Documents

Documents of the Presbytery

Documents are here to help elders, clerk, pastors, treasurers and other members of the Presbytery. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please contact the Office Manager, Sharon Carper.

Clerk of Session
  • Manual for Clerks of Session -2018 – PDF
  • All Clerk Information & Files
    • All Clerk of Sessions files are hosted in the Presbytery Records on Google Drive. If you are a clerk of session, contact the tech manager at tech@lakemichiganpresbytery.org to gain access to that or contact your church’s teaching elder or administrative assistant for more information.
  • Congregational Minutes Review Checklist
    • 2023 Congregational Minutes Review Checklist – Word or PDF
    • 2022 Congregational Minutes Review Checklist – Word or PDF
    • 2021 Congregational Minutes Review Checklist – Word or PDF
  • Manual of Administrative Operations (G-3.0106)
    • Each congregation is required to compile certain information into a Manual of Administrative of Operations. Session members are to review the information annually and update as appropriate.
    • Developing an Administrative Operations Manual (PDF) – A description of what should be included to comply with Book of Order requirements.
  • Clerks of Session Training Request Form
    • Request time with the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan to be trained on how to be a clerk for your church’s session by filling out this form.
  • I can’t find a document, where are they?
    • If you need access to more documents, as a Clerk of Session, you should have access to the Presbytery Records to be able to find them. If you’re still having issues finding them, contact the Presbytery Office.
Nominations & Representation
    • An Overview of Our Structure – PDF
      • A summary document of the presbytery’s organizational structure. It contains the definitions being used for teams, commissions, committee and groups along with a description of the four core teams. 
      • Includes an organizational graphic of the Presbytery
    • Interested in serving in the presbytery or nominating someone?
      • Opportunities to Serve – PDF
        • This document describes the opportunities available for presbytery members to serve in leadership. The first page contains an overview summary of information while the rest of the document provides details about key teams, commissions and committees.
        • The detailed entries indicate when the group meets, what the group does, what positions are available and how those positions are filled, and ideal gifts needed by group members
      • Nominations & Representation Nominee Application/Form – Fillable PDF (then email or mail) or Google Form that will also generate a PDF and email you a copy
    • Interested in representing PLM at the 226th PC(USA) General Assembly?
      Applications now are being accepted from individuals interested in serving during the hybrid assembly which will include on-line committee meetings June 25-27, 2024 and in-person plenary meetings June 30-July 4, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The presbytery plans to elect (2) teaching elder commissioners, (2) ruling elder commissioners and (1) YAAD — plus alternates — during its September 16, 2023 Stated Meeting. Completed applications and supporting documents — including appropriate endorsements by the Session and your pastor — must be submitted via email by Friday, April 14, 2023.
      • Application for Teaching and Ruling Elder Commissioners — Fillable PDF
      • Application for Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD) — Fillable PDF 
    • Contact the N&R Committee Members – PDF
    • COR Toolbox – PDF
      • N&R uses this document as a guide
    • Interested in using pronouns within a group or congregation? 
      • Find an information sheet about why this practice is important and points to consider in implementing the practice. — Available as a full-sheet in PDF format and a half-sheet insert in PDF format.
      • Find a blog post about how the Presbytery of Lake Michigan began offering Stated Meeting participants an opportunity to identify preferred pronouns on name tags.
      • Find some general information about Why Pronouns Matter.
    Annual Reporting
    Finance and Stewardship
    Scholarship and Grant Information

     

    Pastoral Transitions

     

    Presbytery Operations
    Seeking reimbursement for an expense? 
    Seeking information about the Presbytery’s structure and programs? 
    Seeking to provide input to the Presbytery? 
    Seeking help from Presbytery staff? 

     

    Church Emergency Preparedness

    Want to stay in the Loop?

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    Next Stated Meetings

    The next regular Stated Meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2024, and will be hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo.

     Visit the Presbytery Meetings page of this website and watch the eDIGEST for updated information about how to register for the meeting and where to find the presbytery packet. Decisions about whether to gather in-person or online will be made closer to the meeting date.

    The Presbytery of Lake Michigan, 1511 Helen Avenue, Portage, MI 49002 | Copyrighted © 2022