Presbytery Guidelines

Per BCO 5-9A, it is the responsibility of the Presbytery to set “prerequisites” for mission churches seeking to particularize.

Also, in accordance with the Standing 8.2.d & 8.2.g of Illiana Presbytery, the MIssions Committee is responsible for examining mission churches seeking to particularize.

To that end, the Missions Committee of Illiana Presbytery sets the following guidelines to assess the health and readiness of a mission church for the work of organizing as a particular church.

1.       Per SR 8.2.d, The mission church shall have a minimum of two duly elected (see BCO 5-9D) resident, trained, ruling elders. They shall be ordained or ready to be ordained. (A subcommittee of MC, acting as a commission of presbytery shall examine the officers prior to particularization).

2.       The mission church shall be financially independent as evidenced by:

a.       The ability to pay all bills of the church, including but not limited to the care of a pastor AND provide a place to meet for regular Lord’s Day worship

b.       A temporary budget shall be prepared showing the church’s income and expenses for the prior year and plans for the coming year. The budgeted income shall consist only of internal giving and shall not be overly dependent on one member family.

3.       The mission church petitioning to particularize shall consist of no fewer than 10 household units, totaling at least 30 resident communing members. 80% of those members shall be required to sign the petition.

4.       The Session of the mission church shall have a plan to call a pastor, should the planting or organizing pastor not desire to stay as pastor after particularization.