District Resources

This page contains a variety of forms for district leadership. This includes resources for a district office, forms for the local church and pastoral review, and forms for District Superintendents to use with pastors on their districts. For information on the District Superintendents Leadership Development Program (DSLDP) and the DSLDP conference, visit our DSLDP page.

District Office Forms:

Sample District Newsletter
District Ministries Survey - District effectiveness Pastoral survey
District Policies Manual
Southwest Ohio District Resources Forms and Policies
West Virginia North District Resources Forms and Policies

Pastoral/Local Church

Laity and Church Board

Agenda Local Board - Provides an example agenda for pastors to follow when holding monthly board meetings
Release Member Request - Statement of lay member release for local church
Abuse Prevention Policies and Forms
Prevention of Sexual Misconduct
Facilities Use Policy (English, Korean, Spanish, French, Portuguese)

Pastoral Review

Preparation for a Pastoral Review - A church board member self evaluation form (printable form)
Church/Pastor Review Questionnaire - Specific questions for church boards and pastors
Pastoral Review Process - A detailed pdf file regarding the review process
Simple Review Process - Three simple questions to help in the review process
Process Outline and Form - Review process outline and written understandings form for church boards and pastors
Pastoral Review Survey - A detailed survey form in a pdf format
Congregational Survey Form - Specific questions for the congregation at pastoral review time
Special Pastoral Review - Guidelines for use when a continued pastoral relationship is in question
Pastoral Review: A Positive Inquiry Approach - A method of pastoral review that focuses on the positive reality of where things are now, and the positive future of where the could be.

Relation with the District Superintendent

Annual Visit, etc. - Provides expectations for pastors regarding annual D.S. visit, visit with church board, and special needs
Approval to Borrow Money - Approval form for churches desiring a loan, especially to build a facility
Approval to Build - Approval form for churches that are planning to build a structure, add to an existing structure, do major remodeling, or construct a site amenity such as a parking lot or recreational area
Approval to Purchase Existing Property - Approval form for churches seeking to purchase a building
Approval to Purchase Land - Approval form for churches seeking to purchase land
Approval to Remodel - Approval form for "minor" remodeling
Reversionary Clause - To be included in all deeds for any new properties purchased or old deeds changed in any way
Approval to Hire Staff - Example letter from D.S. approvaing hiring of staff, as per 2001-2005 Manual paragraph 162.1
District Policy for Hiring Staff - Outlines guidelines for hiring church staff, as per provision of the Manual
Request to Renew an Assistant - Annual request form for renewal of tenure for paid/unpaid assistants
Request to Retain an Assistant - Provisions for retaining an assistant (paid/unpaid) in the local church as outlined in the 2001-2005 Manual

Goals, Expectations, and Awards for Pastors

Preparation for Church/Pastor Review - This is a church board member self-evaluation
Basic Self Study - A form that states local church mission statement and assesses how well the church is doing in meeting their goals and expectations for ministry
Pastoral Expectations for Excellence - Outlines several areas of expectations for pastors in the district
Relationship of D.S. and Pastor - Describes expectations between the D.S. and the local pastor, in terms of what each can expect from the other while serving the district
Relationship of D.S. and Associate
Associate Renewal Process - A summary of the renewal process for staff
The D.S. May Provide - List of items the D.S. will provide to the pastor

Ceremonies

Adoption Ceremony - A Ritual for New Adoptive Parents

Inactive Church Members

Inactive Member Sample Letter - Sample form letter for pastors to use in notification of "inactive" church member

Manual Statements Important to Membership, Pastoral Calling, and Ministry

Local Church Membership (Manual 27, 107-112, 801)
Calling a Pastor (Manual 115-119.1)
Church-Pastor Relationship (Manual 116, 120-123.1)
Laity and Staff Assitants (Manual 162)
Ministry and Christian Service (Manual 412-419)
Ministerial Confidentiality (Manual 433.14)

Resignation and Moving Minister Information

Moving Arrangements for Pastors - Information on moving to a new pastoral assignment, as information on tenure and membership
Pastoral Review - Church Board Appointment - Memo to local church board about church/pastor review
Pastor's Resignation Check List Off District - Resignation check list
Release Letter - Letter which releases pastor from local church membership upon resignation
Resign Pastor - List of procedures to follow when resigning as pastor from a local church

Prospective Pastor Information and Church Health Assessments

Prospective Pastor Questionnaire - A questionnaire for prospective pastors seeking church appointments to fill out and send to the D.S.
Questions for Pastoral Candidates - Series of questions, grouped by category, for pastoral candidates. Categories include family history, spirituality, leadership philosophy and style, preaching and worship style, etc.
Rate Our Church - Questionnaire in Excel spreadsheet format that rates church health
Core Values - An assessment form to determine core values
Expectations - A church survey to access pastoral expectations
Governing Board Assessment - An audit for boards to assess board health

District Superintendents/Personnel Forms

Credentials

Credentials Board Questions for Interviews - Sample questions for prospective ministerial candidates
Ordination/Recognition Questionnaire - Application form for ordination candidates or ministers requesting recognition of credentials
Ordination Interview Questions - Questions for applicants seeking ordination
Covenant Categories
Tabulation Form
Credentials Board Candidate Interview Form
Ministerial Development - Process overview chart
Ministerial Development - Guidelines and process

Ministerial Assessment

Brochure - A sample Assessment Center Brochure
Schedule - A sample Assessment Center Schedule
Weekend Schedule
Schedule with Groups - A sample schedule with groups
Letters: Sample Letter 1 - Sample Letter 2
Marriage Assessment Process - Details on what will be involved in this process
Charge to the Candidates - Words to challenge new ministers
Address to Candidates - District Superintendent addresses the candidates
Conflict Resolution - An exercise to assess conflict resolution skills
Conflict Resolution Assessors Evaluation Form
Spiritual Formation - An assignment to aid in the assessment of spiritual formation
Outreach Event - Evaluation Form

Conduct and Discipline Information

Discipline of Layperson - Sample policy form that explains the objectives of church discipline
District Center Conduct Code - Expectations of conduct, by Manual provision, for all guests, campers and cottage owners of any district center

District Assembly Information

District Assembly Checklist - A list of items to do (mostly) before and after the assembly
District SSM Chairperson Job Description - Outlines the basic responsibilities of the District Sunday School Chairperson
Church Excellence Awards - An Excel spreadsheet which lists the categories of excellence and records the status of each local church
District Award of Excellence Description Sheet - Describes for pastors the excellence in ministry award categories for the upcoming district assembly. Churches that achieve "excellence status" will be recognized and honored at the district assembly
Vision 2020 Projection Card - A printable PDF card that allows churches to record their growth goals for the year 2020 (also available in Spanish)

Pastoral Transition

Pastoral Transition Board Meeting - Questionnaire for local church board during pastoral transition. Asks several questions about what qualities are desired in a pastor
Pastoral Transition Initial Agenda - Example agenda for initial church board meeting regarding pastoral transition
Pastoral Transition - A pdf file for the entire process

New Church and ReFocus

Church Planter Covenant - A NewStart covenant between the church and the district
District Policies for NewStarts and ReFocus Churches

Clergy Reinstatement/Restoration

Suggested Rehabilitation Program
The Process of Response, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation, and the Restoration of the Clergy
Request for Consideration of Return/Restoration of Credentials
Restoration Process and Application
Board Member Profile - Outlines the ministry qualification of the board member and their perception of the local church's ministry
Church Board Registration - Lists church board officers and their assignments, and registers board attendance when the D.S. meets with the Church Board

Church Properties Board

Church Properties Board Excerpt - Outlines the duties and responsibilities of the church properties board

Ceremonies

Installation & Bonding Services

Organizational Services for New Churches:

Organizational Service - Sample Ceremony
The Act of Organization of a New Church - Sample Ceremony

Letters

Review Approve Letter to Church - Letter from D.S. affirming the continuation of the ministry of the senior pastor of the church
Welcome NMI Letter District Move - Welcome letter from district NMI rep to local pastor
Welcome Local Move
Welcome SSM Letter District Move

Review

Review Form - A form for the district advisory board to use for the District Superintendent's Review

Sabbatical

Sabbatical - Policies concerning a sabbatical for the D.S. and Assistant D.S.