Session Forms and Documents
Sample Documents
Covenant Agreements
- See COM Commonly Used Documents on the main Forms & Documents page
Manuals and Policies
- Manual of Administrative Operations (Word)
- Misconduct Policy (PDF)
- Child/Youth Protection Policy (PDF)
Clerk Resources
Training Materials
- Training session video (recorded April 26, 2020)
- Handbook 2020 (PDF)
Recordkeeping
- Clerks Index Sheet (PDF) due July 15 to your reader
- Who Is My Reader? (PDF)
- Guidance for Clerks of Session (PDF)
Finance Documents
- Church Financial Review Guidelines (Word)
- 2025 Covenant With the Presbytery/Statement of Intent Form (PDF)
- 2025 Remittance Form (PDF)
Other Resources
COM DEADLINE
The Commission on Ministry (COM) committees meet on or by the first Thursday of each month.
To allow time for review, all required forms, including examination materials, must be submitted to com@presbyteryofthejames.org by the third Thursday of the month for consideration at the following month’s meeting.
Forming a PC(USA) Congregation in Virginia
Congregational Rules (Word)
Incorporation of POJ Churches
Incorporation Procedures and Considerations, January 2021 (PDF)
Refer to this document to understand which below set to use for a particular organization structure.
Set 1: Churches with Session Members as Trustees
- Articles of Incorporation (Word)
- By-Laws (Word)
- Consent Form (PDF)
SET 2: Churches with Elected Trustees Separate from the Session
- Articles of Incorporation (Word)
- By-Laws (Word)
- Consent Form (PDF)
SET 3: Churches Granted Exception with Session Members as Trustees
- Articles of Incorporation (Word)
- By-Laws (Word)
- Consent Form (PDF)
SET 4: Churches Granted Exception with Elected Trustees Separate from the Session
- Articles of Incorporation (Word)
- By-Laws (Word)
- Consent Form (PDF)