How we are structured...

Part of being Presbyterian means that our pastors, directors, and staff work collaboratively with the Session of the church, a group of elders who serve as the organization’s governing body. Here, then, is one of the first and perhaps most obvious ways that Presbyterian structure differs from, say, a church that is congregational in its governance:  In our polity, the congregation elects godly men and women to watch over the affairs of the church in a way that is compatible with Scripture, the witness and work of the Holy Spirit, and what the Church universal has believed at all times and in all places.

Since 2004, the Session has been working through a series of studies and retreat workshops designed to help us to be a thriving, intergenerational faith community. In February, 2006, the Session voted to adopt a reorganization plan that would align the ministries and activities of our church around basic, core principles. In part, the plan also encourages and strengthens collaboration between ministries and leaders. The core principles reflect the conviction that Worship is at the center of who we are and what we are to be about as a church. Surrounding and flowing out of worship are the core tasks of Outreach, Spiritual Formation, and Community Care. The new structure also reflects the belief that Stewardship, whether through Finance, Human Resources, or Buildings and Grounds, are all fundamental supports to a thriving church.

The model that we use to represent the structure is an ancient Christian symbol, the Triquetra and Circle, which represents the Holy Trinity and the eternal, unchanging nature of our Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (see above).

Each of the areas inside the Triquetra and Circle represent a commission of elders (with the exception that all three of the Stewardship areas combine to form one commission). We don’t see the commissions as separate, though: They interconnect and are dependent upon one another. For example, while Worship is, appropriately, at the center of our organization, it is interwoven with the other areas of our church: Outreach, Community Care, and Spiritual Formation all flow out of and are fueled by our encounter with the Living Christ in worship.

The newest, and perhaps the most forward-looking, part of the plan was the creation of the “Compass,” a small, collaborative group of pastoral staff and elders. The elders are elected semi-annually from within the Session and serve specific, limited terms alongside the pastoral staff. The group, as its name suggests, serves as a compass for our congregation. Its purpose is to make recommendations to the Session about the church’s vision, goals, priorities and resource allocation. Its work takes direction and inspiration from God's word, our church's mission statement, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Session will review Compass recommendations, make changes as it sees fit, and implement appropriate actions to authoritatively lead the church.

One final item of interest: Would you like to read the booklet that we developed at FOPC for elder orientation? Click on the link just below:

Download our Elder Orientation Booklet by clicking the PDF Icon. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file.