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
- CMC Annual Information update form
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
- Bonding Ceremony
- Installation Service
- Installation Abbreviated
- Installation Service Slides
- Installation Service Sample Cover
- Pastor and Church Covenant of Dedication
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 - Clergy sabbatical info
- Sabbatical - Example of a DS sabbatical request letter