SECTION #2 – LETTER ( R )
Page 1
PRESBYTERY OF CHICAGO
COMMISSION ON MINISTRY
PARISH ASSOCIATE RELATIONSHIP
A parish associate is a teaching elder who serves in some validated ministry other than
a congregation, is a member-at-large, or is retired, but who wishes to maintain a relationship
with a particular congregation in keeping with ordination to the office of teaching elder. Such
persons, already qualified as continuing members of Chicago Presbytery, may serve as parish
associates. The relation shall be established, upon nomination by the pastor, between the
parish associate, the session, and the presbytery. The parish associate shall be responsible to
the pastor, as head of staff, on an “as needed, as available” basis and with or without
remuneration.
The agreement between the session, the parish associate, and the Presbytery shall
terminate when the call to the installed pastor is dissolved. The Presbytery may dissolve the
relationship with the parish associate upon the recommendation of the Commission on Ministry.
The parish associate may not be called to serve as the next installed pastor or associate pastor
of a congregation served as parish associate.
Created 2/5/09
Revised 7/26/11
SECTION #2 – LETTER ( R )
Page 2
PRESBYTERY OF CHICAGO
COMMISSION ON MINISTRY
Parish Associate Covenant
This Covenant shall exist between the Session of _________________________
______________________________________ (Name of Church, Town), the Presbytery of
Chicago, and _______________________ _____to serve as Parish Associate for the purpose
of providing leadership to ______________________ or to assist in the specific area of:
__________________________________________________________________.
The relationship shall be established, upon nomination by the installed pastor, between
the parish associate, the session and the Presbytery of Chicago. The relationship shall begin
effective the date approved by the Presbytery of Chicago, indicated below.
The parish associate shall be responsible to the pastor, as head of staff, and shall serve
on an “as needed, as available” basis.
The Session of _____________________________Presbyterian Church in partnership with the
Commission on Ministry shall review the designation annually to insure (1) that the time and
energy required as a parish associate will not interfere unduly with the work of the person in
his/her principal role; and (2) that installed leadership of the church is protected in its effective
functioning. Any change in relationship must be approved by the Presbytery through the
Commission on Ministry.
This agreement between the session, the parish associate, and the Presbytery shall terminate
automatically when the call to the installed pastor is dissolved.
The Parish Associate may not be called to be the next installed pastor or associate pastor of
________________________ Presbyterian Church.
Responsibilities assigned to the parish associate are as follows:
____________________________________________________________________________
The parish associate will serve:
□ With out remuneration
□ With remuneration, as indicated below:
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________ __________ _____________________
(Name of Parish Associate)
(Date)
(Pastor)
______________________
(Signature of PA)
_________________ _________
(Clerk of Session)
(Date)
____________
(Date)
______________________
(Signature of Pastor)
_____________________ __________
(COM Representative)
(Date)
Created 2/5/09
Revised 7/26/11