Committees

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Commission on Ministry

The Commission on Ministry examines ministers seeking membership in Presbytery and recommends those who shall continue, gives oversight to churches without pastors, develops standards for ministers’ compensation, establishes interim and temporary pastoral relations.

Think about the significance of the name of this committee. Presbytery, however, may delegate to the committee the authority “to find in order calls issued by churches, to approve and present calls for service of ministers, to approve the examinations of ministers transferring from other presbyteries, to dissolve the pastoral relationship in cases where the congregation and pastor concur, and to dismiss ministers to other presbyteries, with the provision that all such actions be reported to the next stated meeting of the presbytery.” It is still one of the preeminent committees of presbytery, listed in the structures specified in the constitution. Both traditions that joined to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) always regarded this committee as preeminent in presbytery. Each held the commission or committee in high regard not only because of its role in church government but also because of the quality and character of the persons who have been its leaders.

The name is “ministry”, not “the minister” and not “ministerial relations”. The name suggests a broader responsibility than parish ministers and the personnel needs of churches. The Committee on Ministry is that committee in each presbytery charged by the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to “serve as pastor and counselor to the ministers of the presbytery, to facilitate the relations between congregations, ministers, and the presbytery, and to settle difficulties on behalf of presbytery when possible and expedient.

To navigate the work of this committee, you will need to pay close attention to the details you will find below. Many forms will need to be returned to com@presbynyc.org by the deadlines below to be considered at our upcoming meetings. Materials received after the deadlines will be referred to our next meeting.  

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Forms

To understand the inner-workings of the committee, you might like to download the COM Handbook, as created by the denomination, the COM Manual of Operations and the document that outlines the support that staff provide to the committee.

• An Overview on Calling a Pastor

• Instructions to Upload your Ministry Information Form to the Church Leadership Connection

• Sexual Misconduct Statement

• Report a Change in Pastoral Compensation

• A Contract for a Temporary Pastoral Call

• Issuing a Call to an Installed Position

• Calling a Congregational Meeting to Call a Pastor

• Equal Opportunity in Ministry Report

• Ordination/Installation Instructions and Form

• Dissolving a Pastoral Relationship

Other helpful forms and informational pieces can be found here:

• 2023 Minimum Installed Pastor Compensation

• Guidelines for Commissioning Lay Pastors

• Guidelines for Parish Associates

• Pulpit Supply Preaching Procedures

• Request to be on the Pulpit Supply List

• COM Liaison Report on Assigned Church

• Personnel Resource from OGA