Frequently Asked Questions
A: 2008 per capita
| Presbytery of Lake Michigan |
$13.75 |
|
Synod of the Covenant |
$ 3.13 |
| General Assembly |
$ 5.79 |
| Total |
$22.67 |
Q:
What are the recommended percentages for shared mission distribution?
A: 2008 recommendations
| Presbytery of Lake Michigan |
56% |
|
Synod of the Covenant |
6% |
| General Assembly |
38% |
A: Presbytery meeting dates
| Saturday, January 12, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - Okemos |
| Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - Lansing Delta |
| Tuesday, June 10, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - Cadillac |
| September 16-17, 2008 - Miracle Camp, Lawton |
Saturday, November 8, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - Jackson
First
(note change in location) |
A: Leadership Team meetings are at the Presbytery office the fourth Thursday of
the month at 5 p.m.
| February 2 (retreat at St. Francis) |
July 10 |
|
February 28 |
August 28 |
| March 27 |
September 25 |
| April 24 |
October 23 |
| May 22 |
November 20 |
A:
Presbytery Packet
Due Dates |
|
Congregational
Connection
Due Dates |
|
February 15 |
|
Spring Issue -
February 1
(Administration) |
| May 16 |
|
Summer Issue: May 1
(Outreach) |
| August 22 |
|
Fall Issue:
August 1
(Discipleship) |
| October 17 |
|
Winter Issue: November 1
(Shepherding) |
| December 15 |
|
|
Click here, to submit
information.
Q: What is the IRS standard mileage rate?
A: Beginning January 1, 2008, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car
(including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
-
50.5 cents per mile for business miles driven;
-
19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and
-
14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
Q/A: You may have noticed on your shared mission commitment
form that an opportunity is given for your church to add an amount of money to
be directed to Theological Education Fund. Questions about this can be directed
to Rev. Dick Jackson 269.668.5422, rdmsjackson@prodigy.net
.
Q: Why do we need to fund theological seminaries on a denomination-wide
basis?
A: One of the continuing strengths of the Presbyterian Church is a
competent ministry, well-educated in the Reformed Tradition. Our seminaries
provide pastors, educators, missionaries and chaplains for the work of
Christ's church. They also offer continuing education programs for those
seeking on-going renewal of spirit and competence for ministry. By sharing
together in financial support of our theological schools, we affirm our
church's historic roots and assure leadership for our church in the years to
come.
Q: How does the Theological Education Fund work?
A: Each congregation makes a voluntary contribution of 1% of their local
operating budget (all monies expended for current operation of congregations
as reported in the General Assembly Minutes, Statistical Reports, Part II,
Line 25.) Some churches are not able to begin at a full 1% and adopt more
modest goals, such as one-fourth or one-half of 1% and set a goal to increase
that percentage each year until full 1% participation is achieved. This gift
to the Theological Education Fund is the congregation's proportionate share
for the education of present and future ministers and church educators.
Q: How can our congregation afford to participate in the Theological
Education Fund (1% Plan) when our budget is already tight?
A: The session proposes the budget, based on priorities set for your
congregation's work and witness to the gospel. The congregation can begin with
a commitment of less than 1%. Even a small contribution to the TEF is an
important investment in the development of future leaders for your
congregation and the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Q: Which seminaries are supported by the Theological Education Fund?
A: Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Columbia Theological Seminary
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
McCormick Theological Seminary
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary
San Francisco Theological Seminary
Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education
Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico
Printer-friendly handout on this fund
Q: What do the Special Offerings support?
A: There are four Churchwide special offerings in the calendar year:
Clip Art
|
Offering Name
(click on the name to get more info)
|
What it Supports
|
When
|
|
|
One Great Hour of
Sharing Offering
|
- Presbyterian Hunger Program
- Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
- Self-Development of People
|
Palm or
Easter Sunday |
 |
Pentecost Offering
|
- Children, youth and young adults
- Worldwide youth ministry and education
- Evangelism and outreach with youth
- Youth at risk
|
May |
 |
Peacemaking Offering |
- peacemaking efforts at congregational level
- peacemaking efforts at presbytery and synod level
- Presbyterian Peacemaking Program of the General Assembly
|
October |
 |
Christmas Joy Offering |
- eight racial ethnic schools
- PC(USA) Board of Pensions assistance programs
|
December
|
|
Intentional
Mission
