Pulpit Supply

WHAT IS PULPIT SUPPLY? Pulpit supply is a ministry that helps our churches fill the pulpit in times of need, such as when a minister is away, has an emergency, or the church is in transition (any person preaching more than three consecutive Sundays in the same congregation has entered into a temporary pastoral relationship, which needs to be approved by the Committee on Ministry (COM). Please contact the pulpit supply person directly.

WHO SERVES AS PULPIT SUPPLY? Ministers who have expressed their availability to serve as well as Commissioned Ruling Elders, and Ruling Elders as approved by COM.

WHO CAN PRESIDE AT THE SACRAMENTS? Ministers of the Word & Sacrament ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and ruling elders who have been trained and authorized by Eastminster Presbytery may preside at the sacraments. The Formula of Agreement also allows us to invite Ministers of the Word & Sacrament ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church and Ordained Ministers in the United Church of Christ to preside at the sacraments. Please note that the pulpit supply lists of our partner denominations also include lay pastors and ministers of other denominations who are authorized to preach but who are not authorized to preside at the sacraments.

WHAT IS THE HONORARIUM FOR PULPIT SUPPLY?

  • Churches are expected to provide an honorarium plus mileage (IRS approved mileage rate for 2024 is .67 cents/mile) for pulpit supply preachers.

  • The following schedule lists the COM approved minimum honorariums:

    • $100 for one worship service; $50 for each additional service on the same day, plus mileage.

    • If overnight lodging is required, motel and meals should be provided at the church’s expense.

Kolya Koretskyy has recently been added to our Pulpit Supply List. Kolya is the pastor from Ukraine who preached at the February presbytery meeting and now he can come preach at your congregation! He currently lives in Kent where University Church has been helping his family acclimate to the United States. Watch the video below to see his journey!

For complete supply details related to pulpit, additional services, moderating session or congregational meeting, and other pertinent details, please read the Pulpit Supply Policy as adopted by COM.

In addition to Eastminster Presbytery’s Pulpit Supply List, COM has approved the Pulpit Supply List from the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Living Water Association - Ohio Northeast United Church of Christ (UCC) AND welcomes churches to contact pulpit supply from that list as well.

ELCA : Our mission as the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, empowered by the Word and Sacraments, is to worship the Lord of the church, nurture the faith among believers, witness to the grace of God in Jesus Christ, serve the needs of all people, and provide the necessary support to facilitate this mission.

UCC: Our purpose is to be a resource and support for the health and wellbeing of our congregations, that we may grow into communities of healing and grace embodying Christ in the world.