Committees

The following committees have pages of their own, click on the committee name to be taken to their page.

So much of the work of Presbytery is done through people serving on its committees and in other capacities. They are contributing in a significant way to the witness of the Church of Jesus Christ, through their direct work on behalf of the Presbytery of West Virginia. We thank them for their willingness to give of themselves in this important way to the work which our Presbytery does in mission and ministry to the wider governing bodies - the Synod of The Trinity and the General Assembly.

For Information concerning committee dates, places and times, click on calendar.

OFFICE OF MODERATOR
TERM: One year, Chair of Council the next; therefore, 2-year commitment

Must alternate, Minister one year, Elder the next.

FUNCTION: Moderate Presbytery meeting five times per year, make appointments as required, member of Council. Help in forming agenda. Meetings of Presbytery rotate around the quadrants quarterly.

OFFICE OF VICE MODERATOR
TERM: Two years, not eligible for reelection.

FUNCTION: Unless the Moderator chooses to preside, each Vice Moderator shall ordinarily preside at each installation and ordination of ministers within the Quadrants from which elected. The Vice Moderator of each Quadrant is authorized, and directed to sign, in the Moderator's behalf, the stamp of approval to be placed on the Session Minutes and the Church Records of the churches within the Quadrant from which elected. The Vice Moderator of each Quadrant shall perform such other duties as may be determined from time to time by the Presbytery.

CHAIR OF COUNCIL
TERM: one year

Council shall set its own meeting dates and places, rotating among the Quadrants, at a time and place fixed by its own action and reported to Presbytery at its first stated meeting of the year.

COUNCIL Members-at-large
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Equalize representation among Council members and quadrants, including consideration for the gifts and requirements for ministry.

Meetings of Council rotate among the quadrants, four times a year, usually on Thursday.

CAMPS, CONFERENCES AND RETREAT MINISTRIES COMMITTEE
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Plan, promote, implement and maintain effective camps, conferences and retreats for the Presbytery. Oversight includes, but is not limited to, summer camping at Bluestone Conference Center.

Meets 6-8 times a year, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Presbytery office. One of those meetings is held at the camp site at BCC during the Summer Program.

CHRISTIAN NURTURE AND WORSHIP
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Assist congregations in developing resources for worship and education. Includes leadership development at all levels, support and nurture for church educators, and supporting programs that lead to personal and corporate spiritual growth.

Meets 4-6 times a year, primarily at the Presbytery office in South Charleston , the committee setting the day of the week and time. Sub-committees may also have additional meetings as needed.

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Approves calls issued to ministers; works with churches seeking pastoral leadership; provides pastoral care to all congregations, particularly those without pastors; provides resources for managing conflicts in churches; oversees recruitment, training, and deployment of Commissioned Lay Preachers and Lay Pastors; provides for triennial visits of ministers and Sessions.

Meets monthly in the Charleston area, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each third Tuesday of the month. Members assigned to subcommittees with some assigned work between meetings.

COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: To work in partnership with sessions, other governing bodies, and theological institutions in giving direction and support to inquirers and candidates for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. Also, the CPM, as part of its participation within the connectional system, will nominate to the Presbytery the names of persons recommended as readers for the standard ordination examinations.

Usually meets the second Friday of each month when there is business to conduct. Usually meets in the Charleston area.

COMMITTEE ON REPRESENTATION
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Advocate to Presbytery for representation of ethnic members, quadrants, women, age groups, persons with disabilities. Review Presbytery activity on equal representation, reporting to the Presbytery and Synod. Advise Presbytery on policy of principles of participation and representation on employment of personnel.

Meets twice a year, sending representatives to the meetings of Nominating Committee when possible, and also to various search committees for employment of personnel. These meetings are day or evening, any day of the week. The meetings are held at a location closest to the most members. Meetings of other committees attended may rotate among the quadrants.

COMMITTEE ON SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Review grant proposals for community projects in West Virginia that are eligible for financial assistance provided by General Assembly, and recommend such assistance to the national SDOP Committee. The majority of members on this committee must be from minority ethnic groups, and committee membership must be certified by the national SDOP Committee.

Usually meets once or twice in the spring.

CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Provide congregations with resources for revitalization and development. As appropriate, recommend to Presbytery financial resources needed by congregations to carry out local mission. Assist congregations' efforts to grow spiritually and numerically. Also assist in the founding of new congregations.

Meets monthly on the third Tuesday at the Presbytery office in South Charleston .

FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Apply Presbytery's financial resources in support of Presbytery mission and program; provide budget information to the Presbytery; oversee investments, Presbytery's Mission Development fund, other non-committee funds; provide for audits; monitor use of donor requests and special gifts.

Meets 4-5 times a year, ordinarily at the Presbytery office, usually on Wednesdays, 12:30 to 3 p.m.

MISSION INTERPRETATION AND STEWARDSHIP
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Help foster ownership and participation in local, national and global mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Encourage and develop strategies for stewardship education and mission interpretation throughout the Presbytery. Promote special offerings approved by the Presbytery, Synod or General Assembly.

Meets four times a year in the Presbytery office, usually on a weekday from 10 a.m. through 2 or 3 p.m.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE (Nominated by Council)
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Nominate persons for Presbytery committee positions and offices. Develop criteria for and nominate commissioners and youth advisory delegates to Synod and General Assembly. The committee gathers names of prospective nominees, contacting potential nominees to ascertain their willingness and ability to serve.

Normally meets 2 times in October and may meet once in the spring in late February or March, at the Presbytery office in South Charleston , 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. , weekdays

PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Maintain Presbytery's communications systems: Sampler, mass media, etc.; oversee staff job descriptions, conduct evaluations and annual interview with Presbytery staff; evaluate facilities, equipment and office systems.

Meets about 4 times a year, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. , weekdays. Additional subcommittee meetings for staff evaluations.

PRESBYTERY WORSHIP, REVIEW AND POLITY
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Plan worship for Presbytery meetings; establish meeting dates and sites for Presbytery, evaluate Presbytery meetings; consider matters of polity and the Book of Order; study and process overtures from Sessions and General Assembly; review matters
requiring theological considerations.

The full committee meets about 4 times a year; sub-committees (such as worship planning groups) meet between full committee meetings.

SOCIAL AND ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Assume responsibility for Presbytery's social ministries, such as disabilities, disaster response, unemployment, hunger, justice, older adults, peacemaking, family and health concerns, women's and men's issues, and workcamps. Presently has ministry teams which meet independently. Committee members are usually also on a ministry team.

Meets 4 times a year, usually from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays.

TRUSTEES
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: Upon request of Presbytery and congregations, handle matters concerning property. Meets when needed, but most business is conducted by phone and mail.

PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION
TERM: six years

FUNCTION: Provide judicial process for the prevention and correction of irregularities and delinquencies by governing bodies, and of offenses by persons.

Meets: hopefully never; meets when a case is transmitted by Presbytery.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: KANAWHA VALLEY HOMES AND WEST VIRGINIA HOMES
TERM: three years

FUNCTION: To create, with the help and guidance of Housing & Urban Development, housing for the elderly and needy in the Presbytery. In cooperation with National Church Residences of Columbus, Ohio, the Board oversees 14 housing units.

Meets two times a year, in May and November, at one of the housing units it oversees or the Presbytery office in South Charleston. Meetings begin at 10:30 a.m. with dismissal after lunch.