Training, professional development, continuing education... no matter the name, the result is tools to create a positive impact in your life and in organizations where you serve. Presbytery of the James is excited to offer these opportunities. Most are open to anyone.
On July 17, POJ and UPSem presented Church Communications: Telling Your Church's Story. Presenters collected a wide range of resources to provide to participants and are pleased to now offer them to you too.
All workshop resources can be found here.
Thoughts on a future workshop? Drop a line to let us know what would be helpful to you!
OFFICER TRAINING RESOURCES
POJ Presbyterian Polity 101 - Fall 2026 Session
The POJ Leadership Connection Team is pleased to offer Presbyterian Polity 101, a four-week course designed for newly elected elders and deacons.
2026 FALL COURSE DETAILS
-
Format: Four weekly, one-hour sessions held via Zoom.
-
Curriculum: Spiritual leadership, congregations & meetings, ordered ministries, and the Four Councils of the PCUSA. Each session includes a handout with practical questions and scenarios.
-
Instructor: Carson Rhyne, Instructor in Presbyterian Polity at Union Presbyterian Seminary for 20 years.
SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION
Mondays, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 7-8 p.m., via ZOOM
Registration closes: Oct. 28
Register: https://forms.gle/fWsSsPo2XPKsPqcJ7
Cost: $50 per congregation (covers unlimited participants from one church).
Class Cap: Each session is limited to 24 participants. Be sure to register participants from your church by the registration deadline.
SPECIAL OFFER: If your church's entire session participates in this course, in-person training is available for $100 per congregation. Contact Carson Rhyne at Carsonrhyne48@gmail.com if you are interested in taking advantage of this option.
Self-Paced Officer Training
What is ordered ministry, and why is it important to the Presbyterian Church? What does one need to know to be an effective leader in the Presbyterian church?
Theoacademy’s free training videos will explore and answer these and other questions about ordained leadership in the Presbyterian tradition. There are also teaching resources on the Old and New Testaments, hermeneutics, etc. Boxed sets of Office Training materials also available for purchase for $30.00.
Created in 2019 as an initiative of General Assembly, Equip hosts various training resources and courses including: Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons based on the Constitutional Questions. This resource has been created to provide teaching elders/ministers of Word and Sacrament and other congregational leaders with content to adequately train ruling elders and deacons in their ministries with God’s people. Based on the questions that each of the church leaders affirms when ordained, this resource includes modules, discussion questions and a leader guides for different contexts (i.e. session meetings, retreats, etc).
Led by Rev. Bethany Benz-Whittington, a PC(USA) pastor who serves First Presbyterian in LaFollette, Tennessee, Sacred Calls offers faith formation materials and training resources for progressive churches and leaders longing to be a brave voice in a loud world. The Sacred Calls 2024 Officer Training curriculum is heavy on spirituality, scripture, and leadership. It attempts to find a balance for the typical, business/ cerebral aspects of training and includes group bonding exercises and activities to critically engage the BOO questions. Downloadable Curriculum Cost: $65
Healthy and vital ministries rely on trust and mutual support to create spaces of welcome and safety for all. This training ensures that leaders understand the role of power and vulnerability to create and maintain healthy boundaries.
Virtual: Anytime
Equipping leaders to navigate pathways of change for the church in the 21st century.