eNewsletter

Looking Ahead: A New Season for the Presbytery

In the past, our Presbytery staffing decisions were driven largely by financial constraints. That no longer needs to be the case. Recognizing this shift as well as a need for change, the Presbytery appointed a Visioning Team last year to review how we function and to make recommendations for our future.

After more than a year of thoughtful work, the Visioning Team, in November, presented a report with several bold recommendations regarding both structure and staffing. At its core, the report proposes the merging of several committees and a shift from an Administrative Committee to a Coordinating Committee. This new Coordinating Committee would be composed largely of the chairs of our various Presbytery committees and is designed to strengthen communication and collaboration among leadership.

The report also outlines a new staffing model. Going forward, staff would include a full‑time Executive Presbyter, a part‑time Stated Clerk, and a full‑time Administrator. The Administrator position has already been approved, and a job description is posted below.

In addition, the Presbytery will be supported by part‑time Deans and Shepherds. Deans will serve as subject experts who educate and resource our congregations, while Shepherds will act as liaisons to clusters of churches, nurturing relationships and strengthening connections across the Presbytery.
There is much to unpack in each of these proposals, and I will explore them more fully in future newsletters. The complete Visioning Team report is available for download at the link below.

With 75 churches, three worshiping communities, and more than 14,000 members, the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee is among the largest in our denomination. For the past 35 years that I have been part of this presbytery, I have watched us consistently compress staff and resources to the bare minimum. This new Vision invites us to reflect more fully on who we are and how we might best support the vibrant ministry God has entrusted to us.

You can download the full Vision Report here. 

Blessings, 

Annual Statistics Reporting:
Thank you to all who submitted your annual statistics reports. If you would like a copy of your congregation’s report, email sc@pbymidtn.org. 

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Boundary Training for Church Leaders:

Over 475 members of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee have registered for boundary training at some point in the past 3 years. Thank you to all who have taken the training and advocated for the safety of your congregation.

As a reminder: All Teaching Elders, Certified Christian Educators, Commissioned Ruling Elders,  Inquirers and Candidates, and active Session members are required to complete boundary training every 36 months.  

If you have registered with Praesidium and need help completing a course, please contact me directly (615) 332-3330 ext. 2 or sc@pbymidtn.org.  If you need to complete the training, click here. This will notify me to register you in the Praesidium Academy.

We’re Hiring!

The Presbytery of Middle Tennessee is looking for a full‑time Operations and Communications Coordinator to help keep our work running smoothly and our community connected. This role blends organization, communication, technology, and collaboration in support of Presbytery meetings, events, and day‑to‑day operations.

If you love clear communication, enjoy working with people, and feel called to support the mission and ministry of the church, we’d love to hear from you!

The ideal candidate is a self‑motivated, organized professional who works well independently and takes initiative to keep operations running smoothly.

Learn more or apply: personnel@pbymidtn.org

Job Description

 

The UKIRK annual Soul & Spirits fundraising event will be held tomorrow -  April 9, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Nashville Food Project (5904 California Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37209). If you cannot attend, and would like to make a financial contribution, click here.

Save the Date! Plan to Attend!!
Middle Tennessee Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering
Where: First Presbyterian Church
Tullahoma, TN 200 E Grundy St. Tullahoma,TN 37388
When: Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 9:30am - 12:30pm

Guest Speaker: Rev Sally Hughes

Theme: Strong Roots and Beautiful Flowers

Attendees are invited to bring the name/names of women (living or dead) in their churches or lives who have strengthened the life of the church, an individual, or a community.

If you have one, bring a picture of them.The Registration fee is $10 per person and includes lunch. Checks can be made out to Presbyterian Women of MTP.

All registration forms and payments must be mailed by this Friday, April 10th,^ to: Ms. Cynthia Palmer 74 Vaughns Gap Road, Nashville, TN, 37205.

Registration Form

Southminster - Shadows Ignited

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness shadows in a whole new light. Join Silent No Longer Tennessee at Southminster Presbyterian Church for a powerful event filled with uplifting music, moving poems, and powerful monologues and plays. Each performance reveals a journey—from trauma and survival to reclaiming voice, identity, and strength. Art pieces - paintings, collage and mixed media - created by survivors will also be available for sale. For more information, email gmcclain@silentnolongertn.org

643 Harding Place, Nashville 

Saturday April 25th  from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now!

Free Hymnals Available
There are copies of The Presbyterian Hymnal (blue, published in 1990) and Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal (purple, published in 2013) available at no charge while supplies last. If your congregation could use them, please contact Paula Adams at 615-516-0605.

Currently, these are the job opportunities available within the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee. 

Operations and Communications Coordinator, Presbytery of Middle Tennessee

Part-Time Office Administrator, Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church, Franklin 

Back-of-House Manager, Nueva Vida Food Project, Nashville

Part-Time A/V Technician, The Downtown Presbyterian Church, Nashville
Events Coordinator, Downtown Presbyterian Church, Nashville

What’s in a Name? Plenty!

The PC(USA)’s Interim Unified Agency has been renamed to Presbyterian Life & Witness, which comes with a tagline, “Serving God’s Mission in the World. This is a large milestone in the unification of the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

See a list of Presbyterian Life & Witness ministry areas