shall be paid through per-capita apportionment.