Preface

Section One — Understanding the Committee on Ministry

• Healthy ministries: the goal of Committee on Ministry work
• Characteristics of healthy ministry
• What is the Committee on Ministry?
• Does every presbytery have a COM?
• What are the responsibilities of the Committee on Ministry?
• How Does the COM deal with confidentiality?
• Is the COM the same in every presbytery?
• What are significant relationships for the COM?
• How is the Committee on Ministry structured?
• What resources are available for the Committee on Ministry?
• Glossary of commonly used terms

Section Two — Reflections on the work of the Committee on Ministry

• Theological Reflections
• Ethical Considerations
• Spiritual Dimensions

Section Three — The COM and Congregations

• Nurturing Relationships with Congregations
• Resources for Understanding Congregations
  • Thinking Systemically About Congregational Life
  • The COM and Congregations in Transition
  • Appreciative Inquiry
  • Life Cycle Issues
  • The COM and New Church Developments
  • The COM and Small Congregations
  • The difference size makes . . .
  • Resources for working with small congregations
  • The COM and shared ministry and larger parishes (yoked congregations)
  • The COM and large congregations
  • Characteristics of corporate-size churches
  • Factors in staff searches for larger churches
  • Administrative/policy considerations
  • Resources and vulnerability
  • The COM and Racial Ethnic & Multicutural Congregations
• The COM and Immigrant Ministries
  • Suggestions for the COM in dealing with new immigrant ministries
  • Enabling conditions
  • Enabling actions
• The triennial visit
• Congregational Mission Studies
• Congregational Strategy
• Forms

Section Four — Relationships with Congregations Searching for Pastoral Leadership

• General comments
• A Healthy Goodbye
• Exit Interviews
• Ethics for Departing Pastors
• Finding Temporary Leadership
• Options For Pastoral Leadership
• Orderly Exchange with Formula Partner Churches
• An Outline for Calling a New Pastor
• Coordinating with CPM for First Call Candidates
• Checking References
• Background Checking
• Additional Information
• Forms

Section Five — The Committee on Ministry and Church Professionals

• Ordination
• Membership in presbytery and validated ministries
• Examining ministers for membership
• Pastoral Care of Church Professionals
• Ministers of other denominations
• Immigrant ministers
• Pastoral care of church professionals
• Models for Pastoral Care in the Presbytery
• Partnering with Pastors and Sessions for Entrance into the First Call
• The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
• Compensation for Ministers
• Professional Development
• Annual Reviews of Ministry
• Interim Pastors
• Designated Pastors
• Ministers Serving in Specialized Ministries
• Professional pastoral care organizations
• Tentmaking Ministry
• Parish Associates
• Retired ministers
• Care and Certification of Christian Educators
• Commissioned Lay Pastors
• Forms

Section Six — Preventing and Responding to Difficulties

• Emphasizing Congregational Health
• Work on Prevention rather than intervention
• Equip your COM
• Intervene effectively when trouble arises
• Steps for Conflict Utilization
• Review of Conflict Utilization Techniques
• Pastoral Care During A Conflict
• Ministerial Misconduct Issues
• Caring for the Congregation After Misconduct
• Caring for the Minister
• About Prevention
• Dissolution of Church Employment
• Forms

Section Seven — Racial Ethnic/Multicultural Considerations and Resources

• Working Together Cross Culturally
• Individual and Congregational Considerations
• COM and Racial Ethnic Pastors and Congregations

Section Eight — Resources for the Committee on Ministry Moderator

• Fostering Healthy Ministries
• Organizing for Successful Ministry Within Presbytery
• Important Relationships for the COM Moderator
• Working with Congregations seeking pastoral leadership
• Structuring the COM for Healthy Ministry
• Empowering the COM To Say "No"
• Moderating Meetings
• Training for Members of COM
• The COM and AAEEO Policy