Clerk of SessionWhat in the world have I gotten myself into?

Welcome to the world of

Decentlyand

In Order

The Book of Order

•G-9.0201 Officers

•G-9.0201a and b Moderator

•G-9.0203a and b Clerk

OfficersModerator:

*Possesses the authority necessary for preserving order and for conducting efficiently the business of the governing body.

Clerk of Session:

*Shall be an elder elected by the session for such a term as it may determine.

*Shall record the transactions of the governing body, keep its roles of membership and attendance, preserve its records carefully, and furnish extracts from them when required by another governing body of the church.

Clerk of Session

•“keeps the minutes of the meetings, •maintains the roll of the entire church, •prepares progress reports for the higher

governing bodies, •encourages the faithful performance of

committee duties, and • is, in general, the uniting bond for the

entire work of the Session.”The Ruling Elder, Boyd McAfee

Keeping Records

•Minutes of Session•Rolls of the Church•Registers•Annual Statistical Report

Minutes of Session(G.10.0300) should include:

•Stated or Called•Time and place•Quorum present and who presided•Names of Elders present and others

attending•Meeting was opened and closed with

prayer•Approval of past minutes•Account of business transacted•Signature of the Clerk and Moderator

Important Information that needs to be included in the minutes:

• Full names of members received and the manner of reception,

• Names of members dismissed,• Baptisms, deaths, members placed on inactive,• Full proceedings in judicial cases,• Election of commissioners to Presbytery,• Record of Session minutes examination• Statistical report• Record of election, examination, and installation

of Elders and deacons,• Record the examination of Minutes of Board of

Deacons and examination of Treasurers’ books,• The calling of the Congregational meetings.

You do not need to record everything said, or motions that are not approved.

Minutes are a record of what was done and decisions made.

The minutes of the Session are a legal document of the corporation, and an important historical record.

Rolls

•Active Members’ G.10.0302a(2)•Baptized Members’ G.10.0302a(1)•Inactive Members’ G.10.302a(3)•Affiliate Members’ G.10.302a(4)

The Session shall keep complete registers of:•Marriages•Baptisms•Elders•Deacons•Pastors

Annual Statistical ReportEvery year,

congregations have to report to the presbytery valuable statistical information. This information is used by the presbytery and General Assembly to help stay in touch with the statistical pulse of the congregation and denomination.

Official Correspondence of the Church

•Certificates of Transfer

•Resolutions•Official Documents – of the Session and Congregation.