Specialized Ministry Guidelines

Specialized Ministry Guidelines

A ministry beyond the jurisdiction of the church may be classified as a validated ministry of the Pittsburgh Presbytery when it meets the following criteria:

  1. It is consistent with the mission of the Pittsburgh Presbytery in that it exhibits our core value of working in partnership with other congregations and organizations in the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ
  2. It is theologically faithful to God’s Word.
  3. It has, within the scope of its ministry, the promotion of at least one of the Great Ends of the Church (F-1.0304):
    • Proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind;
    • The shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God;
    • The maintenance of divine worship;
    • The preservation of the truth;
    • The promotion of social righteousness;
    • The exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.
  4. It is accountable to the Pittsburgh Presbytery in that the person engaged in this ministry agrees that their Specialized Ministry shall be subject to annual review and renewal by the Commission on Ministry of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, and ratified by the Presbytery at large at an appropriately scheduled Presbytery meeting.
  5.  It is accountable to an organization, board, etc. that provides oversight and supervision on an ongoing and regular basis.
  6. The person engaged in this Specialized Ministry agrees to participate in the deliberation and work of the Pittsburgh Presbytery.
  7. The person engaged in this Specialized Ministry continues to affirm the ordination vows.
  8. The ministry makes active and effective use of the biblical and theological training that is required for ordination.
  9. The person involved in validated ministry shall participate in the worship of a local congregation.