If you are here you must either be a commissioner to the next presbytery meeting or confused about what you experienced at the last meeting. This page is a way to introduce you to the people and the way the meeting happens.

People you will see up front are:

The Moderator: an elder or clergy person elected by the Presbytery for a one year term to conduct the meeting fairly and in a timely manner.

The Stated Clerk: an elder or clergy person elected by the Presbytery for a three year term to be a resource for Book of Order and Robert's Rules requirements and to keep the official record of actions taken.

Committee Chairs: Clergy or Lay persons elected by their committees who will be giving reports and bringing to the presbytery motions for action made by respective committees. They many invite other special guests or members to share in the report.

Who may speak and vote:

Minister members of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, Elder Commissioners elected by their sessions, Elders who are elected to Council or serve as Chairs of Committees, Certified Christian Educators ordained as Elders, elected staff of the Presbytery.

Who may speak:

Church Educators, Corresponding Members of other presbyteries who request the privilege of the floor.

To be recognized to speak just go from your seat to a microphone, after you are recognized by the Moderator identify yourself, remember you are addressing questions to the Moderator. Don't hesitate to ask questions or speak about an issue.

The Docket begins with worship as we focus ourselves on Jesus Christ, who calls us together as his church.

First Items for business are those that require action by the presbytery: motions from committees, amendment to the Book of Order, election of staff members, election of commissioners to General Assembly and Synod.

Next we will hear an hour presentation from a nationally known speaker on a topic of general interest to the church.

Lunch is provided for a nominal fee by the host congregation.

Once a year the program committees and boards of the presbytery present their report relating past activities and future plans. These are followed by brief announcements.

The meeting adjourns with prayer.

Return to Presbytery of Tampa Bay Home Page.

Email Us