COVENANT OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN PRESBYTERIAN MEN
AND THE CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES DIVISION (CMD)PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
I.
In affirmation and recognition of:
- the fact that God created humanity in the image
of God, male and female they were created;
- our historic Presbyterian commitment to educating
men and women for ministry;
- our historic Presbyterian commitment to gender-specific
programming; and
- the significant role that Presbyterian Men, or
its predecessor organizations, have played in responding
to the call of Christ through the Church to fulfill the Great
Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
This document describes a covenant, not a contract, it is based
on relationships and trust with specific responsibilities for
all parties. It is agreed each partner will assume sole responsibility
for its own actions and the creation and signing of this covenant
does not hold either party legally liable for the actions of
the other.
History of Presbyterian Men
In 1895 the first mandate for a ministry with
men came from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America. Presbyterian Men can trace their roots back
to 1906-1907 with three major men's groups: The Presbyterian Brotherhood
(PCUSA), the Men's Missionary League (UPNA), and the Layman's Missionary
Movement (PCUS). In 1923, Northern church men's work began in congregations
and presbyteries. In 1932, the General Assembly of the PCUS declared men's
work as "men working in the church." In 1948, the PCUSA set up the National
Council of Presbyterian Men and UPNA reorganized men's work. Both thrived
before merging in 1972 into United Presbyterian Men. In 1949, the PCUS
set up a Division of Men's Work which thrived for twenty years.
Reorganization in 1972 abolished it from the General Assembly structure.
In 1982, several PCUS synods worked together to hold a convention in Atlanta,
Georgia, and established the Men of the Church Council. In 1984, the Men of
the Church Council and the United Presbyterian Men merged into a new National
Council of Presbyterian Men, with each synod sending a representative to serve
on the National Council and the National Board. In 1997, the National
Council of Presbyterian Men restructured to streamline its administration in
an attempt to work closer with synods, presbyteries and congregations. The
National Council of Presbyterian Men continues to hold annual Council meetings,
plan and coordinate men's assemblies, assist with the development of resources
for men's ministries, and promote the use of denominational resources for men's
ministry for use by all men's groups throughout the Presbyterian Church (USA).
In 2002 the National Council of Presbyterian Men, Inc. were incorporated in
the state of Wisconsin and received a federal tax exemption under section 501(c) (3) from the IRS.
The Congregational Ministries Division relates to the General Assembly
Council of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Among the responsibilities assigned to it are leader
and resource development in the Church's ministry with men until realignment in 2005. This
was carried out through the Church Leader Support team in the Christian Education and Leader
Development program area with financial assistance to Presbyterian Men and staff support
through the Church Leader Support team.
Presbyterian Men remains a strong arm of the total program for Men's Ministries.
Purpose of Presbyterian Men
The Mission of Presbyterian Men is to lead men into a vital relationship with Jesus Christ
and to assist them in their spiritual, personal and community development
The goals of Presbyterian Men are as follows:
- to develop their understanding of the mission of the Church and to assist congregations in nurturing men of the church to mature discipleship;
- to encourage men through their commitment to Christ, to fulfill the ministry to which men are called in their families, in their daily work, in their ministry to other people and in the community and world;
- to involve men of various racial and ethnic backgrounds and men of different ages.
II.
In covenant with CMD, Presbyterian Men will:
A. Seek to strengthen and expand the participation of men in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
B. Provide support in every synod and presbytery in the development and growth of men's ministries.
C. Hold annual meetings of the National Council of Presbyterian Men, Inc.
D. Hold a national gathering for men throughout the church at least triennially.
E.Produce electronically the quarterly "Presbyterian Men in Action" newsletter. (www.presbyterianmen.org)
F.Prepare an annual report of its activities to the Congregational Ministries Division.
G. Support and promote the use of materials prepared by the Presbyterian Church (USA).
H. Maintain an effective men's ministry and institute a financial program with the goal of being "self sufficient".
I. Maintain a Presbyterian Men's office in Louisville with a cadre of volunteers.
J. Maintain a current "Manual of the Executive Board of NCPM, Inc." to handle the matters formerly accomplished by Louisville staff.
K. Maintain a website (www.presbyterianmen.org)
III.
In covenant with Presbyterian Men, the Congregational Ministries Division will:
Provide support to Presbyterian Men, such as:
A. advocate for the role of Presbyterian Men at events such as the meeting of the General Assembly and through the "Men of the Church Emphasis Day" (the third Sunday in June),
B. maintain liaison with the Executive Board of Presbyterian Men,
C. provide support for, and attend the annual meetings of, the Executive Board and the National Council of Presbyterian Men, Inc.,
D. engage the assistance of Presbyterian Men in development and promotion of resources throughout the Presbyterian Church (USA),
E. provide space and support for volunteers in the Louisville office,
F. provide Louisville address for Presbyterian Men and set up a lock box to handle charter, Churchman of the Year, and other financial items, as well as gifts and donations that come for Presbyterian Men. Handle the transfer of papers to registrar designated by Executive Board of NCPM, Inc. and transfers to specified banks on a regular basis.
G. promote a Presbyterian Men's web site (www.presbyterianmen.org) in cooperation with the publicity Committee of NCPM, Inc.
IV
This covenant, as here written, shall become effective with ratification by the
Executive Board of the National Council of Presbyterian Men, Inc. and the Congregational Ministries
Division Committee of the General Assembly Council. When approved, this covenant shall be signed and
dated by the National President of Presbyterian Men, Inc. and the Chair of the Congregational Ministries Division Committee
of the General Assembly Council. A copy of the signed document shall be maintained by each entity.
It is understood that nothing in this statement shall conflict with the Bylaws
of the Presbyterian Men, Inc., with the policies of the Congregational Ministries Division Committee of
the General Assembly Council, or the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The covenant shall be reviewed every other year, or at anytime upon the request
of either party, and amended if necessary.
Revised February 2006
