Covenant

"Presbyterian College is a church-related liberal arts college whose "compelling purpose" as stated in the Bylaws of the College "is to develop within the framework of the Christian faith the mental, physical, moral, and spiritual capacities of each student in preparation for a lifetime of personal and vocational fulfillment and responsible contribution to democratic society and the world community."

History of the Relationship

Founded in 1880 as Clinton College by the Reverend William Plumer Jacobs and the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, South Carolina, the institution took the name of Presbyterian College of South Carolina ten years later. Control rested in the hands of trustees elected by the six (6) presbyteries of the Synod of South Carolina, and the Synod of South Carolina accepted full control and support of the College in 1904. Presbyterians in the Synod of Georgia joined in the support of Presbyterian College in 1928 through a system of joint control. The relationship between Presbyterian College and the Synod of the Southeast began with the merger of the Synod of Georgia and the Synod of South Carolina in 1973. When the Synod of South Atlantic was created in January, 1988, the relationship with Presbyterian College was extended to include churches in the states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. In 1996, financial support for Presbyterian College was shifted to the ten (10) presbyteries of Georgia and South Carolina. In June 2002, trustee representation was extended to include representatives from the presbyteries of the three states of the Synod.

Purpose of the Covenant

In order to be faithful to its heritage and more completely and effectively fulfill its mission, Presbyterian College has chosen freely to be in covenant with the Synod of South Atlantic, its presbyteries, and congregations.

In this distinctive context, a covenant between the Synod and the College is not a contract that details the obligations and expectations of each party. It is a voluntary agreement entered into by both parties with a deep sense of commitment to one another and trust in the principles which guide their relationship and upon which the organizations were founded. This covenant is intended to be a living document which will be examined annually and renewed every five years. The Church and the College share mutual responsibility for their knowledge of the covenant and adherence to its values and principles.

The present covenant is more than a restatement and reaffirmation of previous covenants between the College and the Synod. It is an outgrowth of an extensive, eight-month study conducted on what it means for Presbyterian College to be a liberal arts college in covenant with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The study was conducted by a widely representative commission of thirty members, comprised of students, faculty and administrators of the College, alumni/ae, and representatives of the Board of Trustees and the Synod of South Atlantic. The Presbyterian College Commission Report formed the foundation for the review process that led to the development of this covenant. We are indebted to the Commission for its work and have sought to build upon the foundation of its research and recommendations.

What the College Will Do for the Church

In order to fulfill its covenant with the Synod of South Atlantic, its presbyteries and congregations, Presbyterian College accepts and commits to the following responsibilities:

Presbyterian College seeks to help students gain a basic knowledge of the humanities, natural science and social sciences, and an ability to see these studies as part of a larger search for truth that includes the ability to think clearly and independently, to make critical judgments, and to communicate effectively.

A comprehensive and rigorous liberal arts education at Presbyterian College shall include an in-depth engagement with the Christian faith by the academic study of the scriptures of the Old and New Testament. We recognize that we live in a religiously plural society and world in which we must learn to relate openly and appreciatively to other faith traditions. Presbyterian College shall seek faculty who see teaching and the relationship with students as their essential mission and who commit themselves to and are supportive of the distinctive identity and mission of the College in covenant with the Presbyterian Church (USA). As a vital part of its educational ministry, the College affirms its commitment to academic freedom and the free pursuit of knowledge and excellence.

Presbyterian College seeks to help students attain a sense of moral and ethical commitments expressed in service to others.

Presbyterian College shall provide and nurture a community that promotes an appreciation of Christian beliefs, moral concerns, national, regional, and global awareness, and emphasizes the social responsibility of each member of the community. The Presbyterian College Honor System shall stand as the visible reflection of our desire to live in a community characterized by honest behavior, integrity, and high moral character. The College affirms that such a community shall promote concern for those in need, and it shall continue to promote volunteer programs that provide opportunities for increased student awareness of these needs. Presbyterian College shall challenge students to develop a strong sense of vocation that will enable them not merely to make a better living but to live a better life. Appreciation for national, regional, and global issues is vital to the life of this community and shall be promoted by intercultural, interdisciplinary, and experiential activities.

In fulfilling this covenant, Presbyterian College seeks to serve the Church in its mission to the world by promoting the spiritual lives of its students.

The College shall provide opportunities for the entire community to worship on campus in a variety of styles led by a variety of people, including the college chaplain, pastors of churches, faculty, administration, staff and students. Presbyterian College shall provide students with opportunities to explore church vocations through church leadership programs, internships, and training. Presbyterian College shall promote itself to the youth of the church and encourage them to apply and enroll. The College shall strive to be an inclusive community that values diversity throughout its life and encourages the Church to demonstrate the inclusiveness which the Presbyterian Church (USA) affirms in its Book of Order. The College shall attempt to make available resources for special events involving the Church. While the missions of the College and the Church are distinct, Presbyterian College recognizes a shared responsibility with the Church for service to the Kingdom of God.

What the Church Will Do for the College

In order to fulfill its covenant with Presbyterian College, the Synod of South Atlantic, its presbyteries, and congregations, accept and commit to the following responsibilities:

The Synod of South Atlantic, its presbyteries and congregations, will affirm and value the relationship between the College and Church.

Throughout its history, the Presbyterian Church has valued highly the life of the mind in service to God and has taken seriously the responsibility for the founding and support of church-related colleges. In this covenant the Synod of South Atlantic commits itself to help interpret to its member presbyteries and congregations the importance of a liberal arts education in the context of Christian faith and values. The Church affirms the integrity of the College and the importance of academic freedom that is essential to the life of the College. The Church agrees to serve as a channel of communication through which the College's needs, challenges, and opportunities are shared with the Church and the Church’s concerns are shared with the College. The Church will share with the College the responsibility for promoting the relationship between the Church and College in publications, including web links to the College on presbytery and church websites. The Church will be willing and eager to receive visits from students, faculty, and staff of the College. The Church covenants to pray for the College. The Church acknowledges the importance of receiving annual reports from the College. These reports will lift up the covenant and detail how it is being fulfilled both by the College and the Church.

The Synod of South Atlantic, its presbyteries and congregations, will affirm and value the ministry we share in common.

While their missions are distinct, the College and the Church share a mutual responsibility of service to the Kingdom of God. The Church recognizes the remarkable resources which the College provides that can be utilized in the mission of the Church and covenants to use them appropriately in the fulfillment of its mission and ministry. The Church values the resources provided by the College in the fine arts, sacred music, and by members of the faculty who teach, lead retreats, and help deepen the Church’s understanding of issues. The Church will seek to provide internships for students within congregations and publicize the need for internship opportunities among church members.

The Synod of South Atlantic, its presbyteries and congregations, commit to assist in the recruitment of students.

Congregations throughout the Synod will prepare and actively encourage their youth to attend Presbyterian College and provide scholarship assistance to members who attend Presbyterian College.

The Synod of South Atlantic, its presbyteries and congregations, will offer financial support to the College.

The Church accepts the challenge to help fund the programs and ministries of the College that it has urged the College to implement. The Church covenants to support the College financially through annual giving, student scholarships, participation in capital campaigns, and assistance in identifying potential donors to the College.

The Synod of South Atlantic, its presbyteries and congregations, agree to provide institutional support.

The Synod of South Atlantic plays a significant role in the governance of the College by identifying and endorsing for the College outstanding leaders to serve on the Presbyterian College Board of Trustees. The Church actively encourages its leaders to serve on College advisory boards and the Board of Church Visitors. This role is critical to further the relationship between the College and the Church.

Joint Responsibility for the Covenant

Presbyterian College and the Synod of South Atlantic, its presbyteries, and congregations, will share in the affirmation of the covenant with an annual report and a comprehensive review and renewal of the covenant every five years.

The covenant between the Synod and the College is a living document. The College’s Office of Church Relations will issue an annual report to the College and the Synod of the activities the College and Church undertake to fulfill their portions of the covenant. These reports will be part of the covenant renewal materials. Every five years at the instruction of the president, the College will engage in the covenant renewal process. The Board of Church Visitors and its related Presbytery Advisory Councils will play a significant role in reviewing, renewing, and promoting the covenant. As a response to the annual College report, the Board of Church Visitors will report to the College and the Church on activities both organizations undertake to fulfill the covenant. The Synod and the College recognize the advantages of working relationships between the College and other church bodies consistent with this Covenant. Such relationships with presbyteries, sessions, and other institutions of the Church allow for mutual responsibilities and resources to be identified and exercised at every level, and the College may have Statements of Understanding to implement relationships with other church governing bodies.