Congregation Forms and Documents
Incorporation of POJ Churches
Incorporation Procedures and Considerations (PDF, 2 MB)
January 2021
Review this to understand which set below to use for a particular organization structure
Set 1: Churches with Session Members as Trustees
- Articles of Incorporation (DOC, 68 KB)
- By-Laws (DOC, 81 KB)
- Consent Form (PDF, 78 KB)
SET 2: Churches with Elected Trustees Separate from the Session
- Articles of Incorporation (DOC, 69 KB)
- By-Laws (DOC, 82 KB)
- Consent Form (PDF, 78 KB)
SET 3: Churches Granted Exception with Session Members as Trustees
- Articles of Incorporation (DOC, 69 KB)
- By-Laws (DOC, 81 KB)
- Consent Form (PDF, 78 KB)
SET 4: Churches Granted Exception with Elected Trustees Separate from the Session
- Articles of Incorporation (DOC, 69 KB)
- By-Laws (DOC, 81 KB)
- Consent Form (PDF, 74 KB)
Session Forms and Documents
Session Manual of Administrative Operations
Session Records
- Clerks Index Sheet (DOC) due March 1 to your reader
- Guidance for Clerks of Session (DOC)
- Contact Franklin Reding to learn the name of the reader assigned to your church
Clerk of Session Training Materials
- Training session (recorded April 26, 2020)
- Handbook (PDF, 440 KB)
Sample Covenant Agreements
- Interim Pastor Covenant
- Covenant Pastor Agreement
- Covenant Postgraduate Intern Agreement
- Parish Associate Covenant
- Covenant Commissioned Ruling Elder
Sample Misconduct Policies
Presbytery Forms and Documents
Manual of Administrative Operations
Application to Form a New Ministry
Expense Reports
Small Church Grant Program
- Overview
- Application (PDF)
Small Church Website Grant Program
Committee on Preparation for Ministry
- Guide to the Preparation Process
- Inquiry Application
- Annual Consultation
- Candidacy Application
- Bible Content Exam
- Senior Ordination Exams
Committee on Nominations
- Nomination Form for 2022 General Assembly
- Nomination Procedure for Commissioners and Alternates to General Assembly
- Nomination Form (other positions)
Financial Reports (Audit)
- 2019 Financial Report (PDF, 451 KB)
- 2018 Financial Report
Misconduct/Harassment Policy
Position on Gun Violence
Congregational Meetings and Ordinations during Pandemic (Sept 2020)
Commission on Ministry
COM Guidelines for Calling a New Pastor
A - Co-Op Member Services
C - Guidelines for Shared Pastoral Leadership
D - Relation of Former Teaching Elders to Congregations
E - Intern Policy
F - Transferring PC(USA) Teaching Elders into POJ
G - Transferring Teaching Elders from Other
H - Procedures for Examination
I - Ordination and Installation Commission Guidelines
J - Expectations for Faithfulness
K - Pastoral Care Discretionary Fund Policy
L - 2023 Minimum Compensation Criteria
M - Minister Membership Policy
M-1 Member at Large Policy
N - Call to Ministry Beyond the Congregation
O - Task Sheet
P - Use of Study Leave
Q - Sabbatical Leave Guidelines
S - Evangelist
T - Parish Associate Policy
U - Full Communion Policy
W - Listening Teams for Conflicted Churches
X - Ordination to Temporary Pastoral Relationships
Y - Commissioned Pastor in Presbytery of the James
Z- Guidance to Congregations on Severance
Annual Report - Validated Outside Congregation
Annual Report - Certified Christian Educators
Annual Report - Members at Large
Annual Report - Terms of Call
Spiritual and Service Parishes
A Last Gift for My Family and Friends (final details planning guide)
General Assembly Forms and Documents
Book of Order 2019-2021 (external link)
Book of Confessions 2016 (external link)
Summary of Actions from 225th General Assembly (2022) (external link)
The 225th General Assembly (2022) proposed changes in the language of the Book of Order that, if approved, will amend the Constitution. Presbyteries will submit their affirmative or negative votes on these proposed changes by July 2023. The Book of Amendments is available for review in English, Korean, and Spanish.