The Presbytery of Ohio Valley of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Ruling Elder for Preaching and Pastoral Care

Congregation:	      					Ruling Elder: 
Beginning Date: 					Ending Date: 
This agreement shall be for no more than twelve months at a time, but may be renewed. 
It may be terminated earlier by either party giving the other at least 30 days’ notice. 

Responsibilities of the Ruling Elder:
•	Preach and lead Sunday worship (except as mutually agreed upon)
•	Offer pastoral care at the request of session to those hospitalized and others with special needs
•	Conduct special services as designated by Session (including funerals as requested)
•	Pray with and for the congregation
Responsibilities of the Session:
•	Support and pray for the Ruling Elder in his/her/their ministry
•	Initiate requests for pastoral care services 
•	Provide regular financial compensation according to the terms listed below

TERMS (all services shall include mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate):
	Preaching & Worship Leadership:  $125 per service ($40 for an additional worship service on same day)
	For limited pastoral care responsibilities:
		$ 30 per hour for pastoral services such as hospital or nursing home visits. 
		$125 for officiating at a funeral or memorial service.       
	Other:    

This agreement is between a Ruling Elder and a Session in the Presbytery of Ohio Valley. For the duration of this agreement, the Ruling Elder shall be accountable to the session and to the presbytery through its committee on ministry (COM). Ruling Elders not commissioned by the presbytery are not authorized to celebrate the sacraments, officiate weddings, or moderate session or congregational meetings. In order to be considered for service, the Ruling Elder must
•	be a member in good standing of a congregation in the presbytery other than the congregation being served
•	have entered the educational process for commissioning to pastoral service through the Committee on Preparation for Ministry OR have completed the educational process and kept up-to-date with continuing education requirements (It is possible, but not guaranteed, that such person may then be commissioned for pastoral service in this congregation).
•	have successfully completed a criminal background check and any other screening required by the COM
•	attend COM-approved boundary training and other training required by the COM
•	be willing to work with a mentor assigned by the COM

Ruling Elder: _____________________________________________	Date _________________
Clerk of Session: __________________________________________	Date _________________
Moderator of Session:  _____________________________________	Date _________________
The above agreement has been reviewed and approved by the Committee on Ministry.
Moderator, Committee on Ministry ___________________________________	Date __________________
Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Ohio Valley ________________________________	Date __________________
Keep a copy of this agreement for your records 
Send signed original to Presbytery of Ohio Valley + 1701 E 2nd Street + Suite 100 + Bloomington, IN 47401