Mossy Creek Presbyterian Church


Pastor's Welcome About Mossy Creek Who We Are What We Do Calendar of Events Church History Published Directions Contact Information		Policy Manual Session (Elders) Organization of the Session — The session shall consist of nine active, ruling elders and the pastor. The ruling elders shall be divided into three classes. Each class shall serve a three-year term that begins on January 1 following installation and ends on Dec. 31 three years later. If the installation of the next class is delayed and does not occur before Dec. 31, the previous class shall serve until the next class is installed. Elders elected to fill unexpired terms shall assume responsibilities following their installation. At Mossy Creek, elders customarily serve one three-year term. After a year as an inactive elder, an individual may serve additional three-year terms, each of which must follow a year in inactive status. Also, the custom is that no two elders are from the same immediate family. Session Meetings Regular Meetings — The session shall have stated meetings on the third Sunday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the church unless other arrangements have been made at a previous meeting or by mutual agreement. When inclement weather or other events prohibit the convening of a stated meeting, the moderator, with the assistance of the clerk, will notify other members that the meeting will not be held. The moderator and/or the clerk will then confer in person, by telephone, or by e-mail with session members to determine if the meeting should be rescheduled or if the meeting will not be held. When a meeting is not held the regular schedule will resume the following month. Meeting Agendas — An agenda for each meeting will be adopted; and if the agenda cannot be accomplished in a two-hour period, the session will decide to extend the meeting, call another meeting to accomplish the unfinished business, or postpone its consideration until the next stated meeting. Called Meetings — Called meetings may be held when the moderator believes that they are necessary or when two session members request in writing that a meeting be called. Called meetings are for specific purposes, and the agenda of the meeting is confined to those purposes. When matters other than routine business are to be considered, advance notice of the called meeting will be given. Attendance by Members of the Congregation and Others — An active member of the congregation may request to attend a session meeting and may do so when granted permission by the session. Requests may be made through an elder or the pastor, and permission is granted by vote of the entire session. Individuals may be invited by members of the session to attend meetings with the approval of the session when the individual may provide information related to matters being considered. The Moderator Eligibility to Moderate a Meeting — The pastor is moderator of all session meetings. When the session must meet and the pastor will be absent, the pastor may request, with the approval of the session, that an elder or person listed under G-10.0103 in the Book of Order moderate the meeting. With the approval of the pastor, the session may convene and elect one of its own members to serve as moderator. When the church is without a pastor, a moderator appointed by Presbytery will moderate session meetings. If the appointed moderator can not be present, the session may elect one of its own members to serve as moderator with the permission of the appointed moderator. If the church is without a pastor and Presbytery has not yet appointed a moderator, the session may meet to consider necessary business and appoint one of its members to moderate the meeting. Responsibilities of the Moderator — The responsibilities of the moderator are to conduct meetings in an orderly and efficient manner. He shall prepare a specific agenda for the meeting, and other members shall be urged to tell him of other major items that should be included on the agenda. A copy of the agenda will be placed in the church mailboxes of each elder on or before the morning of the meeting. Notification by e-mail may be substituted for members having access. The moderator will ensure, with the assistance of the clerk, that all constitutionally required duties of the session are place on the agenda for session meetings at an appropriate time. Incomplete Meetings — The agenda for each meeting will be approved with amendments at the beginning of each meeting and shall include an adjournment time. When an agenda is not completed by the adjournment time, the session may vote to take one of three following actions: Decide if the meeting should be continued with a new adjournment time established. Decide whether another meeting should be called to complete the agenda. Decide if the remaining portion of the agenda should be deferred to the next stated meeting. A Quorum — The moderator will determine if a quorum is present and ensure that the meetings are opened and closed with prayer. A quorum shall consist of the pastor and one-third of the active elders. Moderator’s Report — At each meeting, the moderator shall present his requests for reimbursement and a summary of his activities since the last meeting. The Clerk The clerk of the session will be an active elder and a member of the session and will be elected for a one-year term. Responsibilities of the Clerk — Responsibilities of the clerk shall be as follows: Maintain accurate minutes of the meeting and communicate with other individuals or groups when instructed to do so by the session. Present minutes to the Presbytery annually. Maintain records of the church in a secure manner. These records shall include, in addition to the minutes of session and congregational meetings, a register of active members, a register of inactive members, a register of baptized members, an active membership roll, a baptized roll, and a register of affiliate members. Maintain archives which contain lists of members who die, elected elders, deacons, trustees, members, members transfered to other churches, and the pastors of the church. Marriages performed in the church shall be recorded. Marriages of active and inactive members shall be noted on the appropriate roll. Store all records identified above in the church safe. Store working copies in the church office. Receive any communications directed to the session and bring them to the attention of the members of the session as soon as possible. Assistant Clerk The session may elect an assistant clerk to assist the clerk and/or for training purposes. This person will be a Mossy Creek elder either active or inactive. Standing Committees Organization of Standing Committees — The membership of standing committees is reviewed at the beginning of each year. Each committee is chaired by an elder and should include, in addition to other appointed elders, members of the board of deacons, and members of the congregation as approved by the session. The standing committees of the session are Worship, Christian Education, Witness/Evangelism, Special Gifts, Communications, Personnel, Cemetery, Stewardship and Finance. The session may add, delete standing committees as it deems necessary. (Approved 8/22/04) Frequency of Meetings — Each standing committee shall meet as often as necessary to conduct its business but must meet at least twice each calendar year. Ad Hoc Committees Session may create ad hoc committees for specific purposes.
Mossy Creek Presbyterian Church, 372 Kyles Mill Road, Mt. Solon, Virginia 22843 :: (540) 350-2372