The Synod of Lakes and Prairies,
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
2115 Cliff Dr.
Eagan, MN 55122-3327
Phone: (651) 357-1140
Toll Free: 1 (800) 328-1880
Fax: (651) 357-1141
If you are looking for something that isn’t here, please contact us! We are building this site to serve you and your ministries by sharing the best practices and resources of which we are aware.
Resources
A set of resources put together by the Presbytery of South Dakota. Here you will find tips for getting started as a new clerk, guides and resources for the day to day work you do, how to preserve historic documents for your congregation, and more. Links to the current Book of Order and Book of Confessions are also on this page.
Per Capita
Synod rate for 2023 and 2024 – $5.50
Statistical Reporting
Book of Order
Book of Order available for download at https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/boo_2023-2023_publishedversion_cover_and_boo_complete.pdf
Book of Order available for order at https://www.pcusastore.com/Products/9798988550105/book-of-order-20232025.aspx
Guide to Parliamentary Procedure
Coming Alive in Christ: Training based on the Constitutional Questions
This multi-session resource is created for study by and training of those serving as ruling elders and deacons. Based on the theological principles of the constitutional questions asked and answered in ordination, questions for discussion and reflection are included. Leader Guides are provided; one using a monthly format of one question per lesson and the other using a three-lesson format. https://equip.pcusa.org/course/view.php?id=379
This resource includes leader guides, Power Points, and PDFs of content that can be used for monthly or annual training. The Leader Guides are formatted as monthly guides and a retreat guide with three lessons to be used prior to ordination/installation.
Materials are free and accessible through the link above.
Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Blog
A monthly series for serving faithfully. Throughout 2023 and 2024, monthly Regarding Ruling Elders articles will alternate between a deep dive into the ways ruling elders discern and measure the life of a congregation through the ministry of members and stories about how ruling elders are using their call and gifts as they move within and beyond the walls of the congregation. These articles could be used for conversation and reflection at Session meetings.
You can sign up to have the series emailed to you at https://pcusa.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=1721a6b9451a1567ee53b00fc&id=f20bb9ba29
Resources for Ministry
Resources to help you include a list of resources for Ruling Elder Training, Ruling Elder Workshops, books that may be helpful, and a variety of creative resources. In the additional resources link you will find games and songs to further learning, handouts on theology and polity, councils of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and Employment Guidance for Sessions and Session Personnel Committees.
Presiding at Baptism https://oga.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/mid_council_ministries/presiding_at_baptism.pdf
Presiding at the Lord’s Supper https://oga.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/mid_council_ministries/presiding_at_the_lord_s_supper.pdf
Growing as Ruling Elders
As Christians, we are in a continuous process of growth in relationship with God, each other, and self. This is especially true of those who are called as ruling elders and deacons. The Presbyterian Church (USA) invests in ruling elders and deacons by offering new resources on a regular basis in a variety of formats.
As ruling elders and deacons serving in local congregations across the denomination, webinars give us an opportunity to gather together virtually and in the presence of other leaders who walk alongside us on this formation journey.
Recent topics have included:
For upcoming webinars and to watch previous webinars, go to https://oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/leadership-formation-ruling-elders-deacons/year-leader-formation-webinars/
Ministry in the church can be life-giving and life-changing and, in the midst of it, we all need faithful companions along the road. The second season of Along the Road – a podcast on faith and leadership for ministry leaders of the PC(USA) – is available now. Stream episodes on your favorite streaming service or get more information and listen here.
Coming Alive in Christ: Training based on the Constitutional Questions
This multi-session resource is created for study by and training of those serving as ruling elders and deacons. It is a study that will explore Reformed Theology and why we do what we do.
Based on the theological principles of the constitutional questions asked and answered in ordination, questions for discussion and reflection are included. Leader Guides are provided; one using a monthly format of one question per lesson and the other using a three-lesson format. https://equip.pcusa.org/course/view.php?id=379
This resource includes leader guides, Power Points, and PDFs of content that can be used for monthly or annual training. The Leader Guides are formatted as monthly guides and a retreat guide with three lessons to be used prior to ordination/installation.
Materials are free and accessible through the link above.
Resources
Resources from the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys:
Becoming an Active Listener
Spiritual Conversation Starters
Prayer Guide
Called to be servants: By caring for persons in need, deacons reflect the heart of Christianity
This article, a part of the What We Believe series for the Presbyterian Church (USA), discusses tasks of being a Deacon.
Growing as Deacons
As Christians, we are in a continuous process of growth in relationship with God, each other, and self. This is especially true of those who are called as ruling elders and deacons. The Presbyterian Church (USA) invests in ruling elders and deacons by offering new resources on a regular basis in a variety of formats.
As ruling elders and deacons serving in local congregations across the denomination, webinars give us an opportunity to gather together virtually and in the presence of other leaders who walk alongside us on this formation journey.
Recent topics have included:
For upcoming webinars and to watch previous webinars, go to https://oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/leadership-formation-ruling-elders-deacons/year-leader-formation-webinars/
Per Capita
2023 and 2024 Synod – $5.50
Per capita for General Assembly
Resources for Financial Matters
Webinars, Workshops and Articles
Managing Your Church’s Balance Sheet: Church leaders need an understanding of a church’s debts and assets – two major components of the balance sheet. If you don’t quite know what we’re talking about, or have questions, this is the webinar for you. You’ll hear from experts with the Presbyterian Foundation, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, and New Covenant Trust Company. We will spend time on three aspects of church finances: – Understanding your balance sheet – Appropriate levels of debt and the process for acquiring debt – Matching assets with time horizons for optimal investment returns This webinar was hosted on May 23, 2023. (Please note: We have no control over any ads placed on these videos by YouTube.) Article: https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/managing-your-churchs-balance-sheet-is-crucial-to-financial-stability/ Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf1bhqlYPrQ
Building Transparency into Your Church Budget: Transparency keeps money from controlling the church, said Robert Hay, Senior Ministry Relations Officer with the Presbyterian Foundation. Article: https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/building-transparency-into-your-church-budget/
Online Giving Program of the Presbyterian Foundation https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/onlinegiving/
How to do Stewardship: The Stewardship Navigator is a tool developed by the Presbyterian Foundation. https://stewardshipnavigator.com/
Project Regeneration: This program offered through the Presbyterian Foundation guides congregational leaders through a time of learning, research and prayer about the future of the congregation. How can we continue our ministries? What kind of legacy will we leave? What about our building and property? Many congregations are asking these questions in the face of all the changes we are facing. Brochure: https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ProjectRegenerationProgramGuide-4.21-F.pdf Short video: https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/regeneration-stories/
Financial Requirements from the Book of Order: This is a guide published by the Presbytery of New Hope that sets up both requirements and recommendations for doing church finances in a decent and orderly way. https://nhpresbytery.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LocalChurchFinanceGuide-Aug2015.pdf
Financial Boundaries: In 2023 LeaderWise began offering a workshop on financial boundaries that is recommended for all congregations to make sure that you are protecting the resources you have for ministry. For more information, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QU_tKT6pt7mpYm6Q2UfeIA91RuS1aOWj/view
Church Treasurers
Treasurers-Manual-PCUSA-Revised-Dec-2018 This Church Treasurer’s Manual was developed for all people in the local congregation who fit the category of Treasurer, whether you have the title or not. It is a resource guide that addresses a myriad of issues related specifically to Presbyterian churches. Written and edited by Edd Breeden, who also developed the book below.
Newly revised, reorganized, and updated, this manual was developed for church treasurers in the Presbyterian Church USA but is adaptable for any local church setting. You will find detailed information about the job of treasurer, setting up a financial team, processing contributions, sending statements to donors, record keeping, paying expenses, insurance, the complications of a minister’s salary, and so much more. the manual contains over one hundred pages of sample policies and template for you to adapt to your church. Do you have a Gift Acceptance Policy telling your congregation what kinds of gifts you will accept and what you will do with the money? Have you established a Reserve Fund or an Investment Policy? This is a treasure chest full of practical tools and ideas for the Church Treasurer with the small church in mind.
This book is available on most websites. ISBN is 979-8616103109 Some presbyteries have purchased a copy for each congregation.
Compassion, Peace & Justice
Matthew 25
Mental Health Ministry
Resource Strategies
Vital Congregations
Employment Guidance
Ethical Conduct
Pastor Nominating Committees
Transition Time
The Presbytery of Milwaukee offers a series of resources that cover a transition time from the leaving of a pastoral leader to a variety of temporary contract forms, as well as rituals, guidelines and ethics of such transitions.
The Academy
Synod Leadership Events
PCUSA Office of Christian Faith Formation
Theology, Formation & Evangelism
PCUSA Communicators Network
Free and Discounted Digital Services for Churches
Avoid Copyright Infringement