Local churches should consider providing a maternity or paternity leave for the pastor and associates. District superintendents should encourage local churches to adopt maternity/paternity leave policies.
Index: paid
129.10
In order to encourage a healthy pastoral ministry and strong spiritual life of the pastor, the church board, in consultation with the district superintendent, should provide a sabbatical leave for the pastor during each seventh consecutive year of service in one congregation. The timing and duration of the sabbatical shall be determined in consultation with the pastor, church board and district superintendent. It is strongly urged that the pastor’s salary continue in full and the church board provide for pulpit supply during the sabbatical period. This topic is to be addressed by the district superintendent as part of the church/pastoral review process that would come after year two and again in year six, once the viability of continuing the relationship has been established. Materials shall be developed and distributed by the Global Clergy Development office to guide local congregations in establishing and implementing a sabbatical leave policy and procedure. At the church board’s discretion, such a program may also be implemented for a member of the pastoral staff.
129.27
160
There may be those who feel called to prepare themselves for certain vital lay services in the church, either part-time or full-time. The church recognizes the place of such lay workers, and yet it is basically constituted a voluntary institution, with service to God and others the duty and privilege of all its members according to their abilities. When paid associates in the local church, or any subsidiary and/or affiliated corporations of the local congregation, whether ministerial or lay, become necessary for greater efficiency, it must be such as will not devitalize the spirit of free service by all its members or tax the church’s financial resources including the payment of all financial apportionments. However, a request may be made in writing for review by the district superintendent and District Advisory Board for exceptions in special cases. (129.27)
207.3
Upon the resignation or termination of the district superintendent, the staff members of the district office, the chief executive officer or any subsidiary and/or affiliated corporations of the district, paid and unpaid, such as assistant superintendent and office secretary, shall submit their resignations effective concurrently with the final date of the district superintendency. However, one or more of the staff members may remain with the written approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction and the District Advisory Board, but not longer than the date of the new superintendent’s assumption of duties. (242.3)
207.4
After consultation with the District Advisory Board and the approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction, the newly elected or appointed district superintendent may have the privilege of recommending the employment of staff members previously employed. (242.3)
208.13
To approve or disapprove in writing requests from the pastor and the local church board to have or to employ any unpaid associate pastors or paid local associates (such as associate pastors; ministers or directors of Christian education, children, youth, adult, music, childcare/schools {birth through secondary}, etc.). The primary criteria for the district superintendent’s decisions to approve or disapprove, in concept, the hiring of paid staff will be the willingness and ability of the church to meet its local, district, and general obligations. It is the pastor’s responsibility to screen and select pastoral associates. However, the district superintendent shall have the right to disapprove the nominee. (129.27, 160–160.8)
242
When paid assistants become necessary for the greater efficiency of the district administration, such persons, ministerial or lay, shall be nominated by the district superintendent, after having secured the written approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction. They shall be elected by the District Advisory Board. The employment of such assistants shall be for no more than one year but may be renewed by recommendation of the district superintendent and the majority vote of the Advisory Board. (208.16)
Index
For translating the index locators.