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Staff Parish

Pastor Parish Relations Committee

 

Mitch Glover,  ChairPerson                                                                       

The following is a paraphrased summary of the description of the PPRC as found in the Book of Discipline (BOD).                       

Para. 259.2: There shall be a pastor-parish relations committee (a.k.a. - staff-parish relations committee)

Para. 249.8: Co-chairpersons are not allowed for this committee

 Membership

  • no less than five or more than nine lay representatives of the total charge

  • if more than one church is on a charge, at least one person from each church

  • must be professing members of the church

  • one must be a young adult (if there are young adults) and one may be a youth

  • no staff member or immediate family member of a staff person shall serve on this committee

  • no two persons from the same household may serve on this committee at the same time

  • membership should be divided into three classes serving a three year term

  • ex-officio with vote (in addition to those listed above)

    • lay leader

    • a lay member to annual conference

  • Ex Officio without vote: Pastor (if more than one, just the senior pastor) The pastor must be informed of every meeting and has the right to attend and have voice at every meeting. If the district superintendent is going to be present, the DS may instruct the pastor not to attend. In such case the pastor must be informed immediately of any decision.

  • Associate pastors and lay staff shall have access to the PPRC, but are not required to know of each meeting and do not attend unless invited.

Meeting Frequency: must meet at least quarterly. The chairperson, the pastor, the district superintendent, or the bishop may call a meeting.

Duties:

  1. Encourage and strengthen the pastor and staff

  2. Promote unity in the church(es)

  3. Work with the pastor and staff on effectiveness in ministry and the relationship with the congregation.

  4. Confer with staff on their use of skills and time and the demands associated with the ministry.

  5. Provide evaluation at least annually

  6. Communicate and interpret to the congregation the open itinerancy, the preparation for ordained ministry, and the Ministerial Education Fund.

  7. Develop and approve written job descriptions for the associate pastors and other staff members in cooperation with the senior pastor. (The pastor/senior pastor's job description is already outlined in the Book of Discipline, Para. 340.)

  8. Consult with the pastor and staff regarding continuing education opportunities.

  9. Be attentive to those in the congregation whom God may be calling into the ministry and recommend candidates for the ordained ministry.

  10. To interpret preparation for ordained ministry and the Ministerial Education Fund to the congregation.

  11. To confer with the pastor(s) when the committee believes that a pastoral change is in the best interest of the congregation. The committee will cooperate with the pastor, the district superintendent, and the bishop in securing clergy leadership. The relationship of this committee to the DS and bishop is 'advisory' only.

  12. To recommend to the church council any staff positions needed to carry out the ministry of the congregation. There should be a policy in place for the hiring, evaluating, and terminating of lay staff. Until an official policy is in writing, the PPRC and the pastor jointly have authority in such matters.

  • Lay Benefits: As of Jan. 1, 2006, the committee shall recommend to the church council: all lay employees over 21 years of age, who work at least 1040 hours a year, and have worked for at least one year, shall have 100% vested pension benefits of at least 3%. The committee shall also recommend to the church council adequate life and health insurance for all lay employees.

  1. Large churches may recommend the formation of a personnel committee to relate to the lay staff. It must include some members of the PPRC, plus additional members elected by the charge conference.

  2. Educate the church members of the value of diversity of selection regarding clergy and lay staff.

  3. The members of the committee should stay up to date on matters of personnel issues as they relate to church standards, professional standards, and civil law.

  4. Consult with pastor and church council on:

  • pulpit supply when pastor is away

  • compensation

  • travel expense

  • vacation

  • health and life insurance

  • pension

  • housing

  • either a church owned parsonage (see Conference Parsonage Standards)

  • the PPRC chairperson, the trustee chairperson, and the pastor shall make an annual review of the parsonage

  • or a housing allowance