Presbytery Executives Meet

Sacramento, CA

On September 28, the Executive Presbyters and the Synod Executive of the Synod of the Pacific met with the Rev. Gary Torrens, Associate for Middle Governing Body Relations, to discuss the challenges currently being faced by presbyteries around the PCUSA.  Operating under the premise that presbytery life is currently more challenging, complicated, and that most presbyteries are experiencing greater financial challenges than in the past, Rev. Torrens posed two questions to the executives, 1) How is your presbytery experiencing this “crunch”, and 2) How is your presbytery adapting to the “crunch?”

The executives responded to the first question by indicating their presbyteries are experiencing the “crunch” in the following ways:

• Unified Mission Pledges are decreasing and therefore there is a corresponding decrease in Synod Mission Block Grants to presbyteries; There is a tension between maintaining presbytery staff and funding mission programs; Several areas of the synod are experiencing declines in their economy;Some churches are withholding their mission dollars as a means to protest an action or policy of the church;More churches are using “Directed Giving” rather than “Unified Giving”;Very small churches are struggling and need assistance from the presbytery;Some churches are functioning more like Congregationalists and less like connectional Presbyterians;In some churches there is a lack of commitment to evangelism;
• As cultural diversity increases in the synod, it is a challenge to find pastors who speak the language of the various ethnic groups.

In discussing how presbyteries are adapting to these challenges, the executives indicated that some of the presbyteries are restructuring in a way that results in fewer presbytery committees.  To meet the need to fill pulpits in small churches, Commissioned Lay Pastors (CLPs) are being utilized.  Many of the presbyteries are holding “pastor gatherings” with no agenda other than to provide an opportunity to build relationships. 

Rev. Torrens has held meetings with most of the Executive Forums in the sixteen synods, and will be writing a paper on his findings that will be made public sometime in the near future.  This paper will provide a basis to begin conversations around finding new and innovative ways for presbyteries to adapt to the challenges they currently face.