About Per Capita

By Pastor Steve

 

Third Presbyterian Church is a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) A particular contribution from church members supports the work of the greater church, called Per Capita. As the name implies, churches are assessed an amount of suggested support based on the size of the church’s membership. The amount assessed for 2025 is $44 per capita (member).

Per capita assessments support the work of the church beyond the congregation through three councils:  Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. As a connectional church, congregations exist as members of these bodies through elected or appointed commissioners. Third Presbyterian Church is therefore a member of Blackhawk Presbytery, the Synod of Lincoln Trails, and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

This is how the funds will be allocated this year: 

      General Assembly: $10.84    Synod:  $3.81    Presbytery: 29.35   Total: $44.00

Here is a brief description of work done by each of these councils on our behalf:

 

General Assembly (www.pcusa.org)

  • Oversees the Constitution of the greater church and makes adjustments through a process of overtures and amendments.
  • Convenes a biennial meeting to consider matters pertinent to the whole church.
  • Creates standards for leadership in the church (ministers and elders).
  • Coordinates regional, national, and global initiatives of compassion and relief

 

Synod of Lincoln Trails (www.lincolntrails.org)

            The Synod of Lincoln Trails, a mid-council between the General Assembly and the Presbytery, provides leadership development opportunities for pastors and Christian educators through coaching and grants which support self-care. Particularly in the years during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, church workers have experienced stress leading to burnout and departure from ministry.

            In addition, the Synod offers focused support for pastors who are new to ministry as well as to those who are contemplating retirement or who have recently retired.

 

Blackhawk Presbytery (www.blackhawkpresbytery.org)

            Blackhawk Presbytery is made up of 63 congregations in northern Illinois. The Presbytery meets four times each year. Pastor Steve and Elder Dan Chiodini represent Third at these meetings. Through committees and taskforces. Here are a few of the services that churches provide to each other through the Presbytery:

  • Local mission support – mission grants have helped our youth events (bus transportation), provided funding to Northwest Neighbors, and helped us host International       
  • Training and Accountability – The Presbytery provides boundary training for pastors, procedural training for Session Clerks, and reviews our administrative process.
  • Standards for Leadership – the Committee on Ministry works with the pastor and/or a pastoral search committee at times of transition.
  • Provides a community of worship and support for Ministers of Word and Sacrament. Pastors are not members of congregations, but members of Presbytery.
  • Supports collaboration within regions. Pastor Steve often works with the pastors of First Presbyterian Church and Middle Creek Presbyterian Church in Winnebago, Willow Creek Presbyterian Church in Caledonia, and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rockford.
Presbyterians…
Are followers of Jesus Christ.
See God in three aspects, known as the Trinity: Father/Creator, Son/Redeemer, Holy Spirit/Sustainer.
Understand the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible to be reliable expositions of what God teaches us
     to be and do.
Understand that following Christ is a matter of faith and practice.  Our faith leads us to live ethically in the direction of compassion for all and an understanding that the image of God resides in each person. 
 
The Church…
Is the Body of Christ on earth, sent to be Christ’s faithful evangelist.
The church is to hear and respond to God’s word in Scripture and to nurture a sustaining community of disciples of Christ.
 
The essential tasks of the church are…
The proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind;
The shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God;
The maintenance of divine worship;
The preservation of the truth; The promotion of social righteousness; and

The exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.