Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC)*

Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) 

(Must be ordained ruling/teaching elder) 

Overview: This Commission is the judicial arm of the presbytery and functions independently to resolve issues that are disciplinary or remedial. Disciplinary cases are designed to hold us accountable to God and to each other, and occur when a member of a congregation or a minister of Word and Sacrament engages in conduct that violates Scripture or the Constitution of the PC(USA). Remedial cases occur when the process of a governing body is questioned. Judicial cases go through a long process and are often resolved and never reach the PJC. The PJC, the last point in the judicial process, hears cases to reach a resolution or to agree on terms of a settlement. 

Terms of Service: Six-year term (elected), ineligible for re-election 

Meetings: A training session which includes an overview of the church judicial process is ordinarily held in the first quarter of the year after election. Future meetings are called when a case requires PJC involvement. 

Requirements: The PJC is of necessity a collegial body. Cases are too important for one or two members to carry. Across the full membership of the PJC the following qualifications are essential. Members should feel confident in multiple qualifiers: 

• familiarity and experience with the Book of Order and Presbyterian polity in general (or the willingness to learn), 

• strong analytical and writing skills, 

• a willingness to undertake research, 

• a collaborative spirit, 

• good computer skills, including the capacity to communicate via email and attend virtual meetings, 

• a willingness and flexibility to respond promptly as the case load requires 

For more information, contact Andy James at 770-330-7838 or cajames@atlpcusa.org