Commission on Ministry

Chair: Todd Tracy

2026

• Rebecca Bostrom, RE
• Diane Flynn, TE
• Todd Tracy, TE

2027

• Carol Evans, RE
• Richard S Glass, RE
• Ronald N. Johnson, TE
• Justice A. Ofosuhene, TE
• Jonathan A. Seitz, TE

2028

• Mark Johnson, RE
• Mark Stansbery, RE
• David Howell, RE
• Betsy Rice, MWS
• Christine Burns, RE

The Congregational Life (CCL) support team provides assistance to church congregations. This team provides the following:

• Initial contact point for congregations for assessment, support, and or referral to another. When a need for deeper support is identified the CCL team will work cooperatively with the congregation and/or team for resolution.
• Mediation and support (MAST) – The Church Professional commissions members can assist or counsel a session in the resolution of difficulties within the congregation to restore its peace and harmony. This may include, but not be limited to, the removal and discipline of teaching elders by the church professionals.
• Train session in conflict resolution and leadership.
• Facilitate relationships between and within congregations and the presbytery.

The Commission for Congregational Life wants to assist clerks of session to
adequately record the life and ministry of congregations through the minutes of their session. Session record review is required by the Book of Order, G-3.0108a. We would like to make reporting and reviewing as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Through the Commission for Congregational Life, the Presbytery of Scioto Valley encourages and supports the development of churches in a variety of ways, including the initiation and participation in new church programs, fellowships, and new church developments.

• New Ministry Initiatives: Development and initial implementation of imaginative efforts to fulfill the Mission and Vision of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley
• 1001 Worshipping Communities: Working in tandem with PC(USA) denominational structures and resources to identify, develop, and strengthen new communities of worship and ministry in our area. https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/1001-2/
• Transformation: Consulting with existing congregations that are willing to undergo changes in their mission emphasis (such as merger, relocation, closure, and definition of ministry, etc.) which should re-direct their spiritual and numerical growth.

The journey to finding new pastoral leadership can be exciting, tedious, joyful, spiritually fulfilling, frustrating, inspiring, lengthy, and purposeful. The process is one of discernment and will challenge the congregation to listen closely for the will of God for its mission and ministry in this new stage of the congregation’s life.

This is a new step of faith that will bring your congregation together around the common goal of identifying who God is calling to serve your congregation.

Following is a list of resources to assist congregations in pastoral transition:

• On Calling a Pastor: A resource for pastor nominating committees and mid councils, prepared by Church Leadership Connection and the Office of the General Assembly: PC(USA) Media Uploads
• A series of training videos is available at: OGA PC(USA) Mid-Council Ministries
• The Church Leadership Connection (CLC) is the Internet-based matching and referral system of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). A system of login IDs and passwords helps guarantee security and confidentiality within CLC.

An annual church retreat is held in the fall to provide pastors and church professionals:

• Educational support
• Spiritual retreat
• Sense of community

Healthy Boundaries

For over three decades, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has acknowledged that sexual misconduct and exploitation have existed in its churches and among its members. Healthy Boundaries presents a positive approach to professional conduct and responsibilities. Periodic Healthy Boundaries training is required for all Church Professionals.

Care Task Team:
Rev. Jeff Jaynes, Chair

• Inquirer intake interviews
• Midwest career assessments
• Communications with general assembly
• Liaison to inquirers and candidates
• Annual consultants with inquirers and candidates
• Annual consultations with inquirers and candidates
• Guiding individual candidates processes

Examination and Credentials Task Team:

• Inquirer to candidate examinations
• Clearing candidates
• Examine pastors entering presbytery and from other denominations
• Ordination exams/proctors/readers
• Standards for ordination process

Care of Church Professionals Task Team:

• Mentor new pastors
• Liaison to pastors
• Pastor support team

The CRE program is an expansion of the church’s mission in a changing world. The ministry of Commissioned Pastors brings a marvelous richness to a congregation’s ministry and to the Presbytery’s mission. Commissioned Pastors are partners in mission as we seek to bring the good news of Christ to an ever-changing culture.

Although many CREs serve as part time pastors of small churches, there are other roles to which a person might be commissioned such as a parish associate or a member of a ministry team.

The program consists of core courses, practice of ministry courses and a nine month supervised field education experience, alternative clinical experience, communication and training on ethics and healthy boundaries.