Friends,

 

Think back to when you were first ordained. No matter when that was, the PCUSA is changing fast enough that for all of us the organizational structure of the church looks somewhat different. A few of us may have been ordained before the structural shift in the 1970’s when there were small presbyteries, many of which had no staff except for a stated clerk who might or might not have been remunerated.

 

We have since become accustomed to presbyteries that were created in order to be big enough to afford a full-time, professional executive to coordinate and, in some ways, oversee the work of Presbyterians within a certain geography. That is a world that is fading away in many parts of the country.

What will the PCUSA look like in 10 years? No one seems to know, except that most could agree that it will not be organized for mission and ministry in the same way that it is now.

 

Who has the best view of what is happening both at the denominational level and at the local congregational level? Those of us who spend our days in middle governing body ministry have a pretty good view of both.

In order to capitalize on that unique place in the system, the steering committee of AEPS is recommending a radical change in our organization. Instead of serving as a support group for those who serve in executive roles in presbyteries, the recommendation is that we form a learning community to benefit the whole church as we ride the wave of the change of structure in the church. As you look at the attached bylaws, you will see that all middle governing bodies will be asked to join this learning community by paying dues and then sending at least one representative to an annual event at which we will spend time together in pursuit of God’s direction moving forward.

There will be time at the annual meeting of AEPS in Minneapolis to talk about this document and its implications. For now, think about the possibilities of setting a new course for our work and worship together and our encouragement of one another and the whole church as we bring hope into peoples’ lives by responding to the good news in Jesus Christ.

 

Susan D. Krummel

General Presbyter

Presbytery of Great Rivers

www.greatriverspby.org

 

 

 

AEPS -- PURPOSE  We believe God gathers middle governing body  leaders who are at the church’s fulcrum point, and who serve as  connectors between congregations and the larger church,   to be a learning community that resources and supports both each other and the church as a whole. Through scripture, prayer and dialogue we seek to discern a way forward amid the pressing issues and opportunities of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This community offers its unique perspective to the church in order to challenge and inspire us to a more faithful and fervent witness to our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Pre- Annual Meeting Letter and proposed By-law Changes

(Note: By-laws can be viewed by scrolling below, and as a .doc attachment below.)

September 23, 2009

Dear Members of the association,

Last year at our annual meeting we had a good conversation about our name, purpose and future as an association. Over this past year an aeps work-group has been looking at who and why we are. Attached and below are the proposed new by-laws that have come out of their work. The steering committee met yesterday and approved sending these changes to you [the changes are in red]. We thank Sue Krummel, Sam Roberson, Cass Shaw, Tom Evans, Betty Meadows, Paul Hooker, and Sue Collier who have been part of this work-group. Sue has written some introductory comments below. Also, attached is our schedule. On behalf of the leadership team and steering committee, we are looking forward to our time of learning, fellowship, support, encouragement, laughter, and conversation in Minneapolis.

Grace and Peace,

Graham Hart
President, Association of Executive Presbyters

Betty Meadows
President-Elect

------------------------------------

By-Laws

 

SECTION 1 – NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be THE ASSOCIATION OF EXECUTIVE PRESBYTERS.

 

SECTION 2 – PURPOSE 

We believe God gathers middle governing body  leaders who are at the church’s fulcrum point, and who serve as  connectors between congregations and the larger church,   to be a learning community that resources and supports both each other and the church as a whole. Through scripture, prayer and dialogue we seek to discern a way forward amid the pressing issues and opportunities of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This community offers its unique perspective to the church in order to challenge and inspire us to a more faithful and fervent witness to our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

SECTION 3 – ATTENDANCE AND MEMBERSHIP

 

Attendance at meetings of AEPS will be open to one person (or two or more in the case of co-executives) from each middle governing body of the PCUSA which has joined the organization by paying annual dues and indicating interest in membership. The attendee(s) will be designated by the middle governing body and should be a person in leadership, either employed or voluntary, in that governing body.

 

SECTION 4 – OFFICERS

 

The Officers of this organization shall be a President, President Elect, and Secretary/Treasurer.  The officers shall be elected by those attending the annual meeting.

 

THE PRESIDENT shall preside at all meetings of the association and shall chair the Steering Committee.  The President shall be elected for a one-year term.

 

THE PRESIDENT ELECT shall be elected for a one-year term and shall serve on the Steering Committee.  The President Elect shall normally succeed to the office of President.  The President Elect shall serve as the Vice President of the Organization and shall carry out any and all duties of the President if the President shall be unable to fulfill the duties of office.

 

THE SECRETARY/TREASURER shall be elected for a three-year term, shall serve on the Steering Committee, shall keep the minutes and official records of the Association, shall be the custodian of the funds for the Association, shall receive the dues, shall keep a record of the membership and shall pay the lawful obligations of the Association.

 

SECTION 5 – THE STEERING COMMITTEE

 

The Steering Committee shall be composed of the elected officers, the Immediate Past President, plus four members elected for three-year terms from the membership.They shall be eligible for a second three-year term. No one shall serve a combination of years as an officer or a member of the Steering Committee for more than six consecutive years.  The Immediate Past President shall serve a one-year term on the Steering Committee the year immediately following his/her term in office.  The Steering Committee shall guide the affairs of the Association between meetings.  All actions of the Steering Committee shall be subject to the review and/or approval of the membership at the annual meeting.

 

SECTION 6 – NOMINATION OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE; OFFICERS;le: normal;">

At each annual meeting of the Association a representative Nominating Committee shall propose nominees for all available positions to be elected at that meeting.  The Nominating Committee shall be composed of the immediate Past President [who shall convene the group] and three members at large nominated by the Steering Committeeand elected by those in attendance.  The representatives shall be elected at each annual meeting and shall serve for one year. 

 

The Nominating Committee shall, in as much as possible, assure that there is geographic diversity represented among the nominees.

 

SECTION 7 – ELECTIONS

 

At each annual meeting there shall be an election to fill all vacancies of officers and members of the Steering Committee, as well as the members of:

·          The Executive Presbyter Support and Continuing Education Team [6 members - President, Immediate Past-President, and 4 members in rotating classes];

·          The Presbytery Leader Formation Coordinating Team [6 members - President-elect, a member of the Steering Committee, and 4 members in rotating classes];

·          The MGB-GAMC Advisory Board 5 members -- President, President-elect; and 3 members in rotating classes].

·         Note: The Executive Presbyter Support and Continuing Education Team,  The Presbytery Leader Formation Coordinating Team, and The MGB-GAMC Advisory Board shall be eligible for a second three-year term. No one shall serve for more than six consecutive years.   The Nominating Committee shall place in nomination its nominations.  Nominations from the floor shall always be in order, providing the person has previously secured the permission of the person he/she wishes to nominate.  All of those in attendance representing member middle governing bodies shall be eligible to vote.  A majority of votes cast shall be necessary for election.  Those elected shall assume office at the conclusion of the meeting which elected them and shall serve until their successors are elected. 

SECTION 8 – DUES

 

The dues for this Association shall be established by a majority vote of those present and voting at any Annual Meeting.  The dues shall be in effect until changed by a vote of the membership.

 

SECTION 9 – AMENDMENTS

 

These By-Laws may be amended at any meeting by majority provided text is provided ten [10] days prior.

 

 

AEPS BY-LAWS

Revised 11-24-1991

Revised 11-20-1994

Revised 11-20-1998

Revised 9-28-2008

Revised 10-5-2009