Presbytery of the Northern Plains

 5555 South Washington Suite A - Grand Forks, North Dakota  58201

 701-772-0783 or 800-243-3532 Fax 701-775-7599

• B-1.0000, NAME, OBJECT, AND CORPORATION

• B-2.0000, MEMBERSHIP

• B-3.0000, OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

• B-4.0000, MEETINGS

• B-5.0000, PRESBYTERY COUNCIL

• B-6.0000, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS

• B-7.0000, PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION

• B-9.0000, AREAS OF MINISTRY

• B-10.0000, RESIGNATION FROM OFFICE

• B-11.0000, PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

• B-12.0000, AMENDMENTS

Click here for print friendly version of the Bylaws of the Presbytery of the Northern Plains.

B-1.0100, NAME

The Presbytery of the Northern Plains is a corporate expression of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) consisting of all the particular churches and Ministers of the Word and Sacrament within the boundaries of the State of North Dakota, the counties of Becker, Clay, Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau in the State of Minnesota, and the city of Fairview, Montana, with the exception of any particular churches and ministers within this territory which are members of the Presbytery of Dakota.

B-1.0200, OBJECT

This Presbytery exists for the purpose of fulfilling the mission given to it by our Lord Jesus Christ. In accordance with the rules of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), our purpose is advanced as we:

a. Order and administer our life together.

b. Respond to the needs expressed by governing bodies, organizations, and/or individuals beyond ourselves.

c. Oversee, encourage, and guide the lives, ministries, and missions of our constituent particular churches.

d. Develop policies and strategies as a basic unit of mission with responsibilities for particular ministries.

e. Cooperate with other churches in ecumenical ventures.

B-1.300, MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Presbytery of the Northern Plains as we seek to be a faithful witness to the good news of Jesus Christ, is three-fold:

To CARE for the congregations and members of Presbytery by providing guidance, encouragement and resources for their ministries;

To CONNECT congregations and members of Presbytery with one another and with the church beyond our denominational and geographical bounds;

To CHALLENGE the congregations and members of Presbytery with a vision of faithfulness so that, with God’s help, our witness on the plains can grow.

B-1.301 COVENANT RELATIONSHIPS

As an integral part of its mission, the Presbytery of the Northern Plains has entered into covenantal relationships with Chogoria (Kenya) Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa and with Jamestown College.

 

Chogoria: The covenant, adopted by both Presbyteries in 2001, affirms that the Presbytery of the Northen Plains and the Chogoria Presbytery have committed themselves to partnership in order to be "mutually encouraged by each other’s faith" (Romans 1:12 NRSV) and thereby strengthened in our ministries. This partnership is intended to provide to both parties a variety of gifts through building a relationship through exchanging knowledge, through prayer for one another, through sister congregations, and by engaging in joint activities. We seek to display the unity in Jesus Christ which bridges even the divisions of culture, race, language, and geography.

Jamestown College: The covenant affirms that Jamestown College is an institution of higher education intentionally related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through its Synod of Lakes and Prairies and Presbytery of the Northern Plains. This historic relationship originated on October 31, 1883, with an action by the Presbytery of Red River. Each subsequent covenant between the College and the Church has reconfirmed the historic mission of the College to provide a learning community within which excellence of intellect, scholarship and character can be modeled and cultivated within the context of the Christian faith.

B-1.0400, CORPORATION

The Presbytery of the Northern Plains is incorporated under the laws of the State of North Dakota Century Code, Section 10-25-04.

B-1.0401, TRUSTEES

The trustees of the corporation are the members of the Presbytery Council. Its chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and treasurer shall serve correspondingly as officers of the corporation.

B-2.0100, MINISTERS

All ministers of the Word and Sacrament who have been officially received into its membership shall be continuing members.

B-2.0200, TEMPORARY MEMBERS

Persons qualifying under either of the following provisions are eligible to be enrolled as temporary members, during the time of such qualification:

a. Elders elected as Moderator of Presbytery, chairperson of Council, Stated Clerk of Presbytery, Treasurer of Presbytery, chairpersons of standing committees, or members of Presbytery Council shall be enrolled.

b. Ministers of the Word and Sacrament of other denominations serving in this Presbytery, who qualify under the provisions of G-11.0404c may be enrolled upon the recommendation of the Committee on Ministry and approval by Presbytery. Those enrolled shall be allowed full privileges, except the right to vote on issues affecting changes in the Book of Order or the structure of the PC (USA).

B-2.0300, ELDER COMMISSIONERS

Whenever the Presbytery meets, each particular church shall be eligible to be represented by an elder or elders, according to the following provisions (G_11:0101):

Under 500 members: 1 elder

501 - 1000 members: 2 elder

1001 - 1500 members: 3 elders

1501 - 2000 members: 4 elders

B-2.0400, CORRESPONDING MEMBERS

Ministers of the Word and Sacrament or elders in good standing in other bodies of this Church or in any other Christian Church, who are present at any meeting of the Presbytery, may be invited to sit as corresponding members, with voice but without vote.

B-2.0500, OTHER

Privilege of the floor with voice but without vote shall be granted to persons resident in Presbytery who are:

a. Former Moderators of this Presbytery.

b. Lay Pastors holding commissions from this Presbytery.

c. Members of the Administrative Personnel Association (G-14.0801).

d. Members of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (G-14.0801).

e. Members of the Presbyterian Church Business Administrators Association (G-14.0801).

f. Certified Church Educators (G-14.0705c).

B-3.0100, MODERATOR

A Moderator shall be elected prior to the annual meeting and shall assume office upon installation at the close of that meeting. The term of office shall be for one year or until the successor shall have been named. The Moderator shall be ineligible to succeed him/herself.

 

It shall be the duty of the Moderator to preside over all the meetings of the Presbytery and to be the vice-chairperson of the Presbytery Council. The Moderator shall see that all business is conducted in accordance with the provisions of The Constitution, and these Bylaws, and the rules of order. The Moderator shall appoint additional persons to assist the session records committee at the beginning of each meeting. The Moderator shall appoint such committees as are authorized by action of the Presbytery for which no other provisions have been made. Between Presbytery meetings upon recommendation of the Committee on Ministry the Moderator of Presbytery shall appoint moderators for churches without pastors and report such actions to the next meetings of Council and Presbytery.

 

Between Presbytery meetings the Moderator, upon the request of the Stated Clerk and following consultation with the Executive Presbyter and the Stated Clerk, shall be authorized to appoint an Investigating Committee in accordance with D-10.0201b of the Rules of Discipline of the PC (U.S.A.).

B-3.0102, Post-Moderatorial Duties

Immediately upon relinquishing office, the Moderator shall become the chairperson and a member of the Presbytery Council for a term of 1 year. In the event that the Moderator is unable to serve as chair of Council, the Presbytery Council shall have the power to select its own chairperson from among its members.

B-3.0200, VICE-MODERATOR

A Vice-Moderator shall be elected prior to the annual meeting of the Presbytery to assume office upon installation at the close of the meeting. The term of office shall be one year. At the close of the term the vice-moderator may be the nominee for Moderator for the following year.

 

The duties of the Vice-Moderator shall be to serve in the absence of the Moderator, or when requested to do so by the Moderator at Presbytery Meeting. The Vice-Moderator shall be in charge of the arrangements for Presbytery's worship and communion services and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Moderator. If the office of moderator shall become vacant, the vice-moderator shall assume that office for the remainder of the term. When the office of vice-moderator becomes vacant the nominating committee shall nominate a candidate to the next Presbytery meeting. The vice-moderator shall be a voting member of Presbytery Council.

B-3.0300, STATED CLERK

A Stated Clerk shall be elected at the annual meeting at which the term of office expires. The newly elected Stated Clerk shall assume the duties of that office on March 1 following the election, in order to give the previous Stated Clerk time to complete the annual reports. The term of office shall be three years. Presbytery may re-elect the Stated Clerk to additional terms if it so desires. A review and evaluation of the Stated Clerk's performance shall be made annually by Presbytery Council's Personnel Committee, which shall also make a recommendation concerning the Stated Clerk's salary to the Budget and Finance Committee. The Presbytery shall determine this salary upon recommendation from the Presbytery Council at the fall stated meeting. The Stated Clerk shall function in accordance with the Book of Order G-9.0203, G-9.0302, these Bylaws, and a Presbytery-approved position description.

 

Between meetings of Presbytery the Stated Clerk shall be authorized to transfer members from the closed church membership rolls of the Presbytery to the rolls of another church at the request of the member and shall report such actions to the next meeting of Presbytery.

B-3.0400, TREASURER

A Treasurer shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Presbytery. The term of office shall be three years. Presbytery may elect the Treasurer for additional terms if it so desires. The Treasurer is responsible to Presbytery. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds of the Presbytery. The Treasurer’s books shall be audited by a certified public accountant each year prior to the annual meeting. The Treasurer is responsible for all treasurer functions for the Presbytery income and expenditure accounts, and for oversight of all investments. The Treasurer shall oversee the work of the bookkeeper, making sure that appropriate fiscal policies are followed.

 

The Treasurer shall be an ex-officio member of Council, and shall provide resources to the Budget and Finance Committee, and be a member of the Corporate Affairs Committee. The Treasurer shall make recommendations about investment policy. The Treasurer shall be a signatory for Presbytery checks. The Treasurer shall present an oral and written report to each Presbytery meeting, prepare year-end financial statements, and participate in an annual audit report of the Presbytery’s books.

B-3.0500, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

In conformity with G-9.0700, the Presbytery shall employ an Executive Presbyter and such other administrative staff as it may desire. All such staff shall be accountable to the Presbytery through its Council, and shall work under the supervision of the Executive Presbyter.

B-3.0501, EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER

The Executive Presbyter shall be the chief administrator of the Presbytery, accountable to the Presbytery through its Council for the implementation of decisions and matters of strategy, program, and resources, for the provision of staff services for its agencies and committees, and for such additional responsibilities as are outlined in the Manual of Administrative Operations.

 

B-4.0100, STATED MEETINGS

The Presbytery shall hold three stated meetings each year as follows:

a. The annual meeting on the fourth Friday and/or Saturday of January.

b. The last Friday and/or Saturday of April, unless these dates occur during the week following Easter, in which case the meeting will be held the following Friday and/or Saturday.

c. The first Friday and/or Saturday of October.

B-4.0101, Meeting Places

The place for each stated meeting of Presbytery shall be determined in advance by the Presbytery upon recommendation of the Presbytery Council.

B-4.0200, SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special Meetings may be called in accordance with the provisions of G-11.0201.

B-4.0300, CHANGE OF PLACE OR TIME OF MEETING

Whenever it shall become necessary to change the time or place of any stated meeting of the Presbytery, the Moderator, Stated Clerk, and Executive Presbyter shall be authorized to secure another time and/or place of meeting, and to issue a call for that meeting according to the rules for calling a special meeting.

B-4.0400, WORSHIP

Each stated meeting shall include a communion service.

B-4.0500, QUORUM OF PRESBYTERY

A quorum of the Presbytery shall be any three minister members and the elder members present, provided that at least three particular churches are represented by elders.

B-5.0100, PURPOSE

The Presbytery shall elect a Council, for the purpose of coordinating its mission and program and for undertaking such other specific tasks as the Presbytery may from time to time choose to assign to it.

B-5.0200, MEMBERSHIP

B-5.0201, Voting Members

Voting Members shall be: The immediate past Moderator of the Presbytery (who shall be chairperson of the Council); the present Moderator of the Presbytery (who shall be vice-chairperson of the Council); the vice-moderator of Presbytery; the chairpersons of the Standing Committees; a representative designated by and from the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery and elected by Presbytery; and the Presbytery's commissioners to Synod and General Assembly.

B-5.0202, Non-voting Members

Non-Voting Members shall be the Presbytery Executive, Stated Clerk, and Treasurer. The Stated Clerk shall serve as secretary to the Council.

B-5.0300, RESPONSIBILITY

The Council shall handle and consider only such administrative and programmatic business as may be referred to it by the Presbytery. It may make recommendations concerning such administrative and programmatic business as may come to its attention during the intervals between meetings of the Presbytery. The Council shall have no power of initiating action except as provided in Section 5.500 below. No judicial business may be referred to the Council. The Council shall report at each stated meeting of the Presbytery every item of business transacted by it. Its decisions shall be immediately operative wherever power has been conferred, but may be reviewed and reversed by the Presbytery.

 

Council shall request reviews from campus ministries each year before requesting ongoing Synod funds and apprise campus ministries and related local congregations of new possibilities of partnership, funding, and ministry.

Council shall create committees to do its work between meetings. Membership shall consist of but not be limited to members of Council.

a. A Personnel Committee shall be responsible for all personnel matters and shall annually review and evaluate the work of each staff member, making recommendations to Presbytery through Council for compensation and benefits, and for election/re-election for those staff who are officers of the Presbytery. The Executive Presbyter shall serve as staff to the committee.

b. A Corporate Affairs Committee shall receive and recommend to Presbytery or Council, whichever meets first, actions related to the lease, sale, mortgage, or incumbrance of any real property of the congregations or the Presbytery. The Chair of Council, Treasurer, Stated Clerk, and Executive Presbyter, shall sit on the committee.

c. An Agenda, Bylaws, and Structure Committee whose work shall be:

to review and recommend to Presbytery changes in the bylaws (in accordance with B-12.0100)

• to set the agenda for Council

• to recommend changes in the structure of Presbytery or Council to that same body

• to handle any other business assigned to it by Council

The Moderator and Vice-Moderator of Presbytery, Chair of Council, Executive Presbyter, and Stated Clerk shall sit on this committee.

B-5.0500, POWERS

In accordance with G_11.0103v the following powers shall be assigned to the Council, subject to the Presbytery's review:

1. To develop strategy for the mission of the Church within the Presbytery's geographic area, consistent with G_3.0000, and to recommend to the Presbytery appropriate actions to initiate mission in the light of the larger strategy of the Synod and the General Assembly.

2. To consult with the Synod concerning the overall mission needs of the Synod, as well as the needs for financial assistance in maintaining staff services for the Presbytery, and to present to the Presbytery and its particular churches the budgets devised to meet these needs.

3. To direct the work of employed administrative personnel, and to terminate or accept, between stated meetings of the Presbytery, the resignation of administrative staff.

4. To consider and act upon requests from particular churches for permission to take the actions regarding real property described in G_8_0000 and P-5.0404.

5. To prepare the docket of business for the meeting of the Presbytery, with the assistance of the Stated Clerk.

6. To develop, prepare, and propose the Presbytery's budget and to supervise the receipt and distribution of funds.

7. To consider and act upon all proposals by non-profit groups for appeals for monies or the solicitation of funds within the bounds of Presbytery.

8. In fulfillment of the requirements of G_9.0801, to nominate for election by Presbytery the members of Presbytery's Nominating Committee.

9. To fill, on a temporary basis between meetings of the Presbytery, vacancies that occur in the agencies of the Presbytery.

10. To administer the Presbytery endowment funds and to recommend to Presbytery appropriate uses for such funds.

11. To plan for new church development and to make recommendations to Presbytery for specific new churches. Council may appoint a committee to review the demographic and other data and consult with neighboring congregations in developing strategies for new church development.

B-5.0600, MEETINGS

The Council shall hold at least three stated meetings annually. Notice of Council Meeting shall be mailed at least 15 days before the date of each meeting. A quorum shall consist of two ministers and two elders.

 

B-5.0700, VOTING BY MAIL

Council votes may be taken by mail, email, or telephone when authorized by prior vote of the Council.

B-6.0100, STANDING COMMITTEES

The members of the Standing Committees shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee for election by Presbytery. All committee terms shall be for three years unless otherwise noted. Members of the Standing Committees shall be ineligible to serve more than two consecutive terms or consecutive portions of terms. The term of a member who replaces another member whose term has not expired shall be for the remainder of the term. The chair of the committee shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee for election by Presbytery. All committees may co-opt additional persons as advisory members without vote. The quorum of any committee shall be a majority of the elected members, except where the Form of Government provides otherwise. Committees of Presbytery may vote on issues properly before them by telephone conference, video conference, email chat room, or any other method which allows for an opportunity for committee members to share in a contemporaneous discussion prior to any vote.

B-6.0101, Committee on Representation

A Committee on Representation shall be elected in conformity with G_9.0105. It shall consist of six members apportioned equally among three classes. The powers of this committee shall be those described in G_9.0105, 11.0103d, and 11.0302.

B-6.0102, Committee on Ministry

A Committee on Ministry shall be elected in conformity with G_11.0501. It shall consist of twelve members apportioned equally among three classes. The powers of this committee shall be those described in G_11.0502, including those specifically described in G-11.0502h, and in G-14.0502, plus the following:

1. Continuing Education of ministers.

2. Encouraging and supporting lay ministry.

3. Monitoring ecumenical relations in parish structures.

4. Evaluating parish realignment and parish strategies.

5. Appointing Stated Supplies.

B-6.0102b, Voting by Mail (Deleted in April 2006, see B-6.0100)

 

B-6.0103, Committee on Preparation for Ministry

A Committee on Preparation For Ministry shall be elected. It shall consist of nine members apportioned equally among three classes. The powers of this committee shall be those described in G_14.0300. In addition it shall supervise the preparation of commissioned/certified lay pastors and have authority to approve use of funds for seminary interns and shall be responsible for their supervision.

B-6.0104, Nominating Committee

A Nominating Committee shall be elected in conformity with G_9.0800. It shall consist of nine members apportioned equally among three classes. The powers of this committee shall be those described in G_9.0800. The committee may recommend members to ministry teams.

B-6.0105, Committee on Leadership Development (Deleted in April 2006)

 

B-6.0106, Committee on Social Concerns (Deleted in April 2006)

B-6.0107, Committee on Mission Advocacy (Deleted in April 2006)

 

B-6.0108, Committee on Session Records (Deleted in April 2006)

 

B-6.0108a, Temporary Members (Deleted in April 2006)

 

B-6.0109, Youth Connection Council (Deleted in April 2006)

 

B-6.0110, Committee on Higher Education (deleted at October 3-4, 2003, meeting of Presbytery. See B-5.0300, Council - Responsibility)

B-6.0111, Committee on Self-Development of People

A Committee on Self-Development of People (SDOP) shall be elected, whose membership shall be at least 50% racial ethnic and 75% Presbyterian. The Chair of this committee shall be Presbyterian. It shall consist of at least six members apportioned among three classes. The Executive Presbyter shall be an ex-officio member. The Committee on SDOP shall be an autonomous body within the Presbytery and shall report its decisions to Presbytery, but Presbytery does not have the authority to veto those decisions. This committee shall be accountable to the General Assembly through the national SDOP.

B-6.0111a, Purpose

The Committee on SDOP shall have the following purposes:

1. Seeking out groups of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people within the bounds of the Presbytery of the Northern Plains in order to make them aware of the opportunities that a SDOP grant could provide.

2. Evaluating and making decisions on grant requests submitted to the SDOP.

3. Receiving reports of funded groups and encouraging the continuation of the partnership that the grant established.

B-6.0112, Sexual Misconduct Response Training Committee (Deleted in April 2006)

 

B-6.0113, Chogoria Partnership Committee (Deleted in April 2006)

 

B-6.0114, Budget and Finance Committee

A Budget and Finance Committee shall be elected. It shall consist of three members. The Executive and Treasurer shall serve as ex-officio members of the committee.

B-6.0200, SPECIAL COMMITTEES OR TASK FORCES

Special committees or task forces may be appointed by the Presbytery, in areas such as Chogoria Partnership, leadership development, social concerns, mission advocacy, higher education, and youth, to carry out specific tasks, at the conclusion of which (as represented by their final report to the Presbytery) they shall cease to exist. Representatives of task forces will be welcomed with voice at Council meetings.

B-6.0300, ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSIONS

The Presbytery may appoint, as needs arise, administrative commissions to execute the matters described in G_9.0503. Such commissions shall be appointed according to the requirements of G_9.0504 and shall report as specified in G_9.0505. The quorum for such commissions shall be a majority of the members.

B-6.0400, REPRESENTATIVES TO ECUMENICAL AGENCIES

The Presbytery may appoint, as needs arise, persons to serve on task forces of ecumenical agencies. Such representatives shall be elected by Presbytery upon nomination by the Nominating Committee. Such appointees shall report to Presbytery through an existing Presbytery agency designated for this purpose at the time of the election of the appointees.

B-6.0500 MINISTRY TEAMS

To facilitate and enhance the work of the Presbytery, persons may gather themselves around an issue or area of ministry for which they have a passion and concern. As the need may be recognized, teams may be created by an individual, by Council, or Presbytery. Presbytery may appoint members of ministry teams at its discretion. Individuals may become part of a ministry team based upon their interest in the particular ministry. A ministry team shall report annually to Presbytery on their work, their membership and name of their chair. Members of ministry teams are welcomed with voice to Council and Presbytery meetings.

 

In accordance with D_5.0000, a Permanent Judicial Commission shall be elected. It shall consist of seven members with ministers and elders in numbers as nearly equal as possible. The term of office shall be six years. Any vacancy may be filled by the Presbytery at its next meeting by the election of a person for the remainder of the unexpired term. There shall be three classes of members, one of which shall be elected two years after the preceding class has been elected. No person who has served on the Permanent Judicial Commission for a full term of six years shall be eligible for re-election. The Moderator, Stated Clerk, or any member of the Presbytery Staff shall not serve on the Permanent Judicial Commission. The powers and procedures of the Permanent Judicial Commission shall be specified in D-5.0000.

In the event that the need for either a Committee of Counsel (D-6.0302) or an Investigating Committee (D-10.0201) rises in the interim between meetings of Presbytery, the Moderator and Stated Clerk, acting jointly, are authorized to appoint either of these committees. Should either the Moderator or the Stated Clerk be a party to the issue creating the need for the appointment, the other shall make the appointment acting jointly with the chairperson of Presbytery Council. One of the members of either of these committees should be a trial lawyer.

AREAS OF MINISTRY

To facilitate the work and mission of the Presbytery, each church may be assigned to a geographical area. Churches within a particular area may choose to meet together to promote and encourage ministries of mutual interest. Areas in which churches choose to cooperate in program or mission activities shall report at last annually to the presbytery council through those persons from area churches serving on the Council. Areas choosing to engage in program or mission activities may organize in any way which facilitates those activities so long as such organization is consistent with the principles of Presbyterian polity.

RESIGNATION FROM OFFICE

B-10.0100, RESIGNATIONS

Any person elected to an office, who is or becomes unable to perform the duties of that office, shall submit a resignation in writing to the Stated Clerk, who shall present the resignation to the Presbytery at its next Stated Meeting for consideration. Members of Presbytery agencies who move outside the bounds of Presbytery will automatically, as of the date of such a move, be considered to have resigned from any Presbytery office held. When a member of a committee fails to perform the duties to which they were elected for a period of one year, the chair of the committee shall inform the Stated Clerk who shall report it to the Presbytery as a vacancy.

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the Presbytery in all cases which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), these Bylaws, and any special rules of order the Presbytery may adopt.

AMENDMENTS

Click here for print friendly version of the Bylaws of the Presbytery of the Northern Plains.