Committees
“Presbyters are not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ.”
– Book of Order F-3.0204
Meeting Resources
Recommend Someone For Service
The Presbytery organizes its life and work through committees and councils. If you are interested in serving, or know of someone who would be, let us know.
Leadership Council
Rev. Dr. Wendy Neff, Committee Chair
The Leadership Council helps guide the Presbytery of East Tennessee through a season of transition and visioning. The Council oversees the presbytery’s ongoing work, supports committees and teams, and helps discern what is essential as we look toward the future.
Working collaboratively with the Visioning Task Force, the Council seeks to listen, discern, and imagine new ways to equip our congregations for faithful ministry and mission as communities of faith, hope, and witness.
Committee On Ministry
Rev. Matt Nieman, Committee Chair
The Committee on Ministry has the authority of the Presbytery to find in order calls issued by churches, to approve and present calls for services of ministers, to approve the examination of ministers transferring from other presbyteries, to dissolve the pastoral relationship in cases where the congregation and pastor concur, to grant permission to labor within or outside the bounds of the Presbytery, and to dismiss ministers to other presbyteries, with the provision that all such actions shall be reported to the next stated meeting of the Presbytery. They also appoint moderators of the session for churches without an installed pastor.
Committee On Preparation For Ministry
Rev. Dr. Richard Coble, Committee Chair
The Committee on Preparation for Ministry has oversight of all inquirers and candidates under the care of the presbytery. It makes recommendations to the presbytery concerning the reception and care of inquirers and candidates. The Committee maintains communication with all inquirers and candidates throughout the year. It meets at least annually with each inquirer and candidate to learn more about their progress towards becoming an ordained minister of the PC(USA).
Nominating
Rev. Chad Wright-Pittman, Committee Chair
The Nominating Committee works to find and nominate the ministers and ruling elders to fill the committees of the Presbytery, and to nominate commissioners to the Synod and General Assembly.
Outdoor Ministry
Rev. Jon Faraone, Committee Chair
The Outdoor Ministry Committee maintains and operates John Knox Center for Outdoor Christian Education for the churches of the Presbytery of East Tennessee. They are responsible for the summer camping program, facilities for retreats and conferences, and leadership support for all areas of Outdoor Ministry approved and directed by the Presbytery.
Permanent Judicial Commission
Brian Child, Commission Chair
The Permanent Judicial Commission shall consist of nine members of the Presbytery, nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Presbytery to serve a term of six years. Elections shall be arranged such that three new members shall be added each even-numbered year. No two members of the commission may be from the same congregation. Officers and staff of the Presbytery are not eligible to serve on the Commission. The Permanent Judicial Commission will meet in stated meeting early in even-numbered years. Called meetings of the Commission will be held as needed. Six members shall constitute a quorum. The responsibilities of the Permanent Judicial Commission will conform to the Rules of Discipline.