Shared ministry model of engagement
The Shared Ministry Program provides dues subsidies for benefits when two or more congregations desire to work together to call full-time pastoral leadership. A departure from the traditional ministry model, this program helps ministry flourish and sustains it for the long term.
Presbyteries and congregations can follow this sample model in discerning and establishing a shared ministry. Church Consultants are available to answer questions about the process.
| Step 1 | Review the following to familiarize yourself with the process:
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| Step 2 | Identify congregations in the presbytery that are possible candidates for the Shared Ministry Program. |
| Step 3 | Reach out to your
Church Consultant to discuss the program. |
| Step 4 | Create a process that leaders of potential partnering congregations can review, so they can separately decide if they’d like to consider a shared ministry. |
| Step 5 | Reach out to the pastor and the sessions of the proposed congregations to start the conversation. |
| Step 6 | If the congregations would like to continue, have the leaders of both meet and facilitate a discussion using this
list of considerations. |
| Step 7 | Review the
Shared Ministry Covenant and
Shared Ministry Registration Form with the congregational leaders. |
| Step 8 | Each congregation decides on the terms of call for their portion of the partnership. |
| Step 9 | Each session will approve their terms of call in collaboration with the Committee on Ministry from their presbytery. |
| Step 10 |
Each congregation signs the covenant and the registration form and sends them to the Board of Pensions. |
| Step 11 |
Celebrate this shared ministry and its promise of a vital and flourishing ministry. |