Cooperative Ministry – Sometimes referred to as “Yoked"

WHAT

  • Two independent congregations
  • One Pastor

HOW

  • Agreement – Effective June 1, 2024
  • “A Covenant for the Cooperative Ministry of Delta Presbyterian Church, Lansing, MI and First Presbyterian Church of Dimondale, Dimondale, MI”

Summary of Covenant


CONTINUITY OF IDENTITY

  • One Body of Christ – Cooperative Ministry
  • Partnership NOT Merger
  • Own by-laws, budget, session, and committee structures


TERM OF COOPERATIVE MINISTRY

  • Two Years
  • Continue annually with approval x2 congregations

SHARING ONE FULL-TIME PASTOR

  • Guideline Pastors Time 45% Dimondale 55% Delta
  • Pastor Attend and Moderate Both Sessions

FINANCIALLY SUPPORTING A PASTOR

  • Pastor’s Salary 45% Dimondale 55% Delta
  • Delta represents both churches to Board of Pensions

WORSHIP

  • Each church own regular Sunday worship
  • Delta 9:00 AM
  • Dimondale 11:00 AM
  • Pastor present at each service
  • Openness for members decide to worship at the respective congregations according to their service times

JOINT SESSION MEETINGS

  • 4x Per Year
  • Alternate between churches

COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

  • Both sessions covenant to practice healthy communication and conflict resolution

SHARED MINISTRY

  • “We covenant to explore God’s unimaginable ‘next’ together!”

REVIEW OF COOPERATIVE MINISTRY

  • Annually at joint session meeting