Text of: 1263-262.02

The Committee recommends concurrence as amended as follows:

Amend 262.2; sixth sentence of 262e); replace text in 262.2f (1) through (4) and renumber current text accordingly; add a new subparagraph at the end:

262.2 [Delete current text.] There shall be elected annually by the charge conference in each local church a committee on pastor-parish relations or staff-parish relations who are professing full members of the local church or charge or associate members (¶228), except in cases where central conference legislation or local law provides otherwise. People serving on this committee must be engaged in and attentive to their Christian spiritual development so as to give proper leadership in the responsibilities with which the committee is entrusted.

In conducting its work, the committee shall identify and clarify its values for ministry. It shall engage in biblical and theological reflections on the mission of the church, the primary task, and ministries of the local church. The committee shall reflect biblically and theologically on the role and work of the pastor(s) and staff as they carry out their leadership responsibilities.

The committee shall assist the pastor(s) and staff in assessing their gifts and setting priorities for leadership and service. It is the responsibility of the committee to communicate with committee on lay leadership and/or the church council when there is a need for other leaders or for employed staff to perform in areas where utilization of the gifts of the pastor(s) and staff proves an inappropriate stewardship of time.

a) The committee shall be composed of not fewer than five nor more than nine persons representative of the total charge. One of the members shall be a young adult and one member may be a youth. In addition, the lay leader and a lay member of the annual conference shall be members. No staff member or immediate family member of a pastor or staff member may serve on the committee. Only one person from an immediate family residing in the same household shall serve on the committee.

b) In order to secure experience and stability, the membership shall be divided into three classes, one of which shall be elected each year for a three-year term. The lay member and the lay leader of the annual conference are exempt from the three-year term. To begin the process of rotation where such a process has not been in place, on the first year one class shall be elected for one year, one class for two years, and one class for three years. Retiring members of the committee shall not succeed themselves. When vacancies occur during the year, nominees shall be elected at the church council (or alternative church structure).

262.2e) However, the pastor or any member of the staff under consideration shall be notified prior to such meeting at which his or her appointment/employment is discussed and be brought into consultation immediately thereafter.

262.2f The duties of the committee shall include the following:

(1) [Delete current text.]To confer with, consult, and counsel the pastor(s) and staff on the matters pertaining to the effectiveness of ministry; relationships with the congregation; conditions that may impede the effectiveness of ministry; and to interpretation of interpret the nature and function of the ministry; as the context of service;

(2) [Delete current text.]To confer with, consult, and counsel the pastor(s) and staff on matters pertaining to priorities in the use of gifts, skills, and time and priorities for the demands and effectiveness of the mission and ministry of the congregation;

(3) [Delete current text.] To provide evaluation at least annually for the use of the pastor(s) and staff in an ongoing effective ministry and for identifying continuing educational needs and plans;

(4) [Delete current text.]To communicate and interpret to the congregation the nature and function of ministry in The United Methodist Church regarding cross-racial appointments, appointments of women, open itinerancy, the preparation for ordained ministry, and the Ministerial Education Fund;

(5) [Delete current text.]To develop and approve written job descriptions and titles for associate pastors and other staff members in cooperation with the senior pastor. The term associate pastor is used as a general term to indicate any pastoral appointment in a local church other than the pastor in charge (see ¶ 330). Committees shall be encouraged to develop specific titles for associate pastors that reflect the job descriptions and expectations.

Add new subparagraph at end:

Members of the committee on pastor-parish relations (or staff-parish relations) shall keep themselves informed of personnel matters in relationship to the Church's policy, professional standards, liability issues, and civil law. They are responsible for communicating and interpreting such matters to staff. Committee members should make themselves available for educational and training opportunities provided by the conference, district, and/or other arenas, that will enable them to be effective in their work.

 

 

 

 

Info About Calendar Item 1263-262.02

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