The MERIT Committee (Ministries, Education, Resources, and IT) supports the life and ministry of the Presbytery by overseeing several key areas. These include the support and supervision of candidates, probationers, and assistant ministers as they journey through their training; the encouragement and training of Presbytery Worship Leaders in partnership with Trinity College Glasgow; and the promotion and approval of Study Leave opportunities for ministers, enabling ongoing growth and development. The committee also helps nurture vocations by supporting events such as Celebrating Calling and offers guidance for those exploring a call to ministry. Through all its work, MERIT seeks to equip and encourage those serving across the Presbytery of the South West.

The Remit of the Ministries, Education, Resources and IT Committee is:

• to support Admission Candidates on Familiarisation Placements
• to support the training process for candidates.
• to offer pastoral support and encouragement to candidates in training.
• to comment on issues of pastoral care for ministers and deacons and candidates.
• to assist the Presbytery in coming to a mind on issues of ministry support such as stipend and manse provision.
• to consider and advise on applications from Kirk Sessions for the appointment of full-time or part-time Associate or Assistant Ministers, or for the appointment of any other form of parish assistance in consultation with the Presbytery Planning Committee
• to receive Annual Reports from Parish Teams, Pioneer Ministries, Team Ministries, Employed Chaplaincies and Emerging Ministries.
• to represent the Presbytery, if required, at interviews for Mission Development Staff posts.
• to introduce policy on behalf of the Presbytery in respect of Elder training and the development and resourcing of youth and children’s work.

The Committee has the following Delegated Powers:

• to represent Presbytery in the Discernment Process, including the Local Review
• to represent Presbytery at Initial Course Meetings for new candidates;
• to represent Presbytery at Annual Course Review Meetings for candidates during their training and at the Final Review at the end of Probation.
• to nominate as Candidates for the Ministry those who have been accepted as Prospective Candidates by an Assessment Conference, other than in cases of difficulty;
• to carry out the responsibilities required of Presbytery in supervising Readers–in–Training;
• to encourage and train lay members of local Congregations to become Worship leaders
• to interview Graduate Candidates seeking ordination other than as a parish minister.
• to receive reports from part-time Hospital Chaplains;

Convenor: Rev Stephen Ogston
Email: SOgston@churchofscotland.org.uk

About the Convenor
Rev Stephen Ogston is the minister of Luce Valley and Inch l/w Portpatrick l/w Stoneykirk, in Wigtownshire. He enjoys photography, art, graphic design, and technology, and loves using these creatively across all areas of ministry. He also has an extensive collection of costumes, which he regularly uses in his work with schools.