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Our Organization

Operating Documents
The operations of the Presbytery, as well as the day to day functions of each of our churches, are goverened by the structure and rules listed in the following documents. They are often referred to as our "tertiary" standards, in that they are subject to the overarching rule of the Word of God, and are also subject to the provisions of our doctrinal statements. Within those guidelines, these documents have served us well for many years in providing a godly and stable structure in which we can serve as the body of Christ.

Orthodox Presbyterian Church Form of Government DOC PDF
Book of Discipline DOC PDF
Directory for Worship DOC PDF
Presbytery of Philadelphia Bylaws DOC PDF

Stated Meetings
The presbytery meets regularly four times each year - in February, April, September and November. The dates and other information for the 2011 & 2012 stated meetings are listed below. Documents for each meeting (the docket, communications, ministerial reports and sessional records scheduled) will be provided via hyperlinks as available..

November 19, 2011 Calvary - Glenside, PA Docket Communications Reports / Records  
February 4, 2012 Emmanuel - Wllmington, DE Docket Communications Reports / Records  
May 5, 2012 Host church needed Docket Communications Reports / Records  
September 2012 Trinity - Hatboro, PA Docket Communications Reports / Records  
November 2012 Host church needed Docket Communications Reports / Records  

Special Meetings
Any special meetings which may be called for particular purposes wiill be listed below, complete with any pertinent information and documents.

- none currently -      

Requirements for Meetings
Requests for Excused Absence: Any minister (except one who has been granted a permanent excuse) that does not attend and any session that does not send a commissioner shall be required to inform the Stated Clerk as to the reason and request an excused absence. At the meeting, the Moderator shall appoint a temporary committee of two to report to that meeting with a recommendation which requests to grant and which to deny. The minutes shall indicate those absentees whose requests for excuse have been granted as 'excused.' Those absentees whose requests for excuse are denied and those who failed to request excuse shall be indicated as 'unexcused.'

Instructions for Ministerial Reports: Ministerial Reports usually take a large part of the time in the morning. Those who are scheduled to report please take note of the time limit specified by our Bylaws, 5 minutes or less. Please heed the suggestion to submit a written report to the stated clerk before the meeting, so that the clerk may have copies printed and available at the meeting. Clerks of Session whose minutes are due to be reviewed are encouraged to send their minutes via email to the Committee on Church Visitation and Session Records.

Submission of Reports for Meetings: All reports or communications must be submitted to and received by the stated clerk (via US mail or email) no later than noon of the Wednesday immediately preceeding the meeting. This allows time for the docket to be completed, and for it and all reports to be printed and collated in time for the meeting. Any reports received after this time will not be included in the packet presented at the meeting.

If you have any other questions regarding the organization of the presbytery, please contact either the stated clerk or the assistant clerk.