Following recommendations of the Ad Hoc Commission, the 2009 synod convention placed the former Parish Services under the Conference of Presidents (COP). In October 2009 the COP reconfigured the former Parish Services units into a new Congregation and Ministry Support Group (CMSG).

"The convention spent considerable time discussing the role of the synod in helping to strengthen congregations and their members as they carry out their ministries. The convention recognized that the units of Parish Services provide valuable help to congregations, and it wanted to ensure that those resources are more widely accessible and utilized.

Since the district presidents are called to supervise doctrine and practice in congregations, the convention eliminated the Board for Parish Services and the position of BPS administrator and placed the units of Parish Services under the responsibility of the COP. The intent of this decision was to create a closer and more direct cooperative relationship between the district presidents and the resources available to them and the congregations in their districts" (Together e-news, Oct. 19, 2009).

The role of the CMSG is similar to the role of the former Parish Services, with the enhancements noted above. As stated in the 2009 Book of Reports and Memorials: "The role of [CMSG] is to provide direct assistance to congregations so that they might carry out gospel ministry in the most faithful way on the local level. . . .

"[CMSG] provides this assistance through its individual units that give focused attention to specific areas of congregational life. Resources that are offered include printed material, 'schools' for specialized leadership training, conferences, consultation, ministry networking, and Web connections. . . . Each unit of [CMSG] works with district coordinators to assess the particular needs of the district parishes and schools . . . " and to provide resources to meet those needs.

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