Washington Presbytery
GRACIOUS DISCERNMENT POLICY
Approved November 10, 2015

INTRODUCTION
While affirming our essential unity as the body of Christ, it is recognized that there are times when a discernment for the need of separation becomes an imperative of conscience either for an individual or a congregation. Therefore, it is prudent to establish principles for discussion of separation and any potential action before they become necessary. In this way a decision-making process that remains faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ and our common bond in Him is affirmed. 
The difficulty of these issues and our responsibility, whether in agreement or disagreement, to act and to treat one another in a Christian manner that honors our God is acknowledged.  Difficult decisions of conscience may need to be made, but they must not be allowed to be driven by selfishness, by a struggle for power, or by vindictiveness.  In agreement or disagreement, we must seek the good of God's Kingdom and follow the example of Jesus in setting the interests of others above our own.
Additionally, individuals, congregations, and the Presbytery should be given the opportunity to discuss and prayerfully consider options without fear of sanction or punitive action. Care should be taken in such discussions to ensure that all voices are heard, and that historic decisions are made cautiously and deliberately and result from seeking prayerful guidance.
While tangible issues of property and assets enter into any real consideration of requests for dismissal, it is affirmed that we are stewards of God's resources intended to be used for His honor and glory.  Consequently, while the constitutional principle of church property "held in trust" is noted, neither the property nor its seizure should be a focal point in the discernment process. 
The intent of this document is to delineate a process that is fair, clear, and easily understood.  While final decisions concerning requests for dismissal must be made by the Presbytery, these guidelines will be helpful to all parties concerned and will encourage openness and trust as they seek the will of Christ together.
										
PROCESS

When the session of a particular congregation votes to present its membership with a request for a discernment inquiry, the clerk of session should immediately notify in writing the Stated Clerk of Washington Presbytery. The matter will be referred to the Committee on Ministry which will investigate and make an initial determination about whether an Administrative Commission will be named or whether the church is given permission to consider entering the discernment process. A determination of "true church" status will be made by the Presbytery upon recommendation of the Committee on Ministry.  G4.0207

After the Committee on Ministry grants permission to consider entering into a discernment process, the session shall call a congregational meeting to determine whether the church should enter the discernment process. At this meeting representatives of the session and the Presbytery in equal numbers will speak to the issues. The regular bylaws will govern the meeting. A simple majority of those present and voting must support entering into this process. Upon receipt of written intent, the Presbytery will invite the session to enter into a mandatory covenant with the Presbytery for the purpose of prayerful discernment. Under the covenant the session will commit to scheduling a congregational meeting for consideration of dismissal between six months and a year after the date of the first congregational meeting. The Presbytery, through the Presbytery Council, will appoint a team of presbyters (to be known as the Pastoral Team) to represent the Presbytery and to work alongside the session in consideration of any action.  Together, the session and the Pastoral Team will engage in mutual and shared prayer, seeking God's guidance and direction.
Should the session decide to enter the covenant relationship, its responsibilities will include the following:
1.	The development of a plan of mission, describing what will be the  church's ministry outside of Washington Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (USA) should the congregation choose to withdraw from the Presbytery.
2.	Commitment to an open process of congregational discernment in which minority voices are heard and respected.
3.	The development of a plan to minister to any minority constituency after the congregational vote is taken.
4.	Determination of the number of active members for the final congregational meeting will be established on the date of the first congregational meeting. Any members who were removed within one year prior to the date of the first congregational meeting, except for death or request, will be restored to the active role. No new member shall be added for the remainder of the discernment process.
The session will be encouraged to invite members of the Pastoral Team to address their regular meetings and to join them in prayer. The Pastoral Team will be appointed by the Presbytery Council with Presbytery staff (General Presbyter and/or Stated Clerk) serving as "ex officio" (voice, but no vote). Every effort will be made to assemble a team that is perceived as fair.
While representing the Presbytery for prayer, information, and advice, the team is not an administrative commission. It has no authority to take any action regarding the property held in trust, pastoral leadership, session membership, or the moderator of the session.
The responsibilities of the Pastoral Team will include the following:
1.	Praying for and with the session and congregation.
2.	Providing an open channel of communication with Presbytery bodies, including Presbytery Council, the Committee on Ministry, Ecclesiastical Affairs, and the Trustees
3.	Identifying and recanting predetermined outcomes according to our own will, emptying ourselves of our own ego, and opening ourselves to discern God's voice and will together
4.	Advocating Biblical principles of church unity and reconciliation, Reformed principles of connection in Christ, and participation in the Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The session will invite members of the Pastoral Team to attend the congregational meeting at which dismissal is considered. The moderator of the congregational meeting will offer team members and Presbytery leaders the opportunity to speak on a balanced basis. The congregational meeting to consider dismissal will be conducted according to the Book of Order.  All active members of the congregation will be encouraged to attend and to participate in the meeting. Inactive members should also be invited to participate in the meeting, but they must be informed that they will not be allowed to vote. 
If the discernment process fails to reach a conclusion after one year, the session will petition the Committee on Ministry for permission to call a congregational meeting to seek an extension for an additional year of discernment. If the Committee on Ministry grants permission to consider extending the discernment process, the session shall call a congregational meeting to determine whether the church should continue the discernment process for one year. The regular bylaws will govern the meeting. A simple majority of those present and voting must support extending the process. The rules regarding the rolls of active members specified for the initial congregational meeting shall continue during this extended period.  										
GUIDELINES
When the congregation considers the question of requesting dismissal, it should be understood and communicated clearly that responsibility for the division, dismissal, or dissolution of churches lies with the Presbytery, "in consultation with their members." It is also the responsibility of the Presbytery to develop strategy for the mission and witness of the church in this geographic region.
As a result, any final decision on a request for dismissal or dissolution must be taken by Washington Presbytery as a whole. Without abdicating its constitutional responsibility, Washington Presbytery designates a Pastoral Team in order to work cooperatively with a local church considering a request for dismissal. This Team will report to the Presbytery and may recommend action on any congregational vote to request dismissal with church property.
In order for the Presbytery Pastoral Team to consider supporting such a request, these guidelines should be followed:
1.	The covenant between the session and the Presbytery, committing each to prayerful 
reflection and fair and open discussion, must be kept.
2.	Any congregational meeting to vote on a request for dismissal must be scheduled to provide sufficient time for deliberate reflection, education, and participation by all active members of the congregation.									
3.	With the scheduling of the congregational meeting, a letter from the Pastoral Team will be sent to the active membership of the congregation introducing the Team and explaining the discernment process.						
4.	While the quorum for congregational meetings is set by the Book of Order and by the bylaws of the particular congregation, the Presbytery expects that a goal of fifty (50) percent of the active membership will participate in the meeting.  In order for the active members to feel free to act based upon conscience, a written ballot for voting will be used.
5.	The tally of the vote will be attested to by the congregation and the Pastoral Team.
6.	Requests for dismissal to another church body must specify a denomination or governing 
body in the Reformed tradition.
7.	There must be a plan of mission in place for the continuation of the work of Jesus Christ in the geographical area of the congregation.
8.	There must be a plan to support any substantial group voting in the minority that desires to continue local ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
9.	At least seventy-five (75) percent of the active members voting must be in favor of dismissal.  If the vote passes but with a majority of less than seventy-five percent, the Presbytery Pastoral Team will not recommend support for dismissal to Presbytery. If a majority of seventy-five percent or greater votes to seek dismissal, the Presbytery Pastoral Team will recommend consideration of dismissal of the congregation with the property "held in trust."  This recommendation will be made based upon resolution of any outstanding debts and dedicated endowments and will include all property, real and personal, without financial encumbrances.
If these guidelines are fulfilled, the Presbytery Pastoral Team will support and recommend the proposed request to Washington Presbytery. The Pastoral Team will seek to make a unanimous recommendation in regard to the fulfillment of "spirit" and "letter" of this process. The Pastoral Team's vote will be reported with their recommendations to the Presbytery				
The final decision on a request for dismissal by a congregation, the continuing ministry of the Presbyterian Church in that region, and the divestment of any property "held in trust" will be made by Washington Presbytery at a properly announced meeting. At that meeting representatives of the congregation will be given opportunity to explain their request, and members of the Pastoral Team will make their recommendations. Any decision will be made by Washington Presbytery based upon its understanding and commitment to the ministry of Jesus Christ expressed through the Presbyterian Church.