Resources for Discernment

• • Practicing Discernment: A Resource for Leaders – 4 page pamphlet outlining why and how to begin the practice of discernment.(.pdf)

For Churches and COM

• • Board of Pensions Dues Cost Calculator for 2025
  • Presbytery Minimum Terms of Call Policy
  • 2026 Illinois Prairie Minimums for Ministers of Word and Sacrament
  • 2026 Illinois Prairie Minimums for Commissioned Pastors
  • Illinois Prairie Presbytery Pastoral Call Form – Without Manse (PDF) (Word doc)
  • Illinois Prairie Presbytery Pastoral Call Form – With Manse (PDF) (Word doc)
  • Covenant for Temporary Supply, Interim, and Commissioned Pastoral Relationships (Word docx) (revised 2/2025)
  • Remuneration Schedule for Session Moderators
  • Policies and Procedures for Dissolution of Pastoral Relationships
  • Family Leave Policy 
  • Minimum Sick Day Policy for Pastors

For Ministry Preparation (Minister of Word and Sacrament- MWS)(Commissioned Pastor – CP)

• • MWS: Blackhawk CPM Handbook for Inquirers and Candidates
  • MWS: Forms used in the Preparation for Ministry process 
  • CP: Manual for Commissioned Pastors
  • CP: Application for Certification Program for Commissioned Pastor (Form CP 1A) 
  • CP: Applicant – Letter of Recommendation (Form CP 1B) 
  • CP: Applicant – Session Recommendation (Form CP 2) 
  • CP: Applicant – Questions for Annual Consultation (Form CP 3) 
  • CP: Applicant – Evaluation/Recommendation from CPM (Form CP 4) 

FOR PASTORS

• • Welcome to Blackhawk Presbytery – A guide for those who are considering a call and/or entering Blackhawk Presbytery 
  • Pastoral Statement of Professional Ethics 
  • Manual for Commissioned Pastors
  • Ordination Scholarships and Education Debt Relief 
  • Boundary Training Policy
  • Administrative Commissions for Ordination or Installation:
  • Presbytery requirements state the AC must have at least six members, evenly divided between teaching elders and ruling elders, each from a different church and at least one ecumenical member. After the minimum is met, additional people may be asked to participate.
    • Administrative Commission for Ordination/Installation Form 
    • Installation / Ordination Service Guidelines – for Planning the service 
    • Moderator’s Report: Send very short minutes to the COM of the actions taken by the AC: “The AC met on ___ at ___ church immediately prior to the installation of ___. List who was present, note that the meeting was opened and closed with prayer, and the only motion would be to ask the presbytery to dissolve the AC following the installation.”
  • Covenant of Closure for Pastors who Retire
  • Covenant of Closure for Pastors who Resign

For COM Members

• • Area Map & Church List 
  • Roles and Responsibilities for COM Members 

Resources for Churches Seeking a Pastor

• • Options for Pastoral Leadership
  • Search Process Steps for Installed Pastor
    Search Process Steps for Temporary Pastor
  • PNC Training Video
  • CLC Training Video
  • Pastoral Leadership Options – The P.L.O.E.T. (Pastoral Leadership Options Exploration Team) Final Report
  • Church Leadership Connection

Denominational Resources for COM

• • A Guide to Structuring Ministers’ Terms of Call – “Living By the Gospel” (updated 2024)
  • Advisory Handbook for Ministry Committees/Commissions (2011/2013) 
  • Understanding Effective Salary (Board of Pensions)
  • Pathways to Renewal (Board of Pensions) – offers reduced dues for churches employing young ministers

Ruling Elders and Communion

Can Ruling Elders serve Communion? 

• Elders can serve communion as long as they understand what happens at the table and is interviewed by the COM Committee prior to serving. (See training video)
• Book of Order Sections on Serving Communion
• Book of Confessions on Serving Communion
• Book of Common Worship on Serving Communion
• Presiding at the Sacraments

Resources for Sabbaticals

• Sabbatical Leave Policy
• How to write a sabbatical plan
• Tips for writing a grant request
  • The Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Grant: Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs – Christian Theological Seminary
    • Grants for up to $60,000 ($40,000 for pastors and $20,000 for congregations)
    • The grants are only available for pastors serving congregations in the fifty states and Puerto Rico, and may be available for commissioned pastors.
  • The Board of Pension of the PCUSA – Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grants:  Sabbath Sabbatical Support – The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
    • Grants of up to $5,000, with an additional possible $5,000 for travel to one’s country of origin or that of an adopted dependent.
    • Grants are limited and are only available to ministers of Word and Sacrament, including mid-council staff.
  • Interim Unified Agency – Sabbatical Grants for New Worshipping Community Leaders
    • Grants for up to $3,500 are limited to New Worshipping Community Leader
• Books
  • Clergy Renewal:  The Alban Guide to Sabbatical Planning, by Richard Bullock – This useful guide is available through Amazon and Walmart.com.