THE PRESBYTERY OF BALTIMORE

WHITE BOOK

797TH STATED MEETING

JUNE 27, 2002, 4:00 P.M.

HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

[Some of the Appendices were produced by photocopying and cannot be made available on line. See the List of Appendices, following the various reports.]

3:00 Registration and Reading of White Books

4:00 Call to Order; Roll Call, Introduction of new ministers, elders, visitors Bill Starke

Welcome by Host Pastor Cherry Marshall

Report of the Stated Clerk: 3-4 Charles Forbes

Approval of Docket (New Business is due to the Clerk by 5:30)

Consent Motion: 2-3

4:15 Worship

4:55 Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) Millie Kreider

Introduction of New Inquirers Harold Bennett and Susan Leonard

Examination of Inquirers Jason Link, Constance Barnes,

John Boulware, and Lise Worthington

5:10 Committee on Ministry; Retirement of Margee Iddings: 4-7 Tom Speers

5:20 Global Mission Committee Pat Collins

5:30 CPM: Examination of Candidate Peter Goetschius: A1

5:40 Report of GA Commissioners Phyllis DeSmit, Jon Fregger, John Ginovsky,

and Anita Hendrix and Youth Advisory Delegate Melissa Joy Minnich

6:00 Dinner

7:00 Committee on Church Growth and Evangelism

7:05 CPM: Examination of Candidate Lisa Rzepka: A2

7:15 Council: 7-8, B1-B5, C1-C6, D1, E1-E3 Peg Ferguson

7:35 CPM: Examination of Candidate John Markel: A3

7:45 Committee on Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Joan Berry

7:50 Committee on Representation Roy Knight

7:55 Committee on Peace and Justice Bill Turner

8:00 Committee on Mission: 9 Sally-lyn Duff

8:05 Nominating Committee: 9-12 George Farmer

8:15 Committee on Ministry; Examination of Ed Richardson Tom Speers

8:35 New Business

8:40 Adjournment

WRITTEN REPORTS ONLY - Trustees: 12, Committee on Administration: 12

The Consent Motion consists of actions not considered to be controversial, nor likely to require explanation or discussion. They will be voted on as one motion made by the Stated Clerk. Members and Commissioners may request the removal of any item from the Consent Motion by contacting the Stated Clerk prior to the meeting or so requesting when the Motion is made. Removed items will be considered at the report time of the agency presenting the motion.

From the Stated Clerk:

1. THAT the Minutes of the 796th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Baltimore, March 21, 2002, be approved as appended to this White Book.

2. THAT the Administrative Commission appointed by the Committee on Ministry to install the Rev. Marie Sheldon as Associate Pastor of Harundale Presbyterian Church--consisting of Ministers James G. Kirk, Wesley Baker, and LeAnn Hodges; Elders William Starke (Good Shepherd), Chair, Kenneth Widlake (Harundale), and Nancy Saarlas (Woods Memorial); and Corresponding Members Rev. Alexander McDougall (Presbytery of Muskingum Valley), and Elders Beverly Haines and Stephen Haines (both from churches in the Presbytery of Genesee Valley)--be dismissed in that Rev. Sheldon answered the constitutional questions in the affirmative and was duly installed by the Commission on April 14, 2002.

3. THAT the Administrative Commission appointed by the Committee on Ministry to install the Rev. Kenneth Ironside as Pastor of Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church--consisting of Ministers Harry Holfelder and Cherry Marshall; Elders William Starke (Good Shepherd), Chair, Jerry Egger (Brown Memorial Woodbrook), and Ken Philbrick (Chestnut Grove); and Corresponding Member Rev. Arthur Tung (Presbytery of Philadelphia)--be dismissed in that Rev. Ironside answered the constitutional questions in the affirmative and was duly installed by the Commission on April 28, 2002.

From the Committee on Ministry:

4. THAT Presbytery approve the following changes of call for members of the Presbytery on the staff of the General Assembly (both include housing and were effective January 1, 2002:

Rev. Stephanie Graham from $40,655 to $42,078.

Rev. Steven Shussett from $43,656 to $44,311.

5. THAT Rev. Sue Lowcock Harris be enrolled as Member-at-Large, seeking a call, effective May 7, 2002, in that her call in the Synod of the Trinity has ended.

6. THAT Rev. Edward Bellis be enrolled as Member-at-Large, seeking a call, effective June 15, 2002, in that his call as Ecumenical Youth Pastor in Mount Airy has ended.

7. THAT Presbytery concur in the request of First and Franklin Street to name Rev. Harry Holfelder as Pastor Emeritus.

8. THAT Presbytery request the transfer of Rev. Guy Dunham from Donegal Presbytery.

9. THAT Presbytery request the transfer of Rev. Carl Lammers from Northern Kansas Presbytery.

10. THAT Presbytery request the transfer of Rev. Fred Lyon from National Capital Presbytery.

From the Committee on Administration:

11. THAT, in response to Amendment 01-E to the Book of Order regarding retired ministers, the Presbytery adopt the following:

Change I. INTRODUCTION, 5. Definitions, c. NON-RESIDENT by adding the italicized words: "A person whose current residence lies outside the bounds of the Presbytery, and who is not actively laboring in a ministry within the bounds of the Presbytery."

Change II. Membership, 6. Imbalance, to read: At the June Presbytery meeting the Stated Clerk will report to the Presbytery the number of ministers on the Roll at the end of the previous year--noting the number of non-resident ministers and the number of resident retired ministers that are neither engaged in some form of parish ministry nor attended any meetings of Presbytery in the previous year--and the number of elder commissioners sessions are entitled to elect. The imbalance will first be redressed by inviting as commissioners all elders on rolls of the Presbytery who are Certified Christian Educators, Commissioned Lay Pastors, or certified under G-14.0802. The Stated Clerk will submit a list of sessions to be invited to elect additional elders, on a rotation basis using the list in the Presbytery directory, working from the first and last of the list; invitations to be effective at the September meeting.

12. REPORTS

A. Resignations

Priscilla Hart from Administration

Robin White from Mission

B. Communication

The Sessions of Brown Memorial Park Avenue, Faith, First and Franklin Street, and Govans Presbyterian Churches have respectfully advised the Stated Clerk of their intention to present a motion to refer when the Council moves that adoption of its proposed statement, "On Seeking Reconciliation in the Church." See Appendix E for the Statement and Proposed Motion.

C. Judicial Matters

(1) The Investigating Committee established on September 27, 2001, has advised the Stated Clerk that it is bringing no charges.

(2) Rev. Ernest Smart has withdrawn the charges against the Presbytery originally brought on October 29, 1999. The matter is concluded.

13. THAT the Docket be approved as printed with any changes noted by the Moderator or Stated Clerk.

14. THAT the Consent Motion be adopted.

15. REPORTS that it joins with the Committee on Ministry in presenting the various recommendations regarding Commissioned Lay Pastors.

16. THAT Harold Bennett (Trinity) and Susan Leonard (Prince of Peace) be enrolled as Inquirers into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

17. THAT Inquirers Jason Link (First of Bel Air), Constance Barnes (Frederick), John Boulware (First of Annapolis), and Lise Worthington (Govans) be examined on their sense of call, and if the examinations are sustained, that they be enrolled as Candidates for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

18. THAT Candidate Peter Goetschius (Southminster), be examined for ordination in accordance with Standing Rule VIII-13.1, and if the examination is sustained, that he be certified as ready for final examination for ordination, pending a call. His Statement of Faith is printed on page A-1.

19. THAT Candidate Lisa Rzepka (Brown Memorial Park Avenue), be examined for ordination in accordance with Standing Rule VIII-13.1, and if the examination is sustained, that she be certified as ready for final examination for ordination, pending a call. Her Statement of Faith is printed on page A-2.

20. THAT Candidate John S. Markel (Govans) be examined for ordination in accordance with Book of Order G-14.0402 and, if the examination is sustained, that he be ordained on July 13, 2002, by a commission of Baltimore Presbytery, in that he has received a call from the Tappahannock Presbyterian Chapel, Tappahannock, VA, in the Presbytery of the James, which has requested his ordination; further, THAT Baltimore Presbytery authorize Candidate John Markel to labor in an unordained capacity at the Tappahannock Chapel from July 1 to 13, 2002. His Statement of Faith is printed on page A-3.

21. REPORTS that the Committee

A. Acting on behalf of Presbytery because the effective date was before the next Presbytery meeting, concurred in the dissolution of the pastoral relationship between Woods Memorial and Rev. Allison Rizk effective May 12, 2002, and transferred her to Greater Atlanta Presbytery so that she could accept the call of the North Atlantic Tri-Hospital Tri-Care System.

B. Appointed the following Session Moderators:

Vernon Rushing, Mount Paran

Guy Dunham, Grove

Margee Iddings, First of Barton

Margee Iddings, First of Lonaconing

C. Approved the request of the Hamilton Session to contract with Rev. Carl Lammers to be their Interim Pastor, effective April 3, 2002.

D. Approved the request of the Brown Memorial Park Avenue Session to contract with Rev. Fred Lyon to be their Interim Pastor, effective May 1, 2002.

E. Approved the request of the Grove Session to contract with Rev. Guy Dunham to be their Interim Pastor, effective June 1, 2002.

F. Approved the request of the Towson Session to contract with Rev. Sue Lowcock Harris to be their Interim Associate Pastor, effective June 17, 2002.

G. Approved the extension of the contracts of Rev. Doug Madden as Interim Pastor at Highland and Rev. Wesley Baker as Stated Supply at Lakeland.

H. Acting on behalf of Presbytery because the effective date was before the next Presbytery meeting, appointed Rev. Vernon Rushing as Stated Supply at Mount Paran effective April 14, 2002, with these terms of call: Housing Allowance $12,472; pension, vacation, and study leave at Presbytery minimums; continuing education $900.

22. THAT the Presbytery concur in the dissolution of the pastoral relationship between Hancock and Rev. Margee Iddings, and grant her Honorable Retirement effective June, 30, 2002.

23. RECOGNIZING the Honorable Retirement of the Rev. Margee Iddings.

24. THAT Presbytery concur in the dissolution of the pastoral relationship between Central and Rev. Jerome Cooper, effective June 30, 2002, so that he may accept the call of the Trinity Presbytery Church in Camarillo, CA; and that he be transferred to the Presbytery of Santa Barbara upon receipt of their request for transfer.

25. THAT Presbytery examine Rev. C. Edward Richardson for transfer of his membership from the Southern Baptist Convention where he is in good standing as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament, and if the examination is sustained that he be enrolled as a continuing member of the Presbytery and that his ministry as a member of the faculty of the Ecumenical Institute of St. Mary's Seminary and University be validated, effective this date. [Note, all ministers are examined by the Presbytery before being received. In the case of ministers of the PC(USA) we have granted COM the authority to conduct the examination. In the case of a transfer from another denomination, the examination must on the floor of Presbytery.]

26. THAT Presbytery, acting in accordance with the Book of Order, establish within this Presbytery, the position of Commissioned Lay Pastor by:

A. Receiving the papers titled "Baltimore Presbytery Commissioned Lay Pastor Program" which have been slightly revised since presented for first reading at the March meeting and will be available on the registration table;

B. Adopting the following amendments to the Presbytery Manual

(1) Add subparagraph q. to Manual VIII.9, Duties and Responsibilities of the Committee on Ministry:

q. Recommend to Presbytery those churches, new church developments, and other ministries appropriate to be ministered to by a Commissioned Lay Pastor; recommend to Presbytery the commissioning to these ministries of persons certified as ready to be commissioned and their appointment to said ministries; and supervise Commissioned Lay Pastors undertaking commissioned ministries.

(2) Add subparagraph f. to Manual VIII.13, Duties and Responsibilities of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry:

f. Receive applications from elders of the particular churches of the Presbytery to be Commissioned Lay Pastors, supervise their preparation, and present them to the Presbytery for certification as ready to be commissioned.

(3) Add paragraph 7 to Chapter XXV, Sessions:

7. Commissioned Lay Pastors may, with the approval and supervision of the Committee on Ministry, celebrate the sacraments and perform marriages;

C. Adopt the following Standing Rule (VIII-9/13):

The Committee on Ministry (COM) and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) are jointly responsible for the Presbytery program for Commissioned Lay Pastors (CLP), as those duties are assigned by the Presbytery Manual. Each Committee will establish appropriate procedures to carry out the provisions of this Standing Rule in accordance with its own procedures.

An Elder wishing to be certified as eligible for commissioning as a CLP will make application through that elder's session to the CPM. Upon completion of the required order of preparation and examination (as determined by the Committee in accordance with the Book of Order), the CPM will present the applicant to the Presbytery for final examination and certification. CLP may lead worship and preach, and undertake such other duties as may be authorized by the COM in accordance with the Book of Order.

A CLP may enter into a contractual relationship with the Session of a particular church, with the approval of COM. CLP will have their status reviewed annually by the COM. CLP will be assigned a mentor appointed by COM.

CPM will maintain a roll of Elders who have applied to be certified as qualified to be CLP, pending a commission, until such time as those persons are dropped from the program or are commissioned, supervising their studies, and monitoring their progress to certification. Elders who are certified but not commissioned will have their status reviewed annually by the CPM.

27. REPORTS that the Council

A. Appointed the following:

Property and Loan Commission

Tom Speers

John Simons

Robert Ferguson Scholarship Committee

Florence Henderson

Lynn Featherston

Overture Advocate for Baltimore Overtures to 2002 GA:

George Demass

B. Recommended to the Board of Trustees that it lend $25,000 to the Presbytery to pay the fundraising firm of Advent, Inc. for their work on a forthcoming campaign of the Funding Committee for New Church Development. The loan will be repaid with the first dollars received.

C. Adopted the Statement "On Seeking Reconciliation in the Church", printed in Appendix E. Furthermore, noting that the statement referred to itself as a "first step," Council established a committee, consisting of Pat Collins, Joan Berry, Tom Speers, and Wayne Ruddock, and staffed by the Interim Executive Presbyter and the Stated Clerk, to consider possible next steps and report to the Council in September (or before, by mail). Council also recommended that Presbytery adopt this statement (see action item below).

28. NOMINATES Rev. James G. Kirk as Chair of the Nominating committee.

29. THAT Presbytery receive the "Recommendation of Council regarding the Position Description for the Executive Presbyter" and related documents as printed in Appendix C, and THAT Presbytery adopt the revised Position Description contained on pages C-2 and C-3.

30. THAT Presbytery adopt the recommendation of the Synod Task Force on Chesapeake Center, as printed in Appendix B. This is a similar proposal to the previous recommendation of the Task Force that was "adopted in principle" in March, 2002.

31. THAT the proposed budget, distributed with this White Book and available on the registration table, be received for first reading.

32. THAT Presbytery adopt the "Health Care for All! Resolution" as printed in Appendix D. In February, 2000, the Presbytery joined Health Care for All! and supported their statement of goals for health care in Maryland.

33. THAT the Presbytery adopt the statement "On Seeking Reconciliation in the Church," printed in Appendix E. The Stated Clerk has received notice from four Sessions that they will make a motion to refer this action back to the Council. The proposed motion is printed in Appendix E. A representative of those sessions will be invited by the Moderator to make the motion to refer as soon at this item is introduced and spoken to by a representative of Council. [The motion to refer is debatable.]

34. REPORTS that it presents the following Annual Report

Mandate: The Committee on Representation (COR) is mandated by the Book of Order to encourage expression of the rich diversity within our membership and to provide the means to insure greater inclusiveness leading to wholeness of the life of the Presbytery. The committee has the responsibility to encourage the full participation of all people regardless of race, age, disability, sex, marital status, or theological position. Major functions of the committee are to advise, advocate, review, report, and act as a continuing resource to the Nominating Committee and to the Presbytery.

Activities: The COP got off to a slow start this year because we opened without a chair and with several vacancies. We did get a temporary chair in October. The November meeting was poorly attended because there was a mistake made in the date on the communication which called the meeting. We were able to concur in the proposed Amendment "A: to the Constitution - removal of race, etc. as improper grounds for denial of membership. In May, the statistical report to the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic was completed and sent.

Joys and Satisfactions: One of our joys and satisfactions during the year was the presentation of Rev. Dr. Peggy Johnson of Christ Church for the Deaf at a Presbytery meeting. Her deaf choir had performed at a meeting in the spring of 2001. We are indebted to Rev. Steve Tisinger for making these arrangements. A second joy and satisfaction was the recommendation that our Presbytery concur in the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution: 00-A. On Amending G-5.0103 to Remove the List of Persons Welcomed as Church Members by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Disappointments and frustrations have been the number of vacancies on our Committee and the irregularity of meetings. We know that the Nominating Committee is working to fill all vacancies and, hopefully, a chair will be appointed and we can get off to a good start for 2002-2003.

35. REPORTS the Committee has redirected $4,355 from the Hagerstown YMCA to GEDCO. The YMCA project is closed. These funds will replace most of a $5,000 redistribution of 2001 funds caused by a misunderstanding by a contributing church on how to forward money to Stadium Place. This will result in a net loss to GEDCO, over the period 2001-2002 of $645 below the amount budgeted.

36. THAT the Presbytery authorize the distribution of the Mission Grant provided to it by an anonymous donor to be distributed in 2002 as follows:

To First of Bel Air, $12,500 to establish a day facility for homeless people in Harford County.

To Hope, $6,000 to provide a one-year scholarship for child whose family cannot afford quality day care.

To New Life, $5,000 to teach English to disadvantaged Korean older adults.

To Second, $5,000 to level and refurbish a 2-acre playing field at the McKim Community Center.

To First of Cumberland, $1,500 to start a Parish Nursing Program, including a radio outreach ministry.

37. NOMINATES as officers of the Presbytery

Moderator: Rev. George Demass

Vice Moderator: Elder Patricia Anne Collins

38. THAT the Presbytery suspend its rules to permit the election of Bill Turner to a further term as Chair of the Peace and Justice Committee.

39. NOMINATES to committees of the Presbytery:

ADMINISTRATION

Chair: Robert Ferguson (E, R/E) Grace

2003 Vacancy

2005 Unconfirmed

Vacancy

Vacancy

COUNCIL (members-at-large)

2005 Harry Schill (C, M)

Florence Henderson (E, F, R/E) Dickey Memorial

EDUCATION & CONGREGATIONAL NURTURE

Chair: Catherine Barnes (E, F) Perry Hall

2004 Keith Paige (C, M, R/E)

2005 Marie Sheldon (C, F)

Catherine Barnes (E, F) Perry Hall

Unconfirmed

Vacancy

Vacancy

EVANGELISM & CHURCH GROWTH

Chair: Terry Schoener (C, M)

Vision 2000

Chair: Bill Hathaway (C, M)

2005 Vacancy

Vacancy

Church Enhancement

Chair: Terrence Allspaugh (C, M)

2005 Vacancy

Vacancy

Vacancy

New Church Development

Chair: Christa Burns (C, F)

2003 Vacancy

2004 Keith Paige (C, M, R/E)

Vacancy

2005 Vacancy

Vacancy

Vacancy

GLOBAL MISSION

Chair: Ken Kovacs (C, M)

MINISTRY

Chair: Alice Read (E, F) Govans

2005 Anita Hendrix (C, F)

Betty McGinnis (E, F) 1st of Annapolis

Alfred Tyler (E, R/E) Lochearn

Brett Morgan (C)

Alvin Henderson (E, R/E) Grace

John R. Sharp (C)

COMMITTEE ON MISSION

Chair: Sally-Lyn Duff (E, F) Brown Memorial Woodbrook

2003 Ledonia Kimball (E, F, R/E) Trinity

2004 Vacancy

2005 Janice Trammell-Savin (E, F) First & Franklin Street

Carol Curtis (E, F) Second

Daris Bultena (C, M)

Donald Stroud (C, M)

James Miller (E, R/E) Knox

Vacancy

PEACE & JUSTICE

Chair: Bill Turner (E, M) Churchville

2005 Jeanne Ruddock (E, F) Towson

Cindy Mason E, F) Dickey Memorial

PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION

2008 James G. Kirk (C)

Marie Cannon (E, F, R/E) Trinity

Vacancy

PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY

Chair: Mildred Kreider (E, F) Deer Creek Harmony

2004 Vacancy

2005 Charlie Johnson (E, M, R/E) Knox

LeAnn Hodges (C, F)

Robin White (C, F)

Harold Dunlap (E) Maryland

REPRESENTATION

Chair: Vacancy

2003 Vacancy

2004 Vacancy

Vacancy

2005 Roy Knight (E, M, R/E) Knox

Roy A. Zuber (L, M) Hamilton

Unconfirmed

STEWARDSHIP & MISSION INTERPRETATION

Chair: Margaret Ferguson (C, F)

2003 John Lawson (E, M) Hope

Carol Davis (E, F) First and Franklin Street

2004 Louisa Leslie (E, F) First of Howard County

Iva Holland (E, F) Central

Vacancy

2005 Christine Wolfe (L, F) Harundale

John McGinnis (E) 1st of Annapolis

Margaret Ferguson (C, F)

Vacancy

YOUTH

Chair: Steve Tisinger (C, M)

2005 Glen Zetina (L, Y) Hope

Janet Bradley (E, F) Christ Memorial

Eva Hendrix-Shovlin (L, Y) Hunting Ridge

TRUSTEES

2005 Mark Henckel (E, M) First & Franklin Street

Richard Linder (E) Towson

Unconfirmed

40. NOMINATES to related organizations:

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN MINISTRIES

2005 Richard Fravel (E) Towson

Valeria Tocci (E, F, R/E) Trinity

Gary Geisel (E) Woods Memorial

[Note: "Unconfirmed means that the Committee has selected a nominee, but that person has not yet accepted.]

41. REPORTS that it has appointed Elder Robert Ferguson to the Property and Loan Commission.

42. REPORTS

A. The Board has decided not to renew the Nehemiah Project interest-free loan which is up for renewal this year. Originally $400,000 it was renewed once for $200,000.

B. The Board has appointed Lynn Featherston and Rick Linder to the Property and Loan Commission.

[In the print version, the Appendics were separate. The "List" that follows is only in the on-line version.]

A1. Statement of Faith of Pete Goetschius (Not available on-line)

A2. Statement of Faith of Lisa Rzepka (Not available on-line)

A3. Statement of Faith of John Markel (On-line version which follows may vary slightly from the print version. Print Version is official.)

B. Chesapeake Camp and Conference Center Report and Recommendations (Not available on-line)

C. Recommendation of Council Regarding the Position Description of the Executive Presbyter.

D. "Health Care for All! Resolution (On-line version on the Health Care For All webside, www.healthcareforall.com/Joinus/htm).

E. "On Seeking Reconcilation in the Church" and proposed motion to refer. See Items 12B and 33. Text follows.

My trust is in God

who loves me, who made me, and has called me

by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom I am a forgiven sinner,

and who guides me today through the Holy Spirit.

I affirm and confess that:

God is one, one in substance but distinct in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,1 and that God created all things, including the creation of women and men in God's own image.2 I believe God is revealed to us in Scripture, by the person of Jesus Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ was in the beginning with God3 and that Christ came to earth, emptied himself,4 having two natures, human and divine, in "one and the same Jesus Christ our Lord."5 Christ lived, died, and was resurrected by God for our sakes, with the result that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."6

Humanity, by its own fault, has abandoned the goodness and righteousness of being made in God's image, and that abandonment has resulted in sin and death.7 By sending Jesus Christ to live among us God has revealed God's self to us, by Christ's death the sins of humanity may be forgiven, and by Christ's resurrection sin and death are defeated. Therefore we have the assurance, by faith in Christ, of eternal life and reconciliation to God.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies us and is the one through whom we receive our faith,8 and that Christ is with us today through the Holy Spirit and the Word. God fulfills the work of the reconciliation of humanity by the Holy Spirit.9 The Holy Spirit unites all believers to Christ, and imparts various gifts to them for the glory of God.10

The Bible is the holy, authoritative Word of God, in which knowledge of God's love and purposes are revealed to humanity,11 and that Scripture, by the Holy Spirit, produces faith through the hearing of God's Word through Christ's teaching.12 God's Word in Scripture is our authority for living in covenant with God and in community with God's entire creation.

The church is one body with Christ as the head, called into being by Christ, and called to build up the church in service to God.13 The mystery of this reconciling work of God's love in Christ and the church's mission of reconciliation to the world is the heart of the Gospel.14 Through the Holy Spirit the church is renewed as the community whereby human beings are reconciled to God and to one another.15

God has graciously given the church the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. In baptism we enter the covenant of grace with which God has bound God's people to God's self.16 In the Lord's Supper we proclaim Christ's death for our sins and we celebrate God's reconciliatory act, joining God and humanity together.17

Jesus Christ will come again. Until that time, the Holy Spirit is working out the sanctification of the church of Christ, and as Christians, together we strive for the reconciliation of the world-to the glory of God!

NOTES:

1 3.01, 5.016

2 Genesis 1:27

3 John 1:1

4 Phil. 2:6

5 5.066

6 Phil 2:10-11

7 5.036

8 3.12

9 9.20

10 6.0540

11 6.001

12 Rom. 10:17

13 G-1.0100

14 9.06

15 9.20

16 9.51

17 9.52

The Council has approved and recommends the Presbytery approve a rewrite of the Position Description for Executive Presbyter after review by the Executive Presbyter Nominating Committee. Two things became apparent. First, the description needed an introductory purpose to clearly lay out the functions of the position in a context of change. Second, because of this it became clear that the original description, while visionary and seeking change in the orientation, did not follow through in the stated functions. Please study the description prayerfully.

A guide showing how the former description is contained in the new one is provided. Simply compare the numbers at the end of each bullet in the new description with the numbered items in the former one. While not duplicated word for word, we feel the functions are replicated.

We believe the proposed rewrite not only contains all the important provisions of the first description, but also expresses the orientation we are looking for in our next Executive Presbyter. The EP Nominating Committee includes with the Position Description a paper, "The Context for Leadership," to give background on their thinking. It is their hope this paper will help us all understand the "paradigm" shift (or changes in underlying principles or assumptions by which we unconsciously operate) that affect how we week to be a faithful church.

Along with the Position Description, the Committee has developed a Person Description and a Skills Description. Those materials will be available at the registration tables.

(Author: Bruce Barstow)

Documents attached:

Executive Presbyter Position Description (for adoption). Page C-2.

Executive Presbyter-former Position Description (for comparison purposes). Page C-4. [Not available on-line]

The Context for Leadership-Background statement of the Executive Presbyter Search

Committee. Page C-5.

Purpose

In service to Christ, the purpose of the Executive Presbyter is to serve among the Presbytery of Baltimore as an agent of change in a new cultural frontier. As partners on the new frontier, the Executive Presbyter shall lead the Presbytery to discover the meanings of being a "new" church. The Executive Presbyter shall help us describe a vision for the Presbytery and its congregations in order to develop and "do" church in new and visionary ways while keeping clarity about faithfully representing and revealing Christ to a changed world.

Relationships

The Executive Presbyter shall relate to the Presbytery of Baltimore and governing bodies of the Presbyterian Church USA. The Executive Presbyter shall

* Work collegially with staff and serve as the Head of Staff. [24, 7, 8, 9]

* Work with and be sensitive to the roles of Moderator, Stated Clerk, and Chairs of Committees. [25]

* Be involved with governing bodies of the Presbyterian Church USA. [21]

* Work with and relate to all congregations of the Presbytery, while appreciating the diverse nature of individual congregations and the whole Presbytery.

Accountability

The Executive Presbyter is accountable to the Presbytery through the Presbytery Council and Personnel Committee of Council.

Responsibilities and Activities

Development

1. As a change agent in a diverse presbytery, engage the Presbytery in designing and implementing an effective planning process for the ministry and mission of the Presbytery in a changing church in a changing society. [2, 26]

2. Originate the provision and development of staff and resources for the professional, spiritual, and social care to clergy and directors of Christian education and their households. [14, 15, 16, 17]

3. Develop a strategy for resourcing congregations in order to provide both guidance and assistance to congregations of the Presbytery that together we might develop healthy congregations and leaders, while providing the means by which congregations may do together in mission what no one congregation can do alone.

4. As a change agent in a diverse presbytery, promote a climate for a community of learning that we may grow and continue to grow in response to the paradigm shift. [1, 4]

Sustainable Development

5. Work with the Council to develop and sustain a clear Presbytery vision. [2, 4, 5, 26]

6. Encourage congregations to be congruent with Presbytery vision. [2, 4, 5, 13, 26]

7. Be a collegial Head of Staff and build the staff into an effective team. [7, 8, 9, 10, 24]

8. Develop a system for monitoring the health of the Presbytery. [3, 4, 5, 6, 26]

Continuity

9. Involve the Presbytery and its agencies in local and global prophetic witness. [23]

10. Be actively involved with other denominations, faith groups, and ecclesiastical organizations. [22, 23]

11. Work with the Trustees to effectively manage Presbytery's assets and work with the Property and Loan Commission. [18, 19, 20]

12. Work closely with the appropriate council committee to develop the Presbytery budget; oversee the process of fiscal management, assuring that it has integrity and a balance of income and expenses. [20]

13. Be actively involved in recruiting, equipping, and formation of leadership, leadership roles, and functions.

14. Has staff responsibility with Committee on Ministry, Trustees, Presbytery Council, Personnel Committee, and Property and Loan Committee. [11]

Evaluation

An evaluation process, designed by the Personnel Committee in consultation with the Executive Presbyter and the concurrence of the Council, will provide for an annual review, with an in-depth review in the fifth year, to assess the progress of the Executive Presbyter in fulfilling the purpose of the position, and the effectiveness of the Presbytery in fulfilling its vision. [27]

Term

The Executive Presbyter shall be elected for a six-year term with the possibility of re-election for succeeding six-year terms after a comprehensive evaluation in the fifth year of each term.

Note: The bracketed numbers on this document correspond to numbered items on the list of Skills, Activities, and Relationships which follows:

1. Models and facilitates the perspective of recruiting and equipping others.

2. Able to facilitate visioning in a changing church in a changing society.

3. Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of organizational development, financial management, and conflict resolution skills.

4. Works creatively theologically in a post-modern age where diversity is the norm.

5. Articulate in communicating visions.

6. Promotes, together with staff and committees, a strong emphasis on social witness and justice ministries.

ACTIVITIES

HEAD OF PRESBYTERY STAFF

7. Provides oversight of the daily operations of the Presbytery Office.

8. Convenes regular staff meetings.

9. Reviews staff annually with Personnel Committee, and initiates community building, staff development, and skill enhancement.

10. Is responsible for keeping the technology of the Presbytery office up to date.

RESOURCING

11. Has primary staff responsibility with Committee on Ministry, Trustees, Presbytery Council and Personnel Committee.

12. Reports annually to Presbytery on the state of the Presbytery.

13. Is available to other Presbytery committees, and local Sessions, as need requires and time permits.

PASTOR TO CLERGY AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS

14. Has primary responsibility for annual orientation of new clergy and Directors of Christian Education.

15. Conducts regular visits with all clergy.

16. Regularly communicates through official Presbytery channels.

17. Initiates and uses creative means to develop and maintain close relationships with church professionals.

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

18. Works closely with the Trustees on the management of the Presbytery's assets.

19. Authorizes expenditures of monies within budgetary and procedural limitations.

20. Works closely with the appropriate Council Committee to develop annual Presbytery budget.

ECCLESIASTICAL LEADERSHIP

21. Is involved with governing bodies of our denomination.

22. Is involved in ecumenical and interfaith groups and issues, providing voice and leadership when appropriate and reporting that activity to Council

23. Involves presbytery and its working groups in local and global prophetic witness.

RELATIONSHIPS

24. Works collegially with staff.

25. Celebrates Presbyterian polity and is sensitive to the roles of Moderator, Clerk and Chairs of Committees.

26. Works closely with Council to develop, declare, and promote broadly the vision of the Presbytery.

27. Reviewed annually by Personnel Committee.

In the words of that great 20th Century theologian and commentator, Dorothy of OZ, "This isn't Kansas anymore, Toto!" What Dorothy experienced was a change so dramatic that the world she knew and the rules she played by did not count any longer. She had learned a whole new way of getting along and behaving in order to get to her destination. She learned as she went along, tried things that did not work in order to find things that did work, and changed her basic assumptions about how the world worked. She succeeded through sorrows and joys, failures and successes. Her experience is apt for us beginning the 21st century as we search for new leadership.

Dorothy lived through what William Bergquist calls "second order change". (The Post-Modern Organization, 1993 pp. 7-8) "First order change" is change that can be undone, change that is reversible, change based on static assumptions and purposes. Dating during engagement by going to different places, Kruschev succeeding Stalin, the Presbytery drawing resources from its churches to support major efforts beyond the congregation are first order changes. Second order change is change that is irreversible, that cannot be undone, that is forced by dynamic assumptions and purposes. Becoming married instead of single, the Soviet Union dissolving into the Russian Federation and independent democracies, the Presbytery drawing support from churches in order to resource and encourage congregations are second order changes - changes that come about because the assumptions for why and how we do things have changed and cannot be undone and the things we choose to do are in flux as we discern new purposes.

In other words, we are experiencing metanoia - the Greek word for repentance or a change in direction. Literally it is a "shift of mind". We have described this as a cultural shift from Constantinian to Post-Constantinian, or from a culture that favors the Church through its laws, customs and practices to a culture that is at best neutral and often hostile toward the Church. The change in legal and civil attitudes toward Sunday, religious holidays and prayer in schools, and zoning laws affecting churches are evidence of this shift. We also experience this shift socially from Christian to Post-Christian, or from a society that once understood and accepted as normative Christian beliefs and practices to a culture that, not so much rejects, as is ignorant of our beliefs and practices. It holds Christianity as one option among many. Lastly, we identify the shift from Modern to Post-Modern, or from a view that accepts what is real as what can be analyzed logically, measured by reason, weighed and seen physically to knowing that reality also extends to the experiential and spiritual beyond rational explanation or tangible measurement.

These shifts create a new context for us to "be church". They call us to find new ways to effectively live, relate, witness and serve as Christians. For better or ill, this places new demands on congregations seeking to survive, on Pastors seeking to be effective agents of leadership, on governing bodies seeking to be supportive and on all of us seeking to be faithful daughters and sons of God fulfilling our callings. The long and short of it is: We cannot do church the same ways and be effective. We cannot be the same church and survive well. Presbytery leadership and focus cannot stay the same and help us!

As the EPNC seeks new leadership, we hold central our affirmation in the Resurrected Christ as our Lord and Savior, that we are called to live and share the new life that reality brings, and we need to do it effectively as our Savior's body - the Church. We are very concerned that our Presbytery continue to promote our current strengths of social witness and justice, creative mission involvement, as well as financial and asset management. At the same time, we take very seriously the COGOS report's focus that we resource congregations for our new context, support clergy and educators for their work in the new context, and accept in reality as well as in principle an inclusivity of faith orientation, social concern, race, national heritage and gender among other perspectives. The implication for leadership is that "maintenance" is secondary, and "change" is primary.

We need someone who is comfortable with change, with the tensions it brings. This person will understand that their role will be to effectively lead us to identify the changes we need to make and accept them.

We need someone who can lead us into the wilderness with the compass of their faith but is not afraid of "trial and error". This person will be spiritual and be comfortable with the diversity of who we are as we seek to express ourselves in new ways.

We need someone who is compassionate with us and supportive of our struggles. This person will bring their own experience and insight as a resource to help us explore new ways to be the church while keeping our strengths.

She or he will not bring us answers nor set us on the right path, but will lead us in finding our own answers and path - however we discern God is leading us. Therefore, we ask you prayerfully, to consider seriously, and accept with us this shift in focus and purpose in our "Position Description for Executive Presbyter".

Bergquist, William. The Postmodern Organization (Jossey-Bass , San Francisco) 1993.

Easum, William. Dancing with Dinosaurs (Abingdon Press, Nashville) 1993.

Mead, Loren B. The Once and Furture Church (Alban Institute, NYC) 199?.

Senge, Peter M. The Fifth Discipline (Doubleday, New York) 1990.

Wuthnow, Robert. Christianity in the 21st Century (Oxford University Press, New York) 1993