The person who takes minutes for the session and maintains all of the churchs ledgers of membership, births, baptisms, deaths, and elders is known as the clerk of session. The clerk of session is interested in and willing to. Click here to download the handbook for clerks of session. By his office, the pastor serves as the moderator of the session. Manual for clerks of session february 2014 4 introduction welcome to the office of clerk of session. Other documents that guide the clerk and the session in its work are the book of confessions of the pcusa, roberts rules of order newly revised, and the policy manuals and bylaws of the local. Jo hn smith, clerk of session sample presbyterian church. Election and duties the clerk of session is elected by the session. Serve as secretary for meetings of the congregation, seeing that the minutes are received by session and are inscribed in the permanent session minute book. Manual for clerks of session yellowstone presbytery.
Handbook for clerks of session introduction in what we now call the new form of government contained in the 201120 edition of the book of order of the presbyterian church u. Clerks annual questionnairecaq due feb 14, 2020 2019 clerks annual questionnaire the questions change every yearthis is the one chance that various parts of the pcusa have to ask congregations directly for information that helps them to. The presbyterian historical society provides advice to congregations on records management but does not hold congregation records of temporary value. Clerk of session guidebook presbytery of philadelphia. Manual for clerks of session and a reference for moderators. This video series reflects the 202015 pcusa book of order. An essay on the warrant, nature, and duties of the office of the ruling elder in the presbyterian church, chapter ix, edinburgh.
The book of order mandates that each mid council body of the pc. The clerk was addressing the issue of the denominations redefinition of marriage, the ongoing vote in the presbyteries, the position of their particular church, and the concern being. The clerk of session is a critical job in any presbyterian church. The clerk of session the book of church order bco requires that every court of the pca have a moderator and a clerk. Interviews with candidatesclergy entering the presbytery. Clerks in the constitution of the presbyterian church u. The clerk of session serves as secretary of congregational meetings see section. Serving as clerk of session presbytery of charlotte. Presbytery of plains and peaks manual for clerks of session. You have joined a unique and important group of people in the presbyterian church u. Retention requirements for financial and administrative records vary from state to state. The book of order mandates that each governing body of the pcusa have a moderator and a clerk. It is a book that addresses the needs of a church session, although limited by references to the former book of order. Pcusa book of order download book of confessions download standards of ethical conduct download.
The clerk and pastor work on the docket for the session meeting togetherbut book of order wise, the clerk is the primary person responsible for this. Presbytery of philadelphia clerk of session guidebook page 9 questions and help. Fact checking your clerk of session the presbyterian lay. However, the role takes on a special significance well beyond its stated duties. There are other responsibilities that show up in the book. The clerk of session maintains the history of the faithfulness of a particular church, through careful minutes and records. Participate in the annual clerk of day coordinated by the presbyterys stated session clerk. Clerks of presbyteries, synods, and the general assembly are called stated clerks. The clerk of session plays a vital role within the presbyterian church usa. Clc user guide for clerk of session presbyterian church u. Those serving sessions are called clerks of session or clerks to session, depending on whether the clerk is currently serving on session or not. Those serving sessions are called clerks of session. Contact the stated clerk if you need an updated copy. Clerks of session resources presbytery of charlotte.
The first thing to know is that the book of order is your hand book. The book of order mandates that each governing body of the pcusa have a moderator and a clerk1. Have you agreed to serve as clerk of session and now find yourself wondering what you have done. When a ruling elder or deacon submits to the clerk of session a written.
Manual for clerks of session march 30, 2015 4 introduction welcome to the office of clerk of session. The elder elected as clerk should understand the responsibilities and duties of the session, have knowledge of presbyterian church government, and be willing to learn basic parliamentary procedure. Revised june 20 page 2 forward the handbook for clerks of session is written for clerks by clerks as a guide to the responsibilities of the clerk of session. This handbook is written with the following assumptions in mind. I recently read a letter to the congregation from the clerk of session to the people of one of the largest congregations in the presbyterian church usa. A part of the reformed tradition, it is the largest presbyterian denomination in the us, and known for its relatively progressive stance on doctrine. Registers and rolls tips and best practices rolls can only be changed by the session, but the clerk maintains them. Pcusa book of order is the basis of this 2014 training. We really appreciate you taking the time to fill out the information. Pcusa preparation for ministry forms clerks of session.
Central florida presbytery manual for clerks of session. Manual for clerks of session national capital presbytery. The presbyterian church usa, abbreviated pcusa, is a mainline protestant christian denomination in the united states. This handbook builds on the framework of the manual for clerks of session. I have put together an extended definition of our categories of membership for you to. Click here to fill out the clerks annual questionnaire. The book of order the book of order is a governing document of the pcusa. The following list is intended to help a new clerk in a new overseeing session make a good start in his responsibilities. The list is not intended to be a complete catalogue of all that a clerk of session might do. Manual for clerks of session presbyteries of new covenant, midky, and milwaukee page 3 of 49 introduction elcome to the office of clerk of session. Clerkofsession checklist orthodox presbyterian church. You have joined a unique and important group of people in the. Jay bender leads a training time for presbyterian clerk of session folks in north carolina. Thank you for agreeing to be the clerk of session for your church.
You have joined a unique and important group of people within the presbyterian church u. Herbert nelson, ii serves as stated clerk of the general assembly of the presbyterian church u. On this page you can access a wide variety of epc documents and forms, including the book of order, general assembly minutes, position papers, as well as a wide variety of epc forms such as those used in approving candidates and calling ministers. What are some of the things a clerk of session should have access to. The clerk is one of the two session officers specified and required by the book of order, the other normally the pastor being the moderator. This handbook for clerks of session is written for clerks by clerks, as a guide to the responsibilities of clerks of session. The clerk must be an elder but does not need to be an active member of the session. The handbook for clerks of session is written for clerks as a guide to the responsibilities of the clerk of session. Clerks serving a session are called clerks of session. The stated clerk s office has received quite a few questions regarding membership as our clerks work through this season of statistical reporting. Eradicate the conditions that lead to violence from presbyterian church u. Clerks are unique and important group of people in the presbyterian church u. Necrology report for the year 2019 due january 31, 2020 terms of call reporting 2020 minimum terms of call information 2020 annual report of terms of call form book of order 20192020 book of order. A session is a body of elected elders governing each local church within presbyterian polity.
Manual for clerks of session presbytery of west virginia. Clerk of session training videos presbytery of coastal. Read on to learn about your responsibilities as put forth in the constitution of the presbyterian church u. The clerk of session is responsible for keeping the minutes of the session meetings. Clc user guide for clerk of session presbyterian church. Our general retention schedule for congregations follows below. The sessions, presbyteries, and synods of the presbyterian church u. There may be times that members of the congregation voice concerns to the session and that correspondence will come to you, which in turn you would share with the pastor as how best to proceed. The book of order mandates that each governing bodycouncil of the pcu. It is designed to be helpful in fulfilling the duties of a c lerk of s ession, and to provide guidance and information related to common questions which arise. Resources clc user guide for clerk of session share gods love with our neighborsinneed worldwide through one great hour of sharing. The book of order mandates that each governing body of the pcu. Records of congregations presbyterian historical society.
The clerk of session is a critical job in any presbyterian. Session which was originally developed for clerks of session in the presbytery of grand canyon in september 1997, first revised in 2003 and further revised in 20. Form whereby a session approves the ministry information form for circulation with church leadership connection. Resources for clerks of session book of confessions pcusa. The main thing that a clerk of session is responsible for. The book of order mandates that each mid council body of the pcu. The clerks of presbytery and general assembly are called stated clerks. Previous revisions reflect the substantial changes to the book of order that were proposed by the. Permission is given to use all or part of this document for local church use. Clerks of session share gods love with our neighborsinneed worldwide through one great hour of sharing.
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