What Are Clusters?

The Presbytery of Ohio Valley is divided into geographic clusters of congregations. Clusters are sacred relational centers for accountability and responsibility and will form the heart of the presbytery’s life and missional activity. The clusters will function much as smaller presbyteries did in the past, serving as close neighbors who band together for mutual support and fellowship and who strengthen one another’s ministries and mission and share gifts and resources with one another. There are currently six clusters.

Clusters will have some required functions (see responsibilities listed below), but each cluster will develop a unique personality, style, and mission to fulfill its vision and carry out its work. Much of the purpose of the clusters will be done in informal gatherings or events. Required functions will be carried out in formal meetings (see below).

 

Cluster Vision

Guided by the vision of the presbytery the clusters come together regularly to:

  • develop and empower leadership;
  • encourage and develop gift oriented mission and ministry;
  • nurture passionate spirituality and offer joint Christian education events;
  • develop and maintain functional structures for their clusters;
  • provide opportunities for inspiring worship, prayer, and theological discussion and discernment;
  • develop small groups that minister to whole persons (Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Men, youth, older adult ministries, or other groups with particular mission or ministry interests);
  • initiate/coordinate evangelism, church planting, and congregational transformation;
  • foster loving relationships.

Cluster Gatherings

Gatherings to fulfill the vision of the cluster shall be held at least quarterly and will be announced widely throughout the cluster so that all may have opportunity to attend.

 

Cluster Responsibilities

Each cluster shall express the ministry of the greater Presbytery community and shall:

  • provide primary pastoral and supportive care to congregations and clergy within its area;
  • aid in the assimilation of new pastors into the life of POV;
  • order its life together to provide for required meetings and leadership;
  • provide session minutes and record review guided by the Stated Clerk;
  • work with the Committee on Ministry, Nominating, the Leadership Institute, and other commissions and committees that are developed for the good of the whole Presbytery;
  • nominate one elder and one minister to POV Nominating Committee to serve on Council;
  • involve entire congregational communities in the life of the cluster.
  • Each cluster has the responsibility to establish and communicate an equitable way to determine who may vote at cluster meetings.

Cluster Meetings

Each cluster shall hold a formal meeting at least annually to conduct business required of the cluster. This business includes, but is not limited to:

  • election of cluster leadership;
  • nomination of one elder and one minister to the POV Nominating Committee to serve on Council;
  • other business as may properly belong to the cluster.

Notice of time, place, and purpose of meetings shall be sent to pastors and church offices within the cluster for inclusion in church bulletins at least two Sundays prior to the meeting. Notice shall also be sent to the Stated Clerk and the presbytery office.

 

Cluster Leadership

Each cluster will elect at minimum a Convener and a Communicator. Clusters may, at their discretion, have a leadership team that includes the functions of the Convener and Communicator. The leadership from all clusters will meet together three or four times a year. This group will be convened by the Vice Moderator of the Presbytery and these gatherings may happen at Assembly. The purpose of these meetings will be to build relationships, to strengthen communication, to share ideas, and to learn from each other effective ways to fulfill their roles and the mission of the clusters.

 

Conveners and communicators shall have gifts and commitment to:

  • support the mission and vision of the Presbytery and the PC(USA);
  • delegate tasks and authority, knowing the expectations of their positions;
  • work collaboratively;
  • be spiritually mature, compassionate, motivated, and able to motivate others;
  • attend cluster leadership meetings three to four times a year.

 

Conveners will:

  • schedule cluster meetings,
  • plan the agenda,
  • ensure leadership for each meeting.

 

Communicators will:

  • keep information flowing to their congregations through various media;
  • communicate with other clusters and presbytery entities (including the presbytery office, committees, and work groups);
  • stay connected with the other cluster communicators, sharing events and other information;
  • be computer literate and knowledgeable with email and web (in relation to the Presbytery website).
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