This six-week course will explore the foundational principles of church governance as described in the Book of Order (BoO), Part II of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Our work in this course will be both synthetic and topical in nature, as we seek to understand the "big picture" and basic application of concepts found in the BoO. This approach will provide a practical framework for our understanding and application of the principles of Presbyterian governance and use of the BoO. This course will focus on the local congregation—and more importantly, your local congregation. We will study those aspects of Presbyterian polity that ordained leaders of a particular church—ruling elders, deacons, and teaching elders—need to know to carry out their ministry. This course is limited to members of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley or others approved by the Presbytery.

 

Online

 

 

Ordained for nearly thirty years in the PCUSA, Jan has spent the last twenty years honing experience in intentional Transitional Ministry. She approaches Transitional Ministry with a nuanced understanding of systems, training in Healthy Congregations and Mediation, and a curiosity about the intersection between context and living theology. Jan has served 8 different congregations in a transitional capacity—large and small, rural and urban, thriving and questioning sustainability. She sees, teaches and coaches through the lens of a woman in leadership and is attentive to the particular experiences of women. Informed by her early work bringing ethnography to the classroom, Jan teaches with an understanding of adult learners and our yearning to grow in community. Jan serves the church through teaching, coaching and consulting through Transitional Ministry Pathways (tmpathways.com). 
 
To our work in learning about polity, Jan has served as the Moderator of Session in all the churches she has served, plus a few others. Jan has been the Chair of the Committee on Ministry and has trained pastors and elders in how Committees on Ministry can and should be supporting congregations. She approaches both polity and pastoral leadership with a balance of being attentive to the rules and guardrails of polity, and an understanding of congregational systems and systems change.
 
Jan holds degrees from Duke University (AB), the University of Pennsylvania (MSEd), McCormick Theological Seminary (Mdiv) and Columbia Theological Seminary (DMin). She lives in Allentown, PA with her daughter. 

The program fee is $180. All balances are due January 9, 2026. Cancellations must be received by January 19, 2026, to receive a refund of the program fee minus the deposit.

 

As soon as you are able, please obtain a copy of the most current version of The Book of Order, Part II of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2019-2023 or later version. You will also need to borrow or purchase these two books, both valuable resources for understanding principles of Reformed Polity and some of its theological principles: Presbyterian Polity for Church Leaders, 4th Edition, by Joan S. Gray and Joyce C. Tucker and Principles of Presbyterian Polity, by Carlos E. Wilton. For work within your cohort following this class, you will need a copy of the Book of Confessions, Part I of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) if you did not previously purchase it for the course Reformed Confessions and Theology. We recommend The Book of Confessions, Study Edition, Revised Edition, now including the Confession of Belhar. 

 

Registration will close two weeks prior to February 2, 2026, or when registration has reached maximum capacity. Day-of registrations are not permitted.

 

For questions about registration or for technical assistance, email lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu.