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The Ministry Support Committee (Community of Witness) encompasses all of the presbytery’s ministerial services.


Here you will find information relating to ministerial services. To find our mission & advocacy page, click here.

Ministry Support Committee

Moderator & 20 members who are divided, as needed, into two sub-committees.


Community On Ministry

Ministerial Services Subcommittee
15 members
Rev. Paul Smith & Rev. Dr. Matt Rich – Co-Moderators

Staff: Rev. Dr. Steve Lindsley, Executive Presbyter; Rev. Dr. David Bender, Stated Clerk

Class of 2026 Term Class of 2027 Term Class of 2028 Term
Rev. Paul Smith (Wade - Old Waxhaw) Rev. Christina Trimble (Honorably Retired) 2 Rev. Dr. Derek Marotta (Bethesda Y) 2
Spratt White (Unity) Rev. James Platt (Honorably Retired) 2 Rev. Steve Simon (HR) 1
Rev. Carson Montgomery (Van Wyck) Rev. Marty Simmons (Grace L) 2 Rev. Dr. Jeff Brian (Oakland Avenue) 1
Rev. Dr. David Leininger (Liberty Hill) 1 Shirnetha Belk (First Lancaster) 2 Doug Macdonald (Liberty Hill) 1
Mike Conn (Tirzah Y) 1 Rev. Dr. Matt Rich (Unity) 1

Salary Studies Team

Community On Preparation For Ministry Subcommittee
Six members
Rev. Megan Watson – Moderator

Staff: Rev. Dr. Steve Lindsley, Executive Presbyter; Rev. Dr. David Bender, Stated Clerk

Class of 2026 Term Class of 2027 Term Class of 2028 Term
Rev. Megan Watson (Member-At-Large) Keith McGuire (Oakland Avenue) Ronnie Byrd (Grace L) 2
Phil Neely (First Lancaster) Robert Pender (First Rock Hill)

Community On Preparation For Ministry

Ministerial Services Subcommittee
Six members
Rev. Dr. John White – Moderator

Staff: Rev. Dr. Steve Lindsley, Executive Presbyter; Rev. Dr. David Bender, Stated Clerk

Class of 2026 Term Class of 2027 Term Class of 2028 Term
Robbin Ingram (Douglas) 1 S. Max Russell (Woodlawn) 1 Rev. Letarshia Robinson (Oakland Avenue) 2
Rev. Nick Setzer (First - York) 1 Rev. Dr. John White (Beth-Shiloh) 1 Sue Williams (Oakland Avenue) 2 Sue Williams (Oakland Avenue)

Updated 3/16/26

Committee On Ministry

Forms

This section includes all the important forms relating to Commissioned Ruling Elders (CRE), covenant agreements and forms & procedures for calling ministers.

Commissioned Ruling Elders (CRE)

CRE Training & Commissioning Process

When the presbytery, in consultation with the session or other responsible committee, determines that its strategy for mission requires it, the presbytery may authorize a ruling elder.

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CRE Service of Commissioning

The Order of Worship for the Commissioning Service is provided for ministry within a congregation; ministry outside a congregation; or delegates to a council.

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CRE Supervisory Guideline Questionnaire

This questionnaire is designed to help Certified Ruling Elders and their Supervisors identify potential areas of concern and opportunities for growth and health in ministry.

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