MINISTRIES DIVISION MINISTRIES DIVISION STEERING COMMITTEE

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1 MINISTRIES DIVISION PURPOSE: The Ministries Division is the presbytery s arm of programmatic ministries, including those ministries required by the Book of Order, those ministries necessary to achieve the presbytery s mission, vision, and priorities, and those ministries determined by the presbytery or General Council as desirable to serve the needs of the presbytery s congregations, church professionals and lay leaders. The Ministries Division shall consist of a Division Steering Committee and six (6) ministry units: Congregational Resourcing Team Evangelism & Renewal New Church Development Outreach Ministries MINISTRIES DIVISION STEERING COMMITTEE The Ministries Division Steering Committee shall consist of a chairperson and vice chairperson, elected by presbytery for a term of one (1) year (with an individual eligible to serve up to three (3) consecutive terms) and the chairperson or other representative of each of the ministries under its oversight, as well as from the Committee on Ministry and Committee on Preparation for Ministry (see note under Linkages ) Coordinate, review and evaluate the ministries of the presbytery in light of the presbytery s mission and priorities; Annually prepare and propose the program and benevolence budgets of the presbytery; Administer the program and benevolence budgets of the presbytery, including the authority to reallocate budgeted funds among program areas; Administer scholarships for individuals to attend events; Coordinate the development and implementation of new presbytery ministries within the limitations of approved budget and personnel; Approve the creation and elimination of committees, teams and task groups within the ministries of the presbytery, including the establishment of the number of authorized personnel for each; Record minutes of all meetings and maintain accurate records of the work of the Ministries Division which shall be available in the Presbyterian Center; Presbytery of New Covenant; Coordinate presbytery s program calendar. QUORUM: One third of the serving members of MDSC shall constitute a quorum. (Established in 2009.) MEETINGS: The Ministries Division Steering Committee shall ordinarily meet quarterly. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson.

2 STAFF: The general presbyter shall assign associate general presbyters, coordinators, or administrative assistants to serve as staff resource for the Ministries Division Steering Committee. The Ministries Division Steering Committee reports to and is accountable to the presbytery. The Steering Committee shall be in close working relationships with the Administrative Division Steering Committee. (FOR BUDGET AND PLANNING PURPOSES: COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY AND COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY ARE REPRESENTED ON MINISTRIES STEERING COMMITTEE)

3 CONGREGATIONAL RESOURCING TEAM Provide training, resources and/or consultative services for congregational ministries, such as Christian education, youth ministry, pastoral care, spiritual formation, evangelism, missions, stewardship, theology, and worship. Provide education, training and leadership development support for individuals, such as church officers, lay leaders, church professionals, educators, youth and youth leaders, church school teachers, weekday ministry teachers, and chairs and members of presbytery ministries and committees Connect and support the specialized needs of various groups and/or clusters of congregations within the Presbytery. Specialized constituent groups that connect with the structure of presbytery for reporting and budgeting purposes include Presbyterian Youth Connection Council, and Presbyterian Women and the Small Church Network Coordinate with other educational resources and opportunities, including the Presbytery Resource Center, Austin Seminary Houston Extension Program, and The Institute for Pastoral Studies. Presbytery of New Covenant through promotion of inter-congregational activities Prepare, propose and administer an annual budget for Congregational Resourcing Team Record and maintain accurate minutes and records of Congregational Resourcing Team including participating committees and task force groups that request approval or sanction. The records shall be available at the Presbytery office. Review, evaluate and coordinate the work of Congregational Resourcing Team in light of the presbytery s mission and vision Approve additional individuals to serve on task forces or within the committee structure The following task groups are formed by the Congregational Resourcing Team The Weekday Ministries Committee, is primarily composed of representatives from area pre-schools and is supported by presbytery staff. It is responsible for the Weekday Ministries Conference, held the first week in August. The Focus Planning Team is formed in January of each year. It is composed of members of the Congregational Resourcing Team and other interested individuals. Focus is held the first weekend in October each year. The Church Officer and Leaders Training Committee is formed in January of each year. Its membership is composed of members of the Equipping Ministries. The Multicultural Planning Team is composed of members of the Congregational Resourcing Team and other interested individuals. Among its responsibilities is planning the Multicultural Worship event which is held every year on or near Pentecost Sunday. The needs of specialized constituent groups within the presbytery shall be considered in the planning of resourcing and training events of the presbytery. A request for the formation of a new task group, or modification of an existing task group shall be approved by the Congregational Resourcing Team. The request shall specify the starting and ending dates, work to be accomplished, numbers of members and budget. Each committee or task group shall submit a written report at the year end meeting of the Ministries Steering Committee which will be included in the annual report. Committees or groups that request the approval or sanction of Congregational Resourcing Team but may not necessarily be under the jurisdiction of the ministries will

4 be evaluated in the light of the Mission and Vision of the Presbytery of New Covenant and stated functions of the Congregational Resourcing Team. Approved groups shall submit at the last meeting of the year of the Congregational Resourcing Team a written report to be included in the Presbytery Annual Report. Current groups in this category: Presbyterian Cursillo and Marriage Encounter The Congregational Resourcing Team shall consist of 12 members, serving in three classes of four members each. MEETINGS: The Congregational Resourcing Team shall meet at least quarterly or more frequently. If deemed necessary the chairperson may call a special meeting. Committees and Task groups shall meet for the timely accomplishment of assigned functions. STAFF: The work of this ministry shall be supported by the Associate General Presbyter for Education and Leadership Development, the Coordinator for Conferences and Graphics and by other staff as may be assigned by the General Presbyter. The Congregational Resourcing Team reports to and is accountable to the Ministries Division Steering Committee. It shall be in close working relationship with the other units of the Ministries Division, and with all congregations of the presbytery.

5 EVANGELISM & CHURCH GROWTH COMMITTEE (ECG) The purpose of the Evangelism & Church Growth Committee of New Covenant Presbytery is to prayerfully and intentionally support the growth of the Kingdom of God in the bounds of New Covenant through encouraging and supporting new worshipping communities and prioritizing missional engagement and transformation as we carry out those functions specific to the committee. Provide support for: Addressing needs related to Evangelism advocacy of individual congregations and the presbytery at large Creating a culture of vision, care and concern for the unchurched in our communities that leads congregations to reach out in witness and hospitality Encouraging and empowering congregations to give birth to new worshipping communities Understanding current congregational context and reality and helping congregational leaders articulate their vision and mission Encouraging, coaching and maintaining accountability of New Worshipping Communities (NWCs and New Church Developments (NCDs) Review, evaluate and coordinate the work of the ministry in light of the presbytery s missions and priorities Annually prepare and administer a budget for the ECG Ministries Record minutes of all meetings and maintain accurate records of the work of the ECG which shall be available in the Presbyterian Center Presbytery of New Covenant Each ministry may establish an internal structure of standing committees and task groups as appropriate for the accomplishment of its functions and responsibilities, with the approval of the Ministries Division Steering Committee. Requests for the formation of a new task group, or modification of an existing task group, shall specify the task group s starting and ending dates, work to be accomplished, number of members and budget. The Evangelism and Renewal Ministries shall be composed of 12 members divided into three (3) equal classes, one of which is elected each year by the presbytery. Terms of service will be three (3) years with an individual eligible to serve up to two (2) consecutive terms. The chairperson and vice chairperson shall be elected from within the ministry s membership by the presbytery for a term of one (1) year with the individual eligible to serve up to three (3) years. Additional individuals may be appointed to serve on task groups, particularly in working with liaisons for New Worshipping Communities (NWCs) and New Church Developments (NCDs) with the approval of the Ministries Division Steering Committee.

6 MEETINGS: The ECG Committee shall meet at bimonthly or more frequently as needed. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson. Committees and task groups shall meet as necessary for the timely accomplishment of their assigned tasks. STAFF: The work of this ministry shall ordinarily be supported by the Associate General Presbyter and by such other staff as may be assigned by the General Presbyter. The Evangelism and Church Growth Committee reports to and is accountable to the Ministries Division Steering Committee. It shall be in close working relationship with the other units of the Ministries Division, and with all congregations of the presbytery. OUTREACH MINISTRIES Support local and global mission efforts of congregations and presbytery approved programs Develop the presbytery s benevolence budget and provide liaison with the receiving organizations and ministries Review, evaluate and coordinate the work of the ministry in light of the presbytery s missions and priorities Annually prepare and propose a program and benevolence budget for the Outreach Ministries Administer the Outreach Ministries program and benevolence budget Record minutes of all meetings and maintain accurate records of the work of the Outreach Ministries which shall be available in the Presbyterian Center Presbytery of New Covenant The Outreach Ministries shall be composed of twelve (12) members divided into three (3) equal classes, one of which is elected each year by the presbytery. Terms of service will be three (3) years with an individual eligible to serve up to two (2) consecutive terms. The chairperson and vice chairperson shall be elected from within the Outreach Ministries membership by the presbytery for a term of one (1) year with the individual eligible to serve up to three (3) years. Additional individuals may be appointed to serve on task groups with the approval of the Ministries Division Steering Committee. Each ministry may establish an internal structure of standing committees and task groups as appropriate for the accomplishment of its functions and responsibilities, with the approval of the Ministries Division Steering Committee.

7 Requests for the formation of a new task group, or modification of an existing task group, shall specify the task group s starting and ending dates, work to be accomplished, number of members and budget. MEETINGS: The Outreach Ministries shall meet at least quarterly or more frequently as needed. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson. Committees and task groups shall meet as necessary for the timely accomplishment of their assigned tasks. STAFF: The work of this ministry shall ordinarily be supported by the general presbyter and by such other staff as may be assigned by the general presbyter. The Outreach Ministries reports to and is accountable to the Ministries Division Steering Committee. It shall be in close working relationship with the other units of the Ministries Division, and with all congregations of the presbytery.