PURPOSE

The role of Stated Clerk is provided for by the Constitution to assist the Presbytery in achieving its mission by guiding, communicating, maintaining, and preserving the ecclesiastical business of the Presbytery within the spirit and letter of the Constitution and governing documents of NWC Presbytery.

RESPONSIBILITIES

To promote through your ministry the mission of NWC Presbytery which is “to engage, equip and encourage congregations and their leaders, dispersed yet connected throughout the region, as together we faithfully serve Jesus Christ to transform the world.”

1) Constitutional Responsibilities: The Stated Clerk shall perform all the requirements of the Stated Clerk described in the Constitution of the PC(USA).

2) Presbytery Responsibilities: The Stated Clerk shall perform all of the requirements of the Stated Clerk described in the Standing Rules and Administrative Manual of Northwest Coast Presbytery including, but not limited to carrying out processes approved by the Executive Board to review and make recommendations with regard to overtures to the PC(USA) Constitution, conduct the annual review of session records, annual review of ministers, and compile the annual General Assembly statistical report.

3) Shall serve as the parliamentarian of the Presbytery and provide advisory opinions and Constitutional process guidance regarding the meaning of the provisions of the Constitution and Presbytery governing documents to the Presbytery and its various entities.

4) Train new Clerks of Session and advise on polity matters

5) Shall carry out all other responsibilities assigned by Executive Board/EP, which are reasonable within the part-time status and consistent with the role of the Stated Clerk.

6) May carry out other responsibilities requested by Permanent Judicial Commission, Nominating Committee, and/or Commission on Preparation for Ministry which are reasonable within the part-time status and consistent with the role of Stated Clerk as negotiated with the committee moderator and/or the Executive Presbyter.

7) Confer with Presbytery attorneys on investigations and PJC cases, liability issues, engaging an attorney as counsel for Prosecuting Committees as needed, and advising attorneys on our polity in the Rules of Discipline as compared to civil law.

8) Attend relevant conferences such as Mid-Council Leaders Orientation, General Assembly, Polity Conferences etc.

OTHER

1) Attend weekly Northwest Coast Presbytery staff meetings and meet as needed with Executive Presbyter.

2) Collaborate closely with our Executive Presbyter in the spirit of teamwork.

3) Apply a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens in this work and be continually educating and resourcing oneself and others in this approach.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Healthy and vital embodied faith, spiritual maturity

• Organized, dependable, detail-oriented

• Strong knowledge and practice of the polity of the PC(USA)

• Personal commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism

• A Teaching Elder or Ruling Elder in the PC(USA)

• Serves with energy, intelligence, imagination and love

• Emotional intelligence, self-differentiation, healthy boundaries, resilience

• Ability to navigate conflict with clarity and professionalism

• Effective interpersonal and public communicator

• Tech-savvy

ACCOUNTABILITY/TERMS

This a 20 hour a week part-time position with a remote office. The Stated Clerk is elected by the Presbytery; accountable to the Presbytery through the Executive Board (EB) and Personnel Committee of the EB. As provided by the PC(USA) Book of Order, as Stated Clerk can exercise their own conscience in constitutional interpretation and judgments free from direction and influence.

The Stated Clerk serves a 3-year term renewable every three years following a comprehensive review and evaluation at least every three years prior to the possibility of being re-nominated for an additional 3-year term.

Salary is $35000 annually and benefits will be negotiated in alignment with the NWC Presbytery personnel policies.

Reimbursables: Travel expense reimbursement and hospitality reimbursement for all travel and service related to this role. Professional expenses for any resources needed to engage this role and remote office set-up as needed.

NORTHWEST COAST PRESBYTERY

Northwest Coast Presbytery is a regional expression of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in NW Washington, Eastern Washington and SE Alaska. Comprised of 58 congregations, several new expressions of the church, over 120 minister members, and partners we engage, equip and encourage congregations and their leaders, dispersed yet connected throughout the region, as together we faithfully serve Jesus Christ to transform the world.