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Thank you
for serving as a Presbytery Commissioner.

We hope you will enjoy your experience.

Here is some information to help you become oriented to the format and processes used during regular stated meetings of the Presbytery of Cincinnati.

PRESBYTERY BASICS

Meetings

The Presbytery meets four times each year in February, May, September and November. A special meeting may be called if time-sensitive issues arise between meetings. Sessions are encouraged to elect commissioners to serve for at least one year.                      

Mission Statement

In a changing world, the Presbytery of Cincinnati is called to proclaim and live out the Good News of Jesus Christ by welcoming diversity, forming partnerships, building unity, and connecting with our communities.                                                                            

Mission Priorities

Officers

Staff

Print the important documents. You will not want to print all of the documents; there are too many. Print those pages to which you want to refer.

Plan to arrive at the meeting early enough to register and review the documents distributed during registration.

Arrange all documents in the order of the agenda.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A MEETING

When you arrive at the meeting, go to registration where you will sign in, get a name tag, and get the rest of the documents.

Introductions – Early on the agenda will be a time to introduce new commissioners. If there is no one from your church to introduce you, please stand and introduce yourself.

Each stated meeting contains four components – business, education, worship and fellowship. During the fellowship time, heavy hors d’oeuvres or a light meal is served. You are encouraged to sit with people you do not know and get acquainted.

When voting, remember that you are voting as you feel led by the Holy Spirit. You are not obligated to vote as you feel your pastor or congregation might choose to vote.

PROCEDURES

Robert's Rules

Meetings are conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
More information about parliamentary procedure can be found at: www.pcusa.org/resource/parliamentary-procedures-presbyterian-church-us/

How to speak at a meeting

Consent Agenda

The presbytery uses a consent agenda in order to expedite routine business. The items on the consent agenda will be among the documents available on the presbytery website approximately a week prior to the meeting. If there is an item on the consent agenda for which you would like clarification, more information or discussion and a vote separately, you may ask to pull that item from the consent agenda. The moderator will provide an opportunity to do that before the presbytery votes on the consent agenda.

More information on the use of the Consent Agenda

Examination Guidelines

When an inquirer is seeking to move from the stage of inquirer to candidate, the presbytery examines the inquirer “with respect to his or her Christian faith, forms of Christian service undertaken, and motives for seeking the ministry.”

When a candidate receives a call to ministry as a teaching elder, the presbytery examines the candidate “on his or her Christian faith and views, in theology, the Sacraments, and the government of this church.” During such an examination the presbytery follows these guidelines.