Shepherding

Shepherding Committee

The Shepherding Committee exists to care for the pastors, elders and congregations of Illiana Presbytery. Its work is pastoral, not judicial: it comes alongside churches and ministers to encourage, counsel and pray (SR 9).

Who Serves

Members are elected by the presbytery under the general committee rules. Because of the nature of this work, men chosen for this committee should be mature and experienced in ministry. The committee ordinarily meets four weeks before each stated meeting.

Caring for Pastors

• Meets each year with every Teaching Elder in the presbytery, including those without a call and those serving outside the presbytery's bounds

• Oversees the annual reports required of ministers serving out of bounds (BCO 8-7)

• Encourages regional pastoral cohorts where pastors and elders meet for mutual encouragement and growth

Caring for Congregations

• Meets each year with every church session in the presbytery

• Reports to the presbytery on the ministry, preaching, programs, prayer requests and praises of several churches at each meeting; church officers may give these reports themselves

• Is available to help resolve interpersonal conflicts within churches of the presbytery

Women's and Youth Ministry

• Provides oversight for the presbytery's women's ministry

• Plans and develops presbytery youth camps and retreats

Discipleship and Education

• Coordinates the work of the PCA's Committee on Discipleship Ministries as it relates to the presbytery

• Helps local congregations develop discipleship programs

• Promotes Covenant College and Covenant Theological Seminary to potential students, as those schools remain faithful to the constitution of the PCA