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Mission on the Move is highlighting the Pittsburgh Presbytery. Currently there are 128 churches in Pittsburgh Presbytery, both large and small congregations. Westminster is one of the largest and in many ways is a leader, demonstrating through generous giving and volunteer service what God has called us to do.
The 128 PCUSA churches in Pittsburgh Presbytery are divided into four branches – North Branch has 34 churches, South Branch has 30, East Branch has 29, and West Branch has 35 churches. Westminster is a part of the West Branch. This configuration has been arranged “to help assist churches near each other to connect and collaborate.” This link is an interactive map of all the churches in the Presbytery.
Most of the funding for the work of the presbytery comes from each church’s per capita assessment of $34.79 per member. $23.41 of that amount goes to Pittsburgh Presbytery. The rest goes to Synod and General Assembly of the PC(USA). In addition to the per capita funding, Outreach Commission of Westminster has allocated $13,500 in 2022 for the outreach work of the presbytery.
Currently four presbytery meetings are held each year. Ruling elders and pastors from the churches register to attend the meetings, receive a Presbytery Packet, and vote on actions to be taken by the presbytery. In 2022 two more meetings will be held: September 22 at Camp Crestfield and December 8 at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
Pittsburgh Presbytery has a relatively small number of paid staff – five leadership team members and four support staff members. Additionally, a Presbytery Moderator and four Vice Moderators, one from each branch, oversee the work of the various commissions and committees. The paid staff and the moderators are liaisons to the following groups:
Administrative Commission for Transformation (ACT) assists churches of Pittsburgh Presbytery to reach others for Christ, to provide hands-on training and mentorship for future pastors, to encourage congregational partnerships, and to be involved in the mission of Jesus Christ.
Commission on Ministry (COM) serves Pittsburgh Presbytery by visiting regularly and consulting with each minister of the presbytery, ensuring they are successful in their calls, and reporting to the presbytery annually the type of work in which each minister is engaged. The commission counsels with churches and their sessions to discuss their mission and ministry in their community, the presbytery, and the larger church, and helps guide them in the process of finding new pastors to lead them when there is an opening.
Executive Committee of Pittsburgh Presbytery is its governing council and corporate board of directors. It is empowered by the Manual of Pittsburgh Presbytery to act on presbytery’s behalf on some matters and to advise presbytery on others, especially those that may be considered controversial or those dealing with finance and budgets.
New Worshiping Communities Commission helps individuals discern if they are feeling called to be a leader of a new worshiping community and helps them connect with resources.
These commissions are comprised of pastors and elders from the member churches, usually serving a three-year term. Over the years, and currently, many members of Westminster have served on these commissions and committees. A weekly PNews newsletter can be subscribed to by emailing [email protected]. Find more information about Pittsburgh Presbytery on their website.
– Paul and Sandy Conley