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.
POJ Presbyterian Polity 101 - Winter/Spring 2026 Sessions
The POJ Leadership Connection Team is pleased to offer Presbyterian Polity 101, a four-week course designed for newly elected elders and deacons.
2026 WINTER/SPRING COURSE DETAILS
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Format: Four weekly, one-hour sessions held via Zoom.
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Curriculum: Spiritual leadership, congregations & meetings, ordered ministries, and the Four Councils of the PCUSA. Each session includes a handout with practical questions and scenarios.
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Instructor: Carson Rhyne, Instructor in Presbyterian Polity at Union Presbyterian Seminary for 20 years.
SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION
Participants May Choose One Session:
1. Winter/March: Thursdays, March 5, 12, 19, 26 7-8 PM, via ZOOM, 7-8 p.m.
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- Registration for the winter course is now closed
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2. Spring/May: Tuesdays, May 5, 12, 19, 26, via ZOOM, 7-8 p.m.
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- Registration for the Spring course is April 1-30
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Registration Links will appear on this page during above registration windows.
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. If your congregation needs to attend both sessions, please register for both separately. Only one payment will be required per church, even if you need to register participants for both sessions.
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.
POJ Clerk of Session Training - May 17, 2026, 3:30-5:30 p.m. via Zoom
Please share this opportunity with your Clerk!
This is a great training opportunity for those interested in being a Clerk or for those intending to become a future Clerk.
The cost is $25/congregation regardless of the number of participants.
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Format: two-hour session held via Zoom.
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Instructor: Carson Rhyne, Instructor in Presbyterian Polity at Union Presbyterian Seminary for 20 years.
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Cost: $25 per congregation (covers unlimited participants from one church).
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Registration: Be sure to register participants from your church by the registration deadline (April 30). (Registration will open on this page April 1.)
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.