Committees
Administration Team - Financial & Property Business
The team is responsible for managing the finances of the presbytery. As the Board of Trustees of the Presbytery, Administration receives, holds, encumbers, manages, and transfers real and personal property; acts on requests from local churches dealing with loans, as well as the purchases and sales of property.
Leadership Team
The Leadership Team plans Presbytery meetings; is responsible for the processing of overtures; can vote to assume original jurisdiction in matters of church discipline on behalf of the Presbytery when there is a need between stated meetings; is responsible for the governance structure of the Presbytery; coordinates disposition of received external grants; and in conjunction with the Administration Team and Visioning Team, regularly reviews the functional relationship between the Presbytery’s structure and its mission.
Committee on Ministry
The 24-member Committee on Ministry is responsible for fostering the faith and vitality of the Presbytery’s pastors, teaching elders in specialized ministries, commissioned ruling elders, certified Christian educators, and ministers at-large, as well as retired teaching elders. The COM serves as pastor to the pastors of the presbytery, assists congregations during pastoral transitions, and facilitates relations between congregations, ministers, and commissioned pastors and the presbytery.
Bills & Overtures
The Bills and Overtures Committee is responsible for reviewing proposed changes to the Constitution and presenting them to the Presbytery for deliberation and action. In addition, they shall bring to the Presbytery any overtures to the General Assembly from any unit of the Presbytery or congregation in the Presbytery of Great Rivers.
Committee on Accessibility, Representation, and Equity
The Committee on Accessibility, Representation, and Equity is responsible for enhancing and strengthening the participation, inclusiveness, and representation of Great Rivers Presbytery as required by the PC(USA) Constitution (G-3.0103). In partnership with the committees and teams of the Presbytery, the focus of CARE will be to “advise the council regarding the implementation of principles of unity and diversity, to advocate for diversity in leadership, and to consult with the council on the employment of personnel, in accordance with the principles of unity and diversity.
Committee on Preparation for Ministry
The Committee on Preparation for Ministry provides oversight and guidance to individuals seeking to explore their calling (inquirers) or to fulfill their calling (candidates) in the care process regarding preparation to become a Minister of Word and Sacrament (Teaching Elder). The care process includes selection, reception, care, examination, and ordination or transfer of candidates, as well as the potential dismissal of inquirers/candidates from the care process. The CPM also oversees the preparation and training of those seeking to be commissioned pastors (also known as commissioned ruling elders) (CP/CRE).
Nominating Committee
The responsibility of the Nominating Committee is to present nominees for all elected offices of the Presbytery required by the by-laws and other positions normally filled by election of the Presbytery Assembly to the Presbytery Assembly for action by the last stated Assembly meeting of the year and at such other times necessary to fill vacancies. The committee is composed of nine members who are nominated by the Administration Team in consultation with the Nominating Committee.
Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee is responsible for conducting annual evaluations of the work of all staff and the Stated Clerk; reviewing the compensation and benefits for all staff and recommending action as appropriate; developing and maintaining staff rationale and position descriptions; working with the Lead Presbytery on the hiring of staff; and reviewing personnel policies to ensure compliance with General Assembly and Synod guidelines and Illinois state laws.
Visioning Team
The Visioning Team encourages and facilitates mission within the Presbytery and individual churches through grants, challenges, partnerships, training, and other support.
Permanent Judicial Committee
The Permanent Judicial Commission, required by the Book of Order Rules of Discipline, has nine members. Balance for representation is not required for this commission. The powers and obligations of the PJC are outlined in the Book of Order Rules of Discipline.
Synod Commissioners