S/PPRC Training

2015-2016Welcome !

Christian Lifestyle, Leadership, and Spiritual Development

Scripture Lessons for the Session and Beyond

Matthew 28:16-20; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 1:9-11; Jude 1:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:14-20; Exodus 18:13-26; Acts 6:1-7; Acts 2:36-47; 1 Corinthians 12:1,4-13; 1 Peter 5:1-5

Prayerfully reflect on the what the Spirit of God is saying to us about the proper lifestyle and leadership needed for us to live out our calling of Christian discipleship among and with God’s people as we lead responsibly. (10 minutes)

The First Responsibility of S/PPRC Members

People serving on this committee must be engaged in and be attentive to their Christian Spiritual [Formation and] Development so as to give proper leadership in the

responsibilities with which the committee is entrusted. ¶ 258.2; 2012 BOD.

The Local Church

Matthew 20:16-20

Go, therefore and make disciples of peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them obedience in all things I have commanded you; and remember I am with you always, even to the ends of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

EPHESIANS 4:15-16 (NRSV)

But speaking the truth in love,we must grow up in every way

into him who is the head, into Christ

from whom the whole body,joined and knit together by

every ligament with which it is equipped,

as each part is working properlypromotes the body’s growth in

building itself up in love.

The Local Church

THE COMMITTEEON PASTOR-PARISH RELATIONSOR STAFF-PARISH RELATIONS

Minimum of 5 elected members, Maximum of 9, not including Lay Leader and Lay Delegate, who are voting members.

Must be professing member or associate member

Members elected for 3 year term with 1/3 being elected annually.

Members on PPRC may succeed themselves for one additional term for a total of 6 years.

No staff or immediate family of staff may serve.Only 1 person from immediate family in same

household may serve.Chair is nominated by Committee on

Nominations & LeadershipAll members elected at Charge ConferenceA young adult SHALL be included on PPRC (19-

30).A youth MAY be included on PPRC (12-18).

PARAGRAPH 258.2 SAYS THE PPRC…

…is required to meet at least quarterly.…meeting may be called by the bishop, DS,

pastor, any staff member, or the PPRC chair…cannot meet without the knowledge of the

pastor and/or DS…may meet with DS without the pastor or

staff member present, but they must be have prior notice and brought into consultation immediately after the meeting.

…shall meet in “closed session, and information shared in the committee shall be confidential.”

Multiple Church Charges

There is ONE Charge-wide PPRC with all churches represented in the elected membership of the committee. Membership is based on percentage paid on salary with minimum of 1 person from each church.

When one church has concerns, the members of the PPRC from that church can meet separately with knowledge of the Pastor and/or DS

MEETING SCHEDULE July-September/Third Quarter-Do a “check in” with pastor and staff

regarding goals/priorities that were set in first quarter.

-If a new pastor, meet monthly -Begin work on SPRC budget, staff/clergy

salaries October-December/Fourth Quarter-October is National Pastor Appreciation

Month- Annual Evaluation -Advisory Response Forms-Possible Christmas gift/bonus for pastor/staff

SUGGESTED MEETING SCHEDULE January-March/First Quarter

Discuss prior year’s evaluation of clergy and staff with new S/PPRC membersSet goals with clergy and staff

Consultation with DS if pastor changeApril-June/Second Quarter

Possible introductory visit with new pastorParsonage visit/assess housing costsFarewell and welcome events if pastor change Support the pastor and staff in time of change

DUTIES OF THE PPRC

To encourage, strengthen, nurture, support, and respect the pastor(s) and staff and their families

To promote unity in the church(es)To confer with and counsel the pastor(s)

and staff on the matters of effectiveness and relationship with the congregation

To confer with and counsel the pastor(s) and staff pertaining to priorities in the use of his or her gifts, skill, and time

DUTIES

To provide annual evaluation of pastor and staff and continuing education needs

To communicate and interpret to the congregation the nature and function of ministry regarding open itinerancy

To develop and approve job descriptions and titles for associate pastors and staff

To consult with the pastor and staff concerning continuing education and spiritual renewal

DUTIES

To enlist, interview, evaluate, review, and recommend annually to the charge conference candidates for ordained ministry

To interpret preparation for ordained ministry

To promote the Ministerial Education Fund

To confer with the pastor and /or other appointed members of the staff when a change is in the best interest of all; when there is no personnel policy about dismissal PPRC and Pastor must agree to dismiss someone

DUTIES

To recommend to the Church Council, after consultation with the pastor, the need for additional staff whether employee or contract

To recommend to the charge conference, when the size of the staff makes it desirable to have a Personnel Committee

To educate the church on the value of diversity of selection of clergy/staff

DUTIESMembers of the PPRC shall keep informed of

personnel matters in relationship to Church policy, professional standards, liability issues, & civil law; and recommend personnel policies to Ch. Council.

To consult on matters pertaining to pulpit supply, proposals for compensation , travel expense, vacation, health and life insurance, pension, housing

To make annual salary recommendations to the Church Council for action after presenting them to the Finance Committee for information. Final action on salary is responsibility of the Charge Conference.

NEW HIRE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Federal Requirements:I-9 Form: Verification of EmploymentThe local church needs to have this form on file for each employee of the church, this includes the minister.

Acceptable I.D. documents are Driver’s License, Passport, Social Security Card, Voter Registration, Official Birth Certificate, etc.

NEW HIRE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

South Carolina Requirements:

For New Hires the local church needs notify South Carolina Department of Social Services, see www.scnewhire.com

E-Verify: A church must verify newly hired lay employees through the Federal E-Verify Database at www.uscis.gov/e-verify . Clergy are exempt from this requirement.

CLERGY RECRUITMENT

“Within The United Methodist Church, there are those called to servant leadership, lay and ordained. Such callings are evidenced by specific gifts, evidence of God’s grace, and promise of usefulness.” 2012The Book of Discipline, Paragraph 138

The Pastor Parish Relations Committee is responsible for identifying and recruiting persons who are receiving God’s call to ministry as a vocation.Are YOU fulfilling this important responsibility?

HELPING PERSONS RESPOND

THE CALL TO PASTORAL MINISTRY

A candidate must be a member of a UMC or from a UMC Campus Ministry.

The person should talk with the pastor, the DS, and then contact Clergy Services to begin candidacy.

During candidacy, the PPRC interviews the candidate, before recommending to the Charge Conference.

CRITERIA FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTRY

Good relational skills.Able to articulate the Gospel, and live it

too.Positive growing relationships in

congregationThe pastor leads the church in growth,

health.Challenges the church to move outward

in mission, connect with community.

EFFECTIVE MINISTRY CONTINUED…

Adequate time spent in the parish…office hours, availability to parishioners, visitation, teaching.

Supportive of Connectional Ministry…interancy, apportionments, ecumenical, participates in District and Conference

Self-care…spiritual, physical, emotional

GIVING FEEDBACK TO CLERGYDo you listen politely to concerns of

church members and of your pastor(s)?

Are you meeting regularly with your pastor(s)/clergy to give them feedback, not just at evaluation time?

Are you being honest, speaking truth in love?

Do you maintain confidentiality?

EVALUATION PROCESS

SPRC Chair provides copy of Assessment to all SPRC members.

Each person fills it out and brings to meeting. The pastor may also do a self-assessment, reflecting on his/her performance.

Open discussion with clergy and then S/PPRC fills out a composite Assessment Document. This should be agreed upon by all members!

YOUR ROLE IN YOUR PASTOR’S EDUCATION

The evaluation process should address areas where continuing education and growth are needed.

Local Pastors must participate regularly in COS.

Pastors who have completed the basic education must participate each year in Continuing Education; 3 CEU’s avg (30 contact hrs).

Churches shall give min. $750 for Cont Educ.

Growing pastors are important to growing churches.

Education time is not vacation time.

ITINERANCYOne of the most characteristic features of

the United Methodist Church.Pastors are appointed to serve from year to

year where they are needed by the Bishop.

At least annually, each pastor/clergy and pastoral charge is evaluated and reviewed.

Itinerancy was instituted by John Wesley in 1746 when he appointed lay preachers whom he called “helpers” to definitive circuits.

Wesley died believing in itinerancy as “The Apostolic Plan of Evangelization.”

Mission and needs of churches have priority over personal professional goals of pastors.

A pastor’s family needs are considered, but may not always be addressed or fulfilled.

The Cabinet works for the benefit of the whole Conference with superintendents sharing openly, candidly, and confidentially.

Every appointment has ambiguity, and there are no “perfect” churches or pastors.

THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS 2015-16

ADVISORY RESPONSE FORMS

Two options for pastors and the Pastor Parish Relations Committee:

CONTINUE in present appointment

CHANGE pastoral appointment

Pastor and PPRC returns their Advisory Response Forms no later than December 15, 2015 to DS.

ADVISORY RESPONSE FORMS

Don’t “poll” the congregation, but do announce the process has begun.

Do try to reach consensus in SPRC…this is better than voting.

Do explain your decision in the space provided.

Do talk with the pastor (not just about)

All SPRC members and pastor sign the form.

EMPHASIS ON LOCAL CHURCH

The Pastor and Church Profiles are due December 15, 2015. It is very important to have accurate and updated profiles! These help the Cabinet understand the needs and opportunities in churches and the gifts of pastors. Profiles are on-line at www.umcsc.org.

The Pastor Profile is done by the pastor and the Church Profile is done by SPRC. This is your “introduction” to your new pastor or church!

ON MOVING PREACHERSJOHN WESLEY SAID:

“…I should myself preach even my congregation ‘asleep’ were I to stay in one place an entire year.”

“No one whom I ever yet knew has all the talents which are needful for beginning, continuing, and perfecting the work of grace in a whole congregation.”

HOW CHURCHES CAN SUSTAIN PASTORAL EXCELLENCE

Remember Christ is the head of the body, be body-focused, not pastor-focused.

Be full of grace and truth with your pastor

Cultivate healthy attitudes toward change

Accept conflict or differences as normal in a church.

THE SPRC ROLE IN CONFLICT RESOLUTIONAvoid the triangle. If a church member

complains to you about the pastor, ask them to talk directly with the pastor first about their concerns.

If the SPRC has concerns, do not call the DS first, but rather talk with the pastor first.

Do not give credence to anonymous complaints.

When addressing concerns with your pastor, do so prayerfully, lovingly, always looking at both sides of an issue. Seek common ground.