Presbytery of Tampa Bay

Model By-Laws and Statistical Reports....

The new Form of Government is now in effect!  One key ingredient is churches need to adopt policies and bylaws.  We are working on gathering models for you, but for now, click here for one provided by the General Assembly. 

To help you in your work in the local church, you will find a growing list of questions asked by Clerks of Session, by Elders or members.  Click the link to go the pdf with the answer you need.  If you have a question not listed, email the Stated Clerk!

Topic #1:  The Roles of Clerk of Session and Treasurer

Question:  How are we to understand the roles of Session Clerk and Church Treasurer?

The Clerk Answers: Click here.

Topic #2:  Removing Children from the Baptized Roll

Questions:  1.     When parents are removed from the rolls because they transferred to another church, should baptized children be removed from the baptismal roll since they are transferred as well?

2.  When parents are removed from the rolls for reasons other than by certificate of transfer, should baptized children be removed from the baptismal roll?

3.  Am I correct when I read in the book of Order, that when a person on the baptismal roll is make a member of the church, the name is removed from the baptismal rol land moved to the active member roll?

4.  Are there any other scenarios of which I should be aware?

The Clerk Answers: Click here.

Topic #3:  Can Elders Perform Weddings?

Question:  Can Elders perform weddings?  How would you interpret ‘elders’ in this Florida statute?

Florida Statute  741.07  --  Persons authorized to solemnize matrimony.

(1) All regularly ordained ministers of the gospel or elders in communion with some church, or other ordained clergy, and all judicial officers, including retired judicial officers, clerks of the circuit courts, and notaries public of this state may solemnize the rights of matrimonial contract, under the regulations prescribed by law. Nothing in this section shall make invalid a marriage which was solemnized by any member of the clergy, or as otherwise provided by law prior to July 1, 1978.

The Clerk Answers: Click here.