PCM Board

The Presbyterian Campus Ministry program at UNC-Chapel Hill is supported, sustained and governed by a board of individuals who represent represent students, parents, and five area community Presbyterian USA congregations. These congregations support the ministry here through financial contributions, prayerful support, invitation and welcome to worship and care and interest in the lives of students, faculty and staff. Please take some time in this website to check out the supporting congregations and feel free to join them for worship. We appreciate the diligent care and nurture our board provides while also discerning the direction and passion out staff and leadership engage in planning our program.

Covenant Agreement of the Presbyterian Campus Ministry Board of Chapel Hill with the

Presbytery of New Hope

University Presbyterian Church

Church of Reconciliation

Triangle Presbyterian Church

New Hope Presbyterian Church

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Mission

The Presbyterian Campus Ministry is a Presbyterian community of faith and witness with and for the students, faculty, administration and staff of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , whose mission it is:

To present the claims of the Gospel to persons within the university community, calling them to commitments of faith and life amid other competing claims for loyalty;
To provide opportunities for worship, study and moral discourse, in which persons will be encouraged and equipped to bring Christian resources to bear on the critical issues of our time;
To foster a community of Christian fellowship among students, between students and faculty/administration/ staff, and between students and the Christian community in Chapel Hill ;
To equip persons for Christian ministry and service within the university, the larger community, and the world;
To provide pastoral care and support to persons within the university community, particularly those availing themselves of the programs of campus ministry;
To offer a witness for God’s justice and peace in the midst of structures and systems of injustice and fragmentation;
To promote interest, interaction and mutual support with other Presbyterian congregations, the Presbytery of New Hope and Synod of Mid-Atlantic, and to connect to the resources of the university for the benefit of the larger church.

History

The University of North Carolina opened its doors to students in Chapel Hill in the fall of 1795. The first president and most of its early faculty were Presbyterian Ministers. The first Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill was organized by Orange Presbytery in 1845. Prior to that time, however, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Episcopalians maintained a Union Church with a building on the property now occupied by University Presbyterian Church.

It is clear, then, that Presbyterians have from the beginning played an active role within this university. For many years, this Presbyterian presence was represented by the pastors and congregation of the University Presbyterian Church, which until 1967 was called “The Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church”. This church has generally been conscious of itself as having a campus mission, and has for most of its history included many faculty members and students in it, its membership and leadership. Its aim has been that of proclaiming the gospel in terms relevant to those living in a university community.

During the 1930's and ‘40's, funds specifically for a campus ministry were received from Synod and Presbytery. In 1953 a covenant of support and accountability was established between the Synod of North Carolina and the Session of University (then Chapel Hill ) Presbyterian Church, and the first full time campus minister was called. Working closely with the pastor and the congregation of University Presbyterian Church, that first Presbyterian Campus Minister in Chapel Hill led in the formation of a campus ministry program that was viewed by many around the nation as a model.

In 1956 the Synod and the congregation of University Church agreed to work together for the provision of buildings that would be needed for the present and future Presbyterian mission in Chapel Hill . These joint efforts were made more difficult - but not defeated by - a destructive church fire in 1958. In the fall of 1959 the Presbyterian Student Center and Education Building were dedicated. A new sanctuary, planned for inclusion of students in worship, was completed in 1962.

The Presbyterian Student Center, held in trust by University Presbyterian Church for Campus Ministry under guidelines from the Synod of North Carolina (and its successors), has provided a place for student gatherings, worship, forums, study groups, prayer and fellowship - as well as offices for the campus minister.

In recent years, with the growth of Presbyterianism in this area, the local support and supervision of campus ministry have been broadened to include the Church of Reconciliation , Triangle Presbyterian Church, New Hope Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The aim of the Presbyterian ministry on this campus has been and continues to be that of proclaiming the Gospel and enabling Christians to respond faithfully in this crucial and exciting environment.

Articles of Agreement

The Presbyterian Campus Ministry of Chapel Hill, Inc. (the “Ministry”) is accountable to Church of Reconciliation , New Hope Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of New Hope, Triangle Presbyterian Church, University Presbyterian Church, and to Westminster Presbyterian Church (together, the “Covenanting Partners”) to provide a campus ministry that will faithfully represent the ministry of Jesus Christ in accordance with the tradition and faith of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The Presbyterian Campus Minister is accountable to the session and congregation of University Presbyterian Church and to New Hope Presbytery.

Until revised or dissolved, this Covenant Agreement shall govern and guide the relationship between the Covenanting Partners according to the terms specified below.

The Ministry agrees to :

Be governed by a Board of Directors (the “Board” or “BOD”), as provided in Section III of this Covenant Agreement.
Bear principal responsibility for the programs of the Presbyterian Campus Ministry (PCM).
Bear principal responsibility for the finances of the Presbyterian Campus Ministry (PCM).
Share responsibility with University Presbyterian Church (UPC) for the use and upkeep of property.
Provide support and guidance to the Presbyterian Campus Minister.
Keep the Covenanting Partners informed of the general activities of the ministry.
Share needs, concerns, and long term goals of the ministry with the Covenanting Partners.
Communicate Covenanting Partner needs and opportunities to the PCM community.
Encourage PCM participation in the life of the Covenanting Partner congregations.
Use any funds provided by the Covenanting Partners in a fiscally responsible manner to accomplish the mission of campus ministry.
Review, evaluate, and make recommended changes to this Covenant Agreement to the Covenanting Partners.

Each Covenanting Partner church agrees to:

Accept the call to minister to the University community.
Develop in the congregation an awareness of the needs of the University’s students and faculty.
Provide opportunities for the Presbyterian Campus Minister to be involved in the congregation’s life.
Welcome and encourage the integration of the university community into the life of the congregation.
Provide financial support to the Ministry commensurate with its needs.
Elect members to serve on the Board of Directors of the Ministry, as provided in Section III of this Covenant Agreement.
Participate in providing support for program growth and development.

University Presbyterian Church additionally agrees to:

Continue to hold campus ministry as one of its highest priorities.
Provide an associate pastor to serve as the Presbyterian Campus Minister for the Ministry.
Consult with the Board to provide a job description for the Presbyterian Campus Minister and an annual evaluation of work performance.
Welcome and encourage the integration of the University community into the life of the congregation.
Provide for supervisory care and maintenance of the facilities commonly known as the “Student Center Wing” and the Fellowship Hall and kitchen which were made available by the former Synod of North Carolina, maintaining the center as a welcoming place for students and faculty to gather for the purposes stated above.

The Presbytery of New Hope additionally agrees to:

Provide for a liaison on the Board of Directors of the Ministry to represent the Presbytery, as provided in Section III of this Covenant Agreement.
Provide pastoral care and nurture for the Presbyterian Campus Minister, in keeping with Committee on Ministry responsibilities.
Advocate campus ministry as a part of the Presbytery’s concern and program in higher education.
Provide for a share of the funding of the Ministry.

Governance

The Board of Directors (the “BOD”) of the Ministry shall operate in accordance with and be held accountable to the Bylaws of the Ministry and to the Covenanting Partners. If there is any conflict between the provisions in the Bylaws and the provisions in the Covenant Agreement, the provisions of the Covenant Agreement shall govern.

Membership of the BOD:

Members elected by Covenanting Partners:

Four representatives elected by the Session of University Presbyterian Church.
Two representatives elected by the Session of Triangle Presbyterian Church.
Two representatives elected by the Session of The Church of Reconciliation.
Two representatives elected by the Session of New Hope Presbyterian Church.
Two representatives elected by the Session of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
One representative from the Presbytery of New Hope to be elected by the Presbytery.

Members elected by the BOD, in consultation with the Presbyterian Campus Minister:

The Presbyterian Campus Minister will recommend nominees for BOD-elected representatives at the February BOD meeting preceding the next service year. The BOD shall elect the nominees no later than the April meeting preceding the next service year.

Two student representatives from PCM.
Two representatives who are faculty or staff of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and members of a Presbyterian Church.
One representative who is a parent of a student participating in PCM.
One representative who is an alumnus of PCM.
One representative who shall serve as Treasurer and be a member of a Presbyterian Church, if the Treasurer is not elected from the representatives of one of the Covenanting Partners.
The Presbyterian Campus Minister:
- The Presbyterian Campus Minister shall serve as the Moderator of the BOD.
- The Presbyterian Campus Minister shall be a non-voting member of the BOD.
Pastors of the Covenanting Partner Churches:

The pastors of the five Covenanting Partner church congregations shall be ex-officio members of the Board, with voice but without vote. An ex-officio pastor may be designated as one of the elected members of a Covenanting Partner church, but such designation shall be in effect for an entire calendar year.

Terms of Service of the BOD

Covenanting Partner Members: Members elected by the Covenanting Partners shall have terms of service of three years. Terms of service of these members will begin on January 1 and terminate on December 31.

Members elected by the BOD: Members elected by the BOD shall have a one year term of service. Terms of service of these members will begin on June 1 and terminate on May 31.

The Presbyterian Campus Minister and the Pastors of the Covenanting Partner Churches:

These members shall have unlimited terms of service.

Review and Amendments

This Covenant Agreement will normally be reviewed every three years. This triennial review should be initiated and facilitated by the Moderator of the Board. A special review may be initiated by any one of the Covenanting Partners when it believes that it cannot continue to fulfill the terms of the agreement, or that the terms are not being fulfilled by another partner. Such a special review should be initiated by written notice to each Covenanting Partner.

This Covenant Agreement may be amended at any time with the approval of all the Covenanting Partners. A Covenanting Partner may withdraw from the Covenant Agreement with the approval of the governing bodies of all other partners, or by giving a full year’s written notice to all other partners of its intention to dissolve the relationship.