Commission on Ministry (COM)

Duties: COM is organized into two ministry teams (subcommittees) to serve as pastor, counselor, and advisor to the Teaching Elders and congregations of the Presbytery. The subcommittees are Ministry Support and Transitions. Each COM member is part of one of these teams that meets monthly. Members of COM are also called upon to:

  • Serve as a presbytery liaison to Pastor Nominating Committees (PNC) in churches seeking to call a teaching elder
  • Build and maintain relationships with teaching elder members of the presbytery
  • Serve on intervention/support teams with church sessions
  • Provide pastoral care, both short-term and ongoing
  • Offer support to church human resource/personnel committees

Meetings: Last Wednesday of the month. Subcommittees meet at  3 pm, depending on the docket. The full committee meets in plenary from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Chairperson:  TBD

Gifts and skills: Wisdom, humility, compassion – a willing heart with care and concern for an individual pastor and the congregation as a whole and critical impartial thinking.

Knowledge and understanding of: the Book of Order, Presbytery of the Pacific processes and procedures, the diversity within/among church cultures, conflict management/resolution, listening, and interfacing well with people.

Passion for: the health and well-being of the Church; pastoring teaching and ruling elders; prayerfully seeking the will of God through the direction of the Holy Spirit as expressed through the deliberations and contributions of the full COM committee, Sessions, and Pastor Nominating Committees.

Willingness to: spend time beyond monthly meetings to faithfully complete tasks and responsibilities. Sign a Code of Ethics promising to maintain confidentiality and avoid any conflict of interest while serving on COM. Actively participate in the life of the Presbytery.

Resources:

Terms of Call (Clergy Minimum Terms of Call)

Having a Conversation on Terms of Call (PCUSA)

COM MDP Process Flowchart 

Guidelines for Commission on Ministry Liaisons Supporting Pastor Nominating Committees (PNC)

Expectations of the Session during a Pastoral Search

Expectations of Pastor Nominating Committee