Five Key Attributes of the POA
Below are five (5) attributes that ministers and churches in the Presbytery of the Alleghenies (“POA”) should intentionally aspire to and for which the POA will establish resources to encourage and assist churches in developing a more intentional approach.
Evangelical
Addressed by the current minister and session exams. Other things that may be addressed:
- Does the leadership intentionally develop and equip other leaders from the congregation?
- Is evangelism integrated into other ministry programs/activity?
Presbyterian
We will encourage RE involvement by individual churches at stated meetings and on the various committees and commissions. Each church is expected to be involved in a ministry network – either based on geography or affinity. Churches could share in or jointly accomplish such things as:
- Officer training
- Shared missions
- Joint church planting
- Collective retreats (men’s, women’s, students, etc.)
- Shared VBS
- Joint community outreach (e.g. service projects)
Reformed
Addressed by the current minister and session exams.
Other things that may be addressed:
- What is the ongoing process for vetting and training church officers
- How well does the congregation understand the basics of reformed theology
Missional
Fundamental attributes of the EPC and of the Presbytery of the Alleghenies:
- “… planted by God in its own community to effectively reach those around them …”
- “… continually in the process of equipping its members to be missionaries sent by God…”
- “… constantly re-examining itself as to whether it is merely doing maintenance of existing ministries and members, or whether or not it is effectively doing the mission of reaching its own community…”
Other things that may be addressed:
- What ministries has your church intentionally designed and implemented to reach lost people in your neighboring communities? What results have you seen from those ministries?
- In terms of expanding the kingdom of God, what hope or dream do you have for your church? What plans do you have to move that dream toward reality?
- How do you develop and deploy disciples into meaningful outreach?
- In what ways could you see your church being involved in church planting?
Vital
Things that may be addressed:
- Does your church have a clearly defined vision/mission that is well known by both leadership and membership?
- How does your actual ministry align with your church’s vision/mission?
- What is the process by which you evaluate ministry effectiveness?
- What is the role of personal and corporate prayer in your church?
- How much of your ministry energy (financial, talent, programming, etc.) is invested in ministry beyond your congregation?
- Is your church culture conducive to change when and where needed?
- Is the minister seen as an effective leader and teacher?
- Does the leadership deal effectively with conflict and strive to maintain unity in the church?