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
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