About the Huntsville Presbytery
The Huntsville Presbytery, consists of the following nineteen congregations: Blackburn Chapel, Briar Fork, Bright Hope, Cedar Grove, Chelsea, Church Street, Lewis Chapel, Madkins Chapel, Moses Temple, Mt. Sinai, Mt. Zion, New Heaven, New Hope, Pleasant Grove, St. Elizabeth, St. James Number Two, Triana, Union Hill, and West End.
Mission Statement: The mission of The Huntsville Presbytery as a presbytery of the Alabama Synod and the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America is to function pursuant to the Constitution of the Confession of Faith and more specifically to:
a. Provide pastoral oversight over ministers and sessions.
b. Work with church sessions to enhance church growth, leadership skills, and spiritual development.
c. Provide guidance for new church development.
d. Take special oversight of churches that do not have the services of a minister.
e. Support the missions of the Alabama Synod and the General Assembly.
f. Train and license candidates, ordain licentiates to the ministry, and install pastors, associate/assistant pastors associated with The Huntsville Presbytery.
g. Secure immediately the ordination credentials from a minister when the minister leaves the denomination. Presbytery will follow guidelines and procedures established by the General Assembly for rescinding the credentials of clergy no longer members of the CPCA
Organizational Structure: The organizational structure of the Huntsville Presbytery consists of Boards, Standing Committees, Select Committees, and Auxiliaries as follows:
a. Boards:
(1) Huntsville Presbytery Executive Board (HPEB)
(2) Board of Budget and Finance
(3) Board of Christian Education
(4) Board of Missions and Evangelism
(5) Board of Judiciary
b. Standing Committees:
(1) Committee on Ministry
(2) Committee on Nomination
(3) Committee on History
(4) Committee on Planning the Presbytery’s Annual Meeting
c. Select Committees:
(1) Committee on the Executive Board Report
(2) Committee on Audit of the Financial Records
(3) Committee on Board of Christian Education Report
(4) Committee on Board of Missions and Evangelism Report
(5) Committee on Historical Report
(6) Committee on Church Sessions Records
(7) Committee on Communications
(8) Committee on Statistics
(9) Committee on Memorials
(10) Committee on Resolution/Resolutions of Thanks
d. Auxiliaries:
(1) Huntsville Presbytery Sunday School Convention
(2) Huntsville Presbytery Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (CPYF)
(3) Huntsville Presbytery Missionary Society
(4) Huntsville Presbytery Junior Missionary Society
(5) Huntsville Presbytery Council of Ministers, Elders, Deacons, and Members
Huntsville Presbytery Executive Board (HPEB):
a. Composition: The HPEB shall be comprised of the following sixteen (16) members. It has five officers, Moderator, Vice Moderator, Stated Clerk, Engrossing Clerk, and Chaplain. The moderator shall designate the Chaplaincy to any one of the following members:
(1) Moderator of the Presbytery
(2) Vice Moderator
(3) Stated Clerk
(4) Engrossing Clerk
(5) Chairperson, Board of Budget and Finance
(6) Chairperson, Board of Christian Education
(7) Chairperson, Board of Mission and Evangelism
(8) Chairperson, Board of Judiciary
(9) Chairperson, Committee on History
(10) Chairperson, Committee on Nomination
(11) Chairperson, Committee on Ministry
(12) President, Huntsville Presbytery Sunday School Convention
(13) Advisor, Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (CPYF)
(14) President, Huntsville Presbytery Missionary Society
(15) President, Huntsville Presbytery Council of Ministers, Elders, Deacons, and Members
(16) Member at Large
b. Function/Responsibility:
(1) The HPEB functions in the capacity of planning, of overseeing, and of ensuring the implementation of mandates given it by the Presbytery.
(2) Coordinate the desired goals for the Presbytery and assure that the goals are in line with those set by the Synod, General Assembly, and the Constitution.
(3) Oversee the functions and responsibilities of boards and standing committees and give them guidance when necessary.
(4) Study the organization of the Presbytery and propose changes where deemed necessary.
(5) Review the work and projects of other boards, committees and make recommendations as appropriate to the boards, to committees, and to the Presbytery.
(6) Review all pastoral relationships with congregations and has oversight of pastoral installations. Contacts the congregation within 30 days after the congregation’s pastor position is vacated, and work diligently with that congregation until a pastor is installed. Take special oversight of the congregation that does not have the service of a minister; and with concurrence of the session, appoint a minister to moderate until one is permanently called.
(7) This board, along with the Board of Budget and Finance, reviews the budget requests of Boards, Committees, and Auxiliaries; proposes a unified budget to the Presbytery.
(8) The quorum for this board is any six members present.
(9) The normal agenda and order of business (subject to change) for the HPEB are set forth in the Rules of Orders, 7.0, Confession Faith, 2007 Edition.
c. Authority. Upon the adjournment of the Huntsville Presbytery and during the period the Presbytery is not in session, the HPEB, in addition to the function/responsibility sighted above, is empowered to act on behalf of the Huntsville Presbytery when emergencies arrive, and a called meeting of the Presbytery is not feasible. It reports directly to the Huntsville Presbytery. Its work ultimately is directed by and must be approved by the Huntsville Presbytery. All functions not lodged in the Boards and standing committees are assigned to the Huntsville Presbytery Executive Board (HPEB).
Officers:
The officers of the Presbytery are Moderator, Vice Moderator, Stated Clerk, and Engrossing Clerk. Minister and Elders must fill the offices of Moderator and Vice Moderator. Elders, as Moderator and Vice Moderator, must be an elected representative to the Presbytery at the time of election and during each year of service.
Moderator:
a. The moderator performs those duties set forth in the Rules of Order, 1.0 Moderator, Confession of Faith, 2007 Edition.
b. The Moderator has the authority to appoint all select/ad hoc committees as deemed necessary by the Presbytery, and or the Huntsville Presbytery Executive Board (HPEB).
c. The Moderator is an advisory member of all boards and agencies and can attend their meetings as his/her schedule permits.
d.The Moderator visits each of the congregations/churches as necessary.
Vice-Moderator:
The Vice-Moderator performs those duties set forth in the Rules of Order, 2.0 Vice Moderator, Confession of Faith, 2007 Edition.
Stated Clerk:
a. The Stated Clerk performs such duties as outlined in the Rules of Order, 3.0 Stated Clerk, Confession of Faith, 2007 Edition, and as prescribed by the Presbytery.
b. The Presbytery’s HPEB prescribes such other duties as may be required and or necessary due to the Stated Clerk’s responsibility to the HPEB.
c. The Stated Clerk records the minutes of each session of the Presbytery and have sufficient copies printed and mailed to each member (Ministers and Church Sessions) of the Presbytery within 90 days following the meeting of the Presbytery. Also, mail copies to others the Presbytery identifies.
d. The Stated Clerk receives the Boards and Standing Committees’ annual reports 30 days prior to each Summer Presbytery’s meeting so that copies may be incorporated into the preliminary minutes and mailed to all Members, Candidates, Licentiates, and Youth Delegates prior to the setting of the Presbytery.
e. The Stated Clerk provides a report form to each Church Session clerk for completion and return to the Stated Clerk prior to or during the Presbytery’s Summer meeting.
f. The Stated Clerk provides to each member and Youth Advisory Delegate the appointment of select/ad hoc committee members. This will inform them of their committee assignment prior to the Presbytery’s meeting.
g. The Stated Clerk, in consultation with the Moderator, makes referral of all items that come before the Presbytery.
h. The Stated Clerk makes arrangements for administrative support (clerical, typewriters, computer, and reproducing equipment) as needed for the Presbytery meetings.
i. The Stated Clerk secures an appropriately engraved gavel and presents it to the retiring Moderator at the end of the Moderator’s term of service.
Engrossing Clerk:
a. The Engrossing Clerk serves under the direction of the Stated Clerk as the official recorder of the minutes of the Presbytery.
b. She/he serves as Stated Clerk pro tem during the absence of the Stated Clerk.
Board of Budget and Finance:
a. Composition. The Board of Budget and Finance is comprised of seven (7) members. It shall have three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary; all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Formulate the annual Presbytery’s budget.
(2) Receive all budget requests from the boards, committees, and auxiliaries of the Presbytery.
(3) Coordinate all matters related to ministerial relief.
(4) The members of this board are the trustees of the Presbytery.
(5) All the board members must be bonded, or as a minimum, the members responsible for signing the checks.
(6) All financial reports of this body shall be itemized to denote purpose each check was issued, and a receipt for each check must be filed.
(7) Receipts for reimbursement must be official and submitted prior to issuance of all checks.
c. Authority. This board has full responsibility for managing and for controlling all financial matters of the Presbytery.
Board of Christian Education:
a. Composition. The Board of Christian Education shall be comprised of seven (7) persons (five ministers/elders, two deacons, and or laypersons). It shall have three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary, all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Recommend to the Presbytery Christian educational goals and objectives, which will strengthen the work of Christian education at both the congregation, and Presbytery levels.
(2) Assist in the development of Christian education programs within local congregations.
(3) Endorse and recommend appropriate resource materials.
c. Authority.This Board has the full responsibility for managing and implementing Christian education programs at the Presbytery level.
Board of Mission and Evangelism:
a. Composition. The Board of Missions and Evangelism is comprised of seven (7) members. It has three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary. All officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Recommend to the Presbytery missions and evangelism goals and objectives, which will strengthen the work of missions and of evangelism at both the congregation and Presbytery levels.
(2) Develop and promote home, church, and foreign missions and evangelism movements.
(3) Assist local congregations within the Presbytery with creation and development of mission and evangelism programs.
(4) Recommend resources appropriate for mission and evangelism, and coordinate programs at the local level.
c. Authority. This Board has full responsibility of managing and implementing mission and evangelism programs at the Presbytery level.
Board of Judiciary:
a. Composition. The Board of Judiciary is comprised of thirteen (13) persons (ordained ministers and elders only) and has three officers, chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary; all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting. In order to perform the functions under the Rules of Discipline when required, the board will establish from its members two subcommittees consisting of six (6) members each: (1) Judiciary Committee and (2) Disciplinary Commission.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Review all judicial issues submitted to the Presbytery and or Huntsville Presbytery Executive Board for deliberation thereon. All such issues must first be received by the Presbytery and or HPEB and thereby referred to the Board of Judiciary. Judicial issues consist of those things requiring interpretation and or application of the constitution and bylaws. The board will examine all minutes of the General Assembly, Synod, and Huntsville Presbytery, and such other records as are referred to it, and report its findings to the presbytery.
(2) The committee must at least four (4) of its members in attendance at each meeting of the Presbytery to advise on all judicial questions, which may be referred to members for advice and or counsel.
(3) The committee has the full responsibility for rendering opinions and interpretations on all judicial issues, and matters related to the Constitution of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America.
c. Authority. Its work ultimately is subordinate to that of the Presbytery and must be supported/affirmed by the Presbytery for validation.
Committee on Ministry:
a. Composition. The Committee on Ministry is comprised of eleven (11) persons (ordained ministers and elders only). It has three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary; all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Receive, give pastoral guidance, instruct, examine, and nurture all persons referred to it by the Presbytery and or HPEB as a person entering the ministry.
(2) Follow guidelines and requirements established and approved for candidates, and licentiates, and shall require the candidates and licentiates under its care to complete all requirements.
(3) Determine when a candidate for the ministry is ―ready for the next step, which is licentiate, and shall recommend such to the Presbytery.
(4) Give regular attention to the growth and progress of each candidate and licentiate, and give special attention to those who require it.
(5) Recommend to the Presbytery licentiates to be ordained: Licentiate must complete the requirements pursuant to the Constitution, 6.30, Ordination of Ministers.
(6) Issue, with the Presbytery’s approval, the call for revocation of licensure and ordination credentials when a minister leaves the Huntsville Presbytery.
c. Authority. This committee has the full authority to guide the ministerial candidates/licentiates during that period leading up to their ordination; and nurture, and encourage vocational development of ordained ministers who do not pastor.
Committee on History:
a. Composition. The Committee on History is comprised of seven (7) persons (ministers, elders, deacons, and laypersons). It has three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary, all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Collect and preserve the history and to promote the knowledge of the history of the churches, organizations, auxiliaries, and people of the Huntsville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA).
(2) Establish and maintain a library, archives, and museum for the acquisition and care of such material and records as may be germane to the purpose of the committee.
(3) Serve as the Presbytery’s liaison with other judicatory historical agencies, and committees of the denomination.
(4) Work with local churches in compiling and preserving histories of the churches.
c. Authority. This committee has the full responsibility for managing the process of collecting and preserving the history of the churches within Huntsville Presbytery.
Committee on Nomination:
a. Composition. This committee is comprised of seven (7) persons (ordained ministers and elders only). It has three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary, all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Nominate to the Huntsville Presbytery qualified persons to fill all vacancies in elected offices, boards, and standing committees.
(2) Receive from the Stated Clerk all recommendations for upcoming vacancies that have been submitted by Church Sessions and others.
(3) Make its report early in the meeting of the Presbytery, such as the first day.
c. From the Floor Nominations by members of the Huntsville Presbytery.
Any member of the Huntsville Presbytery, at the time of election, may make nominations from the floor provided personal consent of the person nominated has been obtained.
d. Authority. This committee has the full responsibility of ensuring that a slate of officers is nominated for an election and nominees to fill all boards and standing committees vacancies.
Committee on Planning the Presbytery’s Annual Meeting:
a. Composition. The Committee on Planning the Summer Presbytery meeting is comprised of the Moderator, Vice Moderator, Stated Clerk, Engrossing Clerk, President of Sunday School Convention, President of CPYF, President of Missionary Society and President of Junior Missionary Society.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Plan the summer meeting program of the Huntsville Presbytery and its auxiliaries.
(2) Meet with the host church and arrange for administrative support and meeting places for auxiliaries.
c. Authority. This committee has the full responsibility of planning, of organizing, and of acquiring all supplies, materials, and equipment needed for the administrative support for the Summer Presbytery Meeting.
Member at Large:
a. Composition. Any member in good standing of the Huntsville Presbytery may be elected to this position.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Member-At-large is defined as one who participates fully in all aspects of Huntsville Presbytery and or HPEB work and decision-making (including voting privileges), but does not represent a specific Huntsville Presbytery and/or HPEB particular constituency.
(2) A member at large represents the general membership on issues of interest or concern, particularly those that arise outside of the standing committee structure.
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The Huntsville Presbytery holds two meetings annually, a Spring (May) Presbytery meeting, and a Summer (July) Presbytery meeting.
The Huntsville Presbytery conducts Continuing Education courses at the Denominational Center for preachers who desire to be licensed and ordained under this denomination. The staff consists of members of the Huntsville Presbytery.
Mission Statement: The mission of The Huntsville Presbytery as a presbytery of the Alabama Synod and the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America is to function pursuant to the Constitution of the Confession of Faith and more specifically to:
a. Provide pastoral oversight over ministers and sessions.
b. Work with church sessions to enhance church growth, leadership skills, and spiritual development.
c. Provide guidance for new church development.
d. Take special oversight of churches that do not have the services of a minister.
e. Support the missions of the Alabama Synod and the General Assembly.
f. Train and license candidates, ordain licentiates to the ministry, and install pastors, associate/assistant pastors associated with The Huntsville Presbytery.
g. Secure immediately the ordination credentials from a minister when the minister leaves the denomination. Presbytery will follow guidelines and procedures established by the General Assembly for rescinding the credentials of clergy no longer members of the CPCA
Organizational Structure: The organizational structure of the Huntsville Presbytery consists of Boards, Standing Committees, Select Committees, and Auxiliaries as follows:
a. Boards:
(1) Huntsville Presbytery Executive Board (HPEB)
(2) Board of Budget and Finance
(3) Board of Christian Education
(4) Board of Missions and Evangelism
(5) Board of Judiciary
b. Standing Committees:
(1) Committee on Ministry
(2) Committee on Nomination
(3) Committee on History
(4) Committee on Planning the Presbytery’s Annual Meeting
c. Select Committees:
(1) Committee on the Executive Board Report
(2) Committee on Audit of the Financial Records
(3) Committee on Board of Christian Education Report
(4) Committee on Board of Missions and Evangelism Report
(5) Committee on Historical Report
(6) Committee on Church Sessions Records
(7) Committee on Communications
(8) Committee on Statistics
(9) Committee on Memorials
(10) Committee on Resolution/Resolutions of Thanks
d. Auxiliaries:
(1) Huntsville Presbytery Sunday School Convention
(2) Huntsville Presbytery Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (CPYF)
(3) Huntsville Presbytery Missionary Society
(4) Huntsville Presbytery Junior Missionary Society
(5) Huntsville Presbytery Council of Ministers, Elders, Deacons, and Members
Huntsville Presbytery Executive Board (HPEB):
a. Composition: The HPEB shall be comprised of the following sixteen (16) members. It has five officers, Moderator, Vice Moderator, Stated Clerk, Engrossing Clerk, and Chaplain. The moderator shall designate the Chaplaincy to any one of the following members:
(1) Moderator of the Presbytery
(2) Vice Moderator
(3) Stated Clerk
(4) Engrossing Clerk
(5) Chairperson, Board of Budget and Finance
(6) Chairperson, Board of Christian Education
(7) Chairperson, Board of Mission and Evangelism
(8) Chairperson, Board of Judiciary
(9) Chairperson, Committee on History
(10) Chairperson, Committee on Nomination
(11) Chairperson, Committee on Ministry
(12) President, Huntsville Presbytery Sunday School Convention
(13) Advisor, Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (CPYF)
(14) President, Huntsville Presbytery Missionary Society
(15) President, Huntsville Presbytery Council of Ministers, Elders, Deacons, and Members
(16) Member at Large
b. Function/Responsibility:
(1) The HPEB functions in the capacity of planning, of overseeing, and of ensuring the implementation of mandates given it by the Presbytery.
(2) Coordinate the desired goals for the Presbytery and assure that the goals are in line with those set by the Synod, General Assembly, and the Constitution.
(3) Oversee the functions and responsibilities of boards and standing committees and give them guidance when necessary.
(4) Study the organization of the Presbytery and propose changes where deemed necessary.
(5) Review the work and projects of other boards, committees and make recommendations as appropriate to the boards, to committees, and to the Presbytery.
(6) Review all pastoral relationships with congregations and has oversight of pastoral installations. Contacts the congregation within 30 days after the congregation’s pastor position is vacated, and work diligently with that congregation until a pastor is installed. Take special oversight of the congregation that does not have the service of a minister; and with concurrence of the session, appoint a minister to moderate until one is permanently called.
(7) This board, along with the Board of Budget and Finance, reviews the budget requests of Boards, Committees, and Auxiliaries; proposes a unified budget to the Presbytery.
(8) The quorum for this board is any six members present.
(9) The normal agenda and order of business (subject to change) for the HPEB are set forth in the Rules of Orders, 7.0, Confession Faith, 2007 Edition.
c. Authority. Upon the adjournment of the Huntsville Presbytery and during the period the Presbytery is not in session, the HPEB, in addition to the function/responsibility sighted above, is empowered to act on behalf of the Huntsville Presbytery when emergencies arrive, and a called meeting of the Presbytery is not feasible. It reports directly to the Huntsville Presbytery. Its work ultimately is directed by and must be approved by the Huntsville Presbytery. All functions not lodged in the Boards and standing committees are assigned to the Huntsville Presbytery Executive Board (HPEB).
Officers:
The officers of the Presbytery are Moderator, Vice Moderator, Stated Clerk, and Engrossing Clerk. Minister and Elders must fill the offices of Moderator and Vice Moderator. Elders, as Moderator and Vice Moderator, must be an elected representative to the Presbytery at the time of election and during each year of service.
Moderator:
a. The moderator performs those duties set forth in the Rules of Order, 1.0 Moderator, Confession of Faith, 2007 Edition.
b. The Moderator has the authority to appoint all select/ad hoc committees as deemed necessary by the Presbytery, and or the Huntsville Presbytery Executive Board (HPEB).
c. The Moderator is an advisory member of all boards and agencies and can attend their meetings as his/her schedule permits.
d.The Moderator visits each of the congregations/churches as necessary.
Vice-Moderator:
The Vice-Moderator performs those duties set forth in the Rules of Order, 2.0 Vice Moderator, Confession of Faith, 2007 Edition.
Stated Clerk:
a. The Stated Clerk performs such duties as outlined in the Rules of Order, 3.0 Stated Clerk, Confession of Faith, 2007 Edition, and as prescribed by the Presbytery.
b. The Presbytery’s HPEB prescribes such other duties as may be required and or necessary due to the Stated Clerk’s responsibility to the HPEB.
c. The Stated Clerk records the minutes of each session of the Presbytery and have sufficient copies printed and mailed to each member (Ministers and Church Sessions) of the Presbytery within 90 days following the meeting of the Presbytery. Also, mail copies to others the Presbytery identifies.
d. The Stated Clerk receives the Boards and Standing Committees’ annual reports 30 days prior to each Summer Presbytery’s meeting so that copies may be incorporated into the preliminary minutes and mailed to all Members, Candidates, Licentiates, and Youth Delegates prior to the setting of the Presbytery.
e. The Stated Clerk provides a report form to each Church Session clerk for completion and return to the Stated Clerk prior to or during the Presbytery’s Summer meeting.
f. The Stated Clerk provides to each member and Youth Advisory Delegate the appointment of select/ad hoc committee members. This will inform them of their committee assignment prior to the Presbytery’s meeting.
g. The Stated Clerk, in consultation with the Moderator, makes referral of all items that come before the Presbytery.
h. The Stated Clerk makes arrangements for administrative support (clerical, typewriters, computer, and reproducing equipment) as needed for the Presbytery meetings.
i. The Stated Clerk secures an appropriately engraved gavel and presents it to the retiring Moderator at the end of the Moderator’s term of service.
Engrossing Clerk:
a. The Engrossing Clerk serves under the direction of the Stated Clerk as the official recorder of the minutes of the Presbytery.
b. She/he serves as Stated Clerk pro tem during the absence of the Stated Clerk.
Board of Budget and Finance:
a. Composition. The Board of Budget and Finance is comprised of seven (7) members. It shall have three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary; all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Formulate the annual Presbytery’s budget.
(2) Receive all budget requests from the boards, committees, and auxiliaries of the Presbytery.
(3) Coordinate all matters related to ministerial relief.
(4) The members of this board are the trustees of the Presbytery.
(5) All the board members must be bonded, or as a minimum, the members responsible for signing the checks.
(6) All financial reports of this body shall be itemized to denote purpose each check was issued, and a receipt for each check must be filed.
(7) Receipts for reimbursement must be official and submitted prior to issuance of all checks.
c. Authority. This board has full responsibility for managing and for controlling all financial matters of the Presbytery.
Board of Christian Education:
a. Composition. The Board of Christian Education shall be comprised of seven (7) persons (five ministers/elders, two deacons, and or laypersons). It shall have three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary, all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Recommend to the Presbytery Christian educational goals and objectives, which will strengthen the work of Christian education at both the congregation, and Presbytery levels.
(2) Assist in the development of Christian education programs within local congregations.
(3) Endorse and recommend appropriate resource materials.
c. Authority.This Board has the full responsibility for managing and implementing Christian education programs at the Presbytery level.
Board of Mission and Evangelism:
a. Composition. The Board of Missions and Evangelism is comprised of seven (7) members. It has three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary. All officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Recommend to the Presbytery missions and evangelism goals and objectives, which will strengthen the work of missions and of evangelism at both the congregation and Presbytery levels.
(2) Develop and promote home, church, and foreign missions and evangelism movements.
(3) Assist local congregations within the Presbytery with creation and development of mission and evangelism programs.
(4) Recommend resources appropriate for mission and evangelism, and coordinate programs at the local level.
c. Authority. This Board has full responsibility of managing and implementing mission and evangelism programs at the Presbytery level.
Board of Judiciary:
a. Composition. The Board of Judiciary is comprised of thirteen (13) persons (ordained ministers and elders only) and has three officers, chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary; all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting. In order to perform the functions under the Rules of Discipline when required, the board will establish from its members two subcommittees consisting of six (6) members each: (1) Judiciary Committee and (2) Disciplinary Commission.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Review all judicial issues submitted to the Presbytery and or Huntsville Presbytery Executive Board for deliberation thereon. All such issues must first be received by the Presbytery and or HPEB and thereby referred to the Board of Judiciary. Judicial issues consist of those things requiring interpretation and or application of the constitution and bylaws. The board will examine all minutes of the General Assembly, Synod, and Huntsville Presbytery, and such other records as are referred to it, and report its findings to the presbytery.
(2) The committee must at least four (4) of its members in attendance at each meeting of the Presbytery to advise on all judicial questions, which may be referred to members for advice and or counsel.
(3) The committee has the full responsibility for rendering opinions and interpretations on all judicial issues, and matters related to the Constitution of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America.
c. Authority. Its work ultimately is subordinate to that of the Presbytery and must be supported/affirmed by the Presbytery for validation.
Committee on Ministry:
a. Composition. The Committee on Ministry is comprised of eleven (11) persons (ordained ministers and elders only). It has three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary; all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Receive, give pastoral guidance, instruct, examine, and nurture all persons referred to it by the Presbytery and or HPEB as a person entering the ministry.
(2) Follow guidelines and requirements established and approved for candidates, and licentiates, and shall require the candidates and licentiates under its care to complete all requirements.
(3) Determine when a candidate for the ministry is ―ready for the next step, which is licentiate, and shall recommend such to the Presbytery.
(4) Give regular attention to the growth and progress of each candidate and licentiate, and give special attention to those who require it.
(5) Recommend to the Presbytery licentiates to be ordained: Licentiate must complete the requirements pursuant to the Constitution, 6.30, Ordination of Ministers.
(6) Issue, with the Presbytery’s approval, the call for revocation of licensure and ordination credentials when a minister leaves the Huntsville Presbytery.
c. Authority. This committee has the full authority to guide the ministerial candidates/licentiates during that period leading up to their ordination; and nurture, and encourage vocational development of ordained ministers who do not pastor.
Committee on History:
a. Composition. The Committee on History is comprised of seven (7) persons (ministers, elders, deacons, and laypersons). It has three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary, all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Collect and preserve the history and to promote the knowledge of the history of the churches, organizations, auxiliaries, and people of the Huntsville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA).
(2) Establish and maintain a library, archives, and museum for the acquisition and care of such material and records as may be germane to the purpose of the committee.
(3) Serve as the Presbytery’s liaison with other judicatory historical agencies, and committees of the denomination.
(4) Work with local churches in compiling and preserving histories of the churches.
c. Authority. This committee has the full responsibility for managing the process of collecting and preserving the history of the churches within Huntsville Presbytery.
Committee on Nomination:
a. Composition. This committee is comprised of seven (7) persons (ordained ministers and elders only). It has three officers: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary, all officers are elected annually after each Summer Presbytery meeting.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Nominate to the Huntsville Presbytery qualified persons to fill all vacancies in elected offices, boards, and standing committees.
(2) Receive from the Stated Clerk all recommendations for upcoming vacancies that have been submitted by Church Sessions and others.
(3) Make its report early in the meeting of the Presbytery, such as the first day.
c. From the Floor Nominations by members of the Huntsville Presbytery.
Any member of the Huntsville Presbytery, at the time of election, may make nominations from the floor provided personal consent of the person nominated has been obtained.
d. Authority. This committee has the full responsibility of ensuring that a slate of officers is nominated for an election and nominees to fill all boards and standing committees vacancies.
Committee on Planning the Presbytery’s Annual Meeting:
a. Composition. The Committee on Planning the Summer Presbytery meeting is comprised of the Moderator, Vice Moderator, Stated Clerk, Engrossing Clerk, President of Sunday School Convention, President of CPYF, President of Missionary Society and President of Junior Missionary Society.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Plan the summer meeting program of the Huntsville Presbytery and its auxiliaries.
(2) Meet with the host church and arrange for administrative support and meeting places for auxiliaries.
c. Authority. This committee has the full responsibility of planning, of organizing, and of acquiring all supplies, materials, and equipment needed for the administrative support for the Summer Presbytery Meeting.
Member at Large:
a. Composition. Any member in good standing of the Huntsville Presbytery may be elected to this position.
b. Function/Responsibility.
(1) Member-At-large is defined as one who participates fully in all aspects of Huntsville Presbytery and or HPEB work and decision-making (including voting privileges), but does not represent a specific Huntsville Presbytery and/or HPEB particular constituency.
(2) A member at large represents the general membership on issues of interest or concern, particularly those that arise outside of the standing committee structure.
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The Huntsville Presbytery holds two meetings annually, a Spring (May) Presbytery meeting, and a Summer (July) Presbytery meeting.
The Huntsville Presbytery conducts Continuing Education courses at the Denominational Center for preachers who desire to be licensed and ordained under this denomination. The staff consists of members of the Huntsville Presbytery.