Part I: Background Information

1. The Book of Order on Christian Educators
   1. Christian Educators G-14.0701
      1. Christian Educators are persons called to and employed in the ministry of education in a particular church, churches, or governing bodies. Christian Educators are persons who demonstrate their faith in and love for Jesus Christ, are dedicated to the life of faith and are serious in purpose, honest in character, and joyful in service.
      2. Christian Educators serving particular congregations, with the session and pastor(s) share the responsibility of providing for the spiritual growth of members for their ministry as specified in G-6.0202-.0203 and G-10.0102. Christian Educators will perform a variety of tasks including teaching the Bible, recommending curriculum materials and resources, training and supporting lay workers, and planning and administering the educational program of their congregations. Christian Educators are accountable to the session and under the supervision of the pastor.
      3. Christian Educators shall be persons with skills and training in biblical interpretation, Reformed theology, human development, religious educational theory and practice, and the polity, programs and mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Christian Educators shall be encouraged by their session and Presbytery to meet, or be prepared to meet, the certification requirements defined in G-14.0703.
   2. The Certified Christian Educator G-14.0702
      1. Certification is a means whereby the church recognizes the gifts, preparation, and effective service of those persons called to and employed in the ministry of education in the church.
      2. The highest level of certification shall be called the Certified Christian Educator.
   3. Certification of Christian Educators G-14.0703
      The General Assembly shall provide an accrediting process, which evaluates the educator's academic preparation and work experience and examine competency in the following knowledge and skill areas:
      1. Bible Interpretation. This examination shall assess the educator's ability to interpret Scripture using accepted exegetical processes and resources and to apply the Scripture in a contemporary teaching situation.
      2. Reformed Theology. This examination shall assess the educator's understanding of theology consistent with the confessional documents of the church, as expressed in educational theory and practice.
      3. Human Development. This examination shall assess the educator's understanding of the theories of human development and faith development and their application in the educational ministry of the church.
      4. Religious Education Theory and Practice. This examination shall assess the educator's ability to integrate religious educational theory and practice in the church's educational ministry.
      5. Polity. This examination shall assess the educator's working knowledge of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
      6. Program and Mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This examination shall assess the educator's knowledge of the program and mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the ability to interpret this program and mission in the educational ministry of the church.
   4. The Presbytery and Christian Educators G-14.0705
      1. The Presbytery shall support the certification process by:
         1. encouraging educators to seek certification;
         2. providing guidance through the Educator Certification Advisor;
         3. encouraging sessions to make continuing education funds and time available to educators seeking certification.
      2. The Presbytery shall provide the following support to the Certified Christian Educator:
         1. service of recognition; (G-11.0103n)
         2. guidelines for compensation and benefits; (G-11.0103n)
         3. access to the Committee on Ministry. (G.11.0503)
      3. The Presbytery shall grant the privilege of the floor to the Certified Christian Educator at all its meetings with voice. (G-11.0407)

   (With the exception of G-14.0701 on Christian Educators, other references in the Book of Order speak specifically to the place of the Certified Christian Educator, in the structure of the church. It needs to be noted that there are many educators who are not certified, who also need care and encouragement.)

2. General Assembly Actions on Certified Christian Educators (1998)
   1. Encourage congregation to consider electing Christian Educators as elders.
   2. Sessions be strongly encouraged to review personnel policies that exclude Christian Educators from being members of the Church they serve.
   3. Encourage Presbyteries to consider granting vote to Certified Educators at Presbytery meetings.

Part II: Mission Presbytery Policy

1. Floor Privilege
   Grant the privilege of the floor with voice to the Certified Christian Educators at all its meetings. In Mission Presbytery, Certified Christian Educators have "Voice and Vote". Mission Presbytery grants the vote at Presbytery meetings to Certified Christian Educators under the following conditions:
   1. That the Certified Christian Educator be an elder.
   2. That the Educator be currently employed at least half time as a Christian Educator in this Presbytery.
   3. That the privilege of vote be automatically terminated when employment, as in "2" ceases.
   4. That such voting privilege be explicitly granted by vote of the Presbytery at the meeting immediately following the Educator's first becoming eligible by reason of employment or certification.
   5. That the Session employing the Educator elect that person as a commissioner to each Presbytery meeting as a Commissioner in addition to those allowed by the Presbytery voting formula. Certified Associate Christian Educators have "Voice".
      
      
2. Support via the Committee on Ministry
   1. Include Certified or Certified Associate Christian Educators on the Committee on Ministry.
   2. Annually publish the names, employment status and if employed as an educator, the compensation, of all Certified, Certified Associate and Enrolled Educational Assistant Christian Educators known to be in the bounds of Presbytery.
   3. Include interview with Certified, Certified Associate and Enrolled Educational Assistant Christian Educators in all formal visits and work with congregations, especially in those situations in which the head of staff position has become vacant.
   4. Provide assistance, support, counseling, and resources to persons, sessions, and churches in search of effective educational and teaching ministry.
   5. Recognize and encourage the gifts and calling of persons for special service to educational ministries and provide specific assistance for their development.
   6. Help to develop, participate and cooperate with the Educator Certification Council for the Church Vocations Unit in a program of certification for the following:
      • Enrolled Educational Assistant
      • Certified Associate Christian Educator
      • Certified Christian Educator
   7. Provide encouragement, counsel, professional and personal support for those called to and serving in ministry in Christian Education within the bound of the Presbytery.
   8. Counsel with sessions and personnel committees regarding job description, benefits, and study leave for Educators.
   9. On behalf of the Presbytery, participate with the Associate Presbyter for Education and Congregational Nurture in the installation of a new church educator.
   10. Have a new Certified Educator give a Faith Statement at the stated Presbytery meeting following their arrival to their positions.
   11. Conduct exit interviews with every Certified or Certified Associate Christian Educator on the termination of their employment/position.
   12. Assist local congregations in the care of Christian Educators by establishing salary and benefit guidelines for Christian Educators.
   13. Review terms of employment on an annual basis.
   14. Provide support and mediation in conflict situations.
       
       
3. Support via Education and Congregational Nurture Division
   1. Encourage and support all persons called to serve as Educators in the churches within the bound of Presbytery. Determine a structure to provide for the care and nurture of Educators.
   2. Encourage and support participants in the process of becoming Certified Christian Educators.
   3. Maintain Educator Certification Advisor's Notebook in the Presbytery office and have it available for reference.
   4. Designate certification advisor(s) and connect them to the Presbytery source in an appropriate way.
   5. Hold a service of recognition at each level of certification during stated Presbytery meetings. The levels are Certified Christian Educator, Certified Associate Educator and Enrolled Educational Assistant.
   6. Maintain and publicize the Educator Vacancy Consultant Service.
   7. Encourage use of employment contracts and make contract models available.
   8. Provide and promote educational opportunities that include Educators and sponsor colleague groups for Educators working toward certification.
   9. Provide an attendance registration process for Presbytery meetings that include Church Educators as an identifiable group i.e. Certified Christian Educator, Certified Associate Christian Educator.
   10. Include all Educators in general Presbytery mailings; include Certified and Certified Associate Educators in packets in advance of each stated meeting of Presbytery, responsibility of Stated Clerk (Certified Educators have "voice and/or vote" and Certified Associates have "voice" at Presbytery meetings).
   11. Receive and disseminate information to Educators from and to other governing bodies.
   12. Include Educators (and their spouses) in support retreats or groups.
   13. Recognize/introduce Educators at Presbytery. Register all new Certified Educators who've transferred to the Presbytery with the Stated Clerk.
4. Support via Associate Presbyter for Education and Congregational Nurture
   1. Report on the status of Christian Educators to the Presbytery at each stated meeting. In such reports, the following items are included:
      1. Update on the number of Educators (certified and non-certified) in the Presbytery.
      2. Those in certification process (how many, who, where, progress report etc.).
      3. Churches' needs, requests, concerns including a listing of churches seeking Educators.
      4. Names and introduction of new or transferred Church Educators to the Presbytery, giving their current staff position and previous location, etc.
   2. Sit as a staff resource to the Committee on Ministry, making reports and recommendations regarding Christian Educators.
   3. When a church seeks assistance in developing educator position descriptions and a Church Information Form, meet with the Personnel Committee to explain possible options (ordained and non-ordained, certified or non-certified) which may be pursued.
   4. Encourage currently employed Christian Educators to seek certification and encouraging churches seeking educators to consider Certified Educators.
   5. On behalf of the Presbytery, participate with a member of the Committee on Ministry in the installation of a new church educator.
   6. Visit regularly/periodically and consult with each Educator who has been certified by the Presbytery.