Guide to the Covenant Network of Presbyterians Records

This collection contains correspondence, minutes from strategy meetings, and legal resources created by the Covenant Network of Presbyterians as the group primarily worked to revise ordination standards in the Book of Order while maintaining unity across the Presbyterian Church (USA). Most of the files were created and maintained by Pam Byers, the first Executive Director of the Covenant Network. 

The Meetings and Conferences series, 1997-2011, contains minutes, dockets, and planning correspondence related to strategy meetings, executive committee meetings, and board meetings of the Covenant Network. This series also contains planning notes, programs, photographs, and audiocassettes from the Covenant Network’s annual conferences hosted each November. Audio recordings (MP3 files ripped from DVDs) for the 2008 through the 2011 annual conferences are available.

Also included in this series are five folders of correspondence (primarily from John Buchanan or Pam Byers to other members of the Covenant Network) arranged chronologically. The correspondence includes notes on the initial formation of the Covenant Network, meeting memos, conference planning, General Assembly strategizing, and thank you letters to donors.

The Legal Resources series, 1998-2008, contains subject files on cases that were brought before the Permanent Judicial Commission. These include correspondence related to the charges, accusation letters, statements of dissent, and briefs. Also included is correspondence and publications from the Covenant Network on how to handle charges brought against churches that were ordaining LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians or officiating same-sex marriages. (Note that some folders in this series are restricted as they contain sensitive information related to ordination disputes throughout the PC(USA). Inquire with the PHS Executive Director for permission to view this material.)

The Subject Files series, 1987-2011, contains files on specific issues or topics that staff worked on such as passing Amendment A, responding to the Call to Sabbatical, or creating the documentary “Turning Points.” The files vary, but include correspondence, publications, news clippings, and reports.