Committees/Commissions
Expectations of Executive Committee (EC) Members
- Understand and support the mission and strategies of Pittsburgh Presbytery.
- Attend all EC meetings. There are six regular meetings each year and sometimes special called meetings. The meetings are scheduled from 7:00–10:00 AM. Although we often conclude early, it is important to stay for the whole meeting.
- Participate in the work of a standing committee or special team, as called upon to do so. The standing committees are: Finance, Personnel, Ecclesiastical, and Property. There is also an ad hoc Stewardship Team. Other special teams are formed from time to time, as needed.
- Attend the annual EC retreat (two days in January/February).
- Develop a working knowledge of the Presbytery Manual.
- EC members serve as the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Pittsburgh Presbytery Corporation.
- Read EC meeting documents thoroughly and in advance to be prepared to make decisions regarding the mission, personnel, properties, and finances of the presbytery.
- Attend meetings of presbytery and its branches when possible.
Expectations of Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) members
- Understand and support the mission and strategies of Pittsburgh Presbytery.
- Attend all CPM meetings. Meetings are held six times a year. Periodically a special meeting will be called when the docket is too full to accomplish in one meeting. Meetings begin at 4:00 PM and normally last anywhere from 2 to 4 1/2 hours.
- Serve on a Care Team. The Care Teams are assigned three or four students who are “under care” of Pittsburgh Presbytery. Care Teams give guidance to Inquirers and Candidates who are seeking to serve in an ordained ministry.
- Periodically serve as a reader of ordination exams.
- Attend CPM orientation and training. This is an hour and a half period, normally held in January, prior to a new members’ first CPM meeting.
- Read CPM meeting documents thoroughly and in advance to be prepared to participate in discussions and to make decisions regarding the care of the students seeking ordination.
- Read the CPM notebook.
- Work in a team spirit to carry out the directives and mission of Pittsburgh Presbytery, in compliance with national policies regarding the care of Inquirers and Candidates for ministry, and as guided by the Book of Order.
- Pray for those under care.
- Questions? Please email the Rev. Dr. Douglas Portz or call 412-323-1400 X 318.
Expectations of Commission on Ministry (COM) Members
- Understand and support the mission and strategies of Pittsburgh Presbytery.
- Attend all COM meetings. There are six regular meetings and sometimes a special meeting each year. The meetings are scheduled from 4:00-7:00 PM. Although we often conclude early, it is important to stay for the whole meeting.
- Participate in the work of at least one subcommittee. The subcommittees are: Ongoing Care, Temporary Pastoral Relations, Specialized/Honorably Retired, and Conflict Resolution.
- Serve as liaison to at least one church in transition.
- Make 2-3 congregational visits per year.
- Read the COM handbook.
- Attend liaison training.
- Learn and practice behavior-based interviewing (instruction included in Liaison Training).
- Participate in COM clearances. Each COM member should plan to attend one clearance per month.
