Here are some of the questions we are asked most frequently about our denomination and the way we do things. Just click on the arrow to the right of the question and you will be taken to the answer. If you still have questions after reading our FAQ's, please contact the Providence Presbytery office by
EMail, or give us a call at 803-328-6269.
Click the arrow to the right of each question to view the answer
What grants, or other financial helps are available for our congregation?
Grants are available from a variety of sources. The following web sites will give you more information and application details.
Mustard Seed Grants – Congregations of Providence Presbytery which have been designated as Targeted Church Developments are eligible to receive these matching grants to help fund new evangelistic ministries to reach out to new residents. Contact
Dot Killian for information.
Foundations – Many foundations offer grants to churches. A listing of South Carolina foundations can be found online, go to “Indexes”, click on “foundation Program Interest”, go to “church”
Church Financial Campaign Service provides a wide array of services to empower congregations to secure financial commitments from and deepen the stewardship awareness of their faith community.
What resources are available to our congregation?
Providence Presbytery Resource Center provides books, audio/visuals, magazines and audio/visual equipment for borrowing and rent. Click here for more information.
Synod of South Atlantic Audio Visual Regional Resource Center provides audio/visual resources for a small fee. Churches in Providence Presbytery with under 100 members can get resources free.
The General Assembly web site has many resources available. Click on "resources". Some resources are downloadable, others can be ordered for a fee.
Lay School of Theology - The five presbyteries of South Carolina sponsor an opportunity for in depth theological and biblical study each spring and fall. They are held a White Oak Conference Center in Fairfield County. Contact
Mark Verdery for information.
How do we get a consultant to help our congregation?
Providence Presbytery has a network of consultants available to assist congregations in many ministry areas including: children's ministry, conflict management, curriculum, education, evangelism, financial administration, mission/vision discernment, officer training, program design, stewardship, worship, youth ministry, others. There is a negotiable fee. For more information contact
Kathryn McGregor.
What support is available for ministers, educators, and other church professionals?
Presbytery staff is always available to counsel, advise and support ministers, educators, musicians, youth directors, administrative staff and others who work for the church. They will assist you in setting up needed support networks or groups. A number of such groups are already available.
Rehobeth Groups are small study groups available for ministers and educators of Providence Presbytery. These groups meet with a facilitator for a year. They are funded through a Lilly Foundation grant. Contact
Mark Verdery for details.
Continuing Education Events for ministers and educators are held twice a year in the spring and fall at Bethelwoods, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Outstanding leaders from colleges and seminaries are brought in to lead these events.
Ministers and Educators Spring Retreat is an opportunity for continuing education, rest, and networking with other ministers and educators of Providence Presbytery. Contact
Mark Verdery
Ministers and Educators Fall Retreat is an opportunity for continuing education, rest, and networking with other ministers and educators from the presbyteries in South Carolina. It is held at White Oak Conference Center in Fairfield County. Contact
Mark Verdery.
Educator Gatherings are held the 2nd Thursday of September, November, January, March, and May at the presbytery office, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Topics of interest are discussed and resources shared. Lunch is served. Contact
Kathryn McGregor
The Board of Pensions offers many services and emergency assistance to church professionals.
Our pastor is leaving to go to another church. What do we do?
We Presbyterians have always prided ourselves in doing things "decently and in order" - and a change in pastoral leadership for a congregation is no exception. This is also a time when we realize and give thanks that we are a connectional church. You will be guided and supported every step of the way by Presbytery through its Committee on Ministry. The Committee on Ministry has a process in place that will enable you to move through this time of transition smoothly and intentionally, and you will be a stronger congregation as a result.
For a step by step summary of the process, click here.
For more information, contact your General Presbyter / Stated Clerk, Mark Verdery, at
Mark Verdery or the moderator of the Committee on Ministry listed in the Presbytery Directory.
How do I become a Presbyterian minister, Christian educator, or lay pastor?
If you are considering becoming a Minister of the Word and Sacrament
Speak with your pastor and share with her/him your sense of call.
Contact the Rev. David Bender, Moderator of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, at
David Bender or at 803-328-1360. He will be glad to meet with you and go over the process you will need to follow. There are three basic phases to this process:
Pre-Inquiry Phase
Inquiry Phase
Candidacy Phase
A helpful resource, Manual for Preparation for Ministry, is available online.
If you are considering becoming a Christian Educator
Speak with your pastor and share with her/him your sense of call.
Call the Presbytery Office (328-6269 or 1-800-922-1609) and ask to speak with Kathryn McGregor, Associate for Education & Resourcing. She will be glad to meet with you and go over the process you need to follow. A helpful resource, Calling to Educational Ministry, is available online.
If you are considering becoming a Lay Pastor
Speak with your pastor and share with her/him your sense of call.
Contact your General Presbytery/Stated Clerk, Mark Verdery, by
E-Mail or at 1-800-922-1609/328-6269). He will be happy to share with you the process you must follow to become a lay pastor in Providence Presbytery.
A helpful resource, "Behold, We Are Doing a New Thing - Commissioned Lay Pastors in the Presbyterian Church", is available online.
Our church is experiencing conflict. Is there someone who can help us?
Yes! Your Presbytery's Committee on Ministry is ready and willing to assist churches that find themselves experiencing conflict. All churches experience conflict from time to time. When conflict occurs, it is often helpful for someone from outside the particular congregation to come and help those involved in the conflict seek resolution, reconciliation, and healing.
The Book of Order states that the Committee on Ministry "shall serve as an instrument of presbytery for promoting the peace and harmony of the churches, especially in regard to matters arising out of the relations between ministers and churches. Its purpose shall be to mediate difference and reconcile persons, to the end that the difficulties may be corrected by the session of the church if possible, that the welfare of the particular church may be strengthened, that the unity of the body of Christ may be made manifest." [Book of Order, G-11.0502(i)]
The Committee on Ministry seeks to empower sessions to be healing agents in churches experiencing conflict. A resource that may be helpful to your church at a time of conflict is "Seeking to be Faithful Together: Guidelines for Presbyterians During Times of Conflict." Click here to download a copy of this resource.
For more information on how the Presbytery, through its Committee on Ministry, can assist your church in conflict management, please contact
Mark Verdery by EMail or call the Presbytery Office at 1-800-922-1609 or 803-328-6262.
