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Local Church PPR/SPR Committee Handbook. Utah/Western Colorado District of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church. A Prayer for Pastor and People.
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Local Church PPR/SPR Committee Handbook Utah/Western Colorado District of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church
A Prayer for Pastor and People Gracious and Ever-loving God, help us to remember always that ours is a sacred trust from you as we seek to enhance relations between pastor and people. May we know we are in this relationship together with you. Guide us in our quest for honesty and fairness. Help us to be quick to listen and slow to judge. Strengthen us in our ability to sift through the petty as we seek to expose that which is worthy of our thought and attention. Inspire us to stick to issues and not stick it to each other. When things are going well, let us rejoice and be grateful. When things are not going so well, let us reaffirm our faith in Christ and patiently and lovingly work toward a solution. Teach us humility in all our working relationships and help us to exemplify the spirit of the Christ in dialogue and in deed. Give us strength, courage and understanding as we strive to be accountable as pastor and people. And let us forever be grateful that we are part of the United Methodist Church. We offer our prayer and thanksgiving in the name of Jesus. Amen. ~ Lonnie Johnston
Why do we need training? • To understand the role of the committee • To help the committee address concerns in a healthy way • To help the pastor to be as effective as possible in the church • To help the church work more effectively with pastors • To help us all become better church leaders
True or False? When a church wants a new pastor, the SPRC chairperson holds a meeting with the congregation to take a vote.
SPRC confers with the DS and the church to determine how the best interests of church & pastor can be served • Committee cooperates with the pastor, district superintendent, and bishop • Committee relationship with DS & bishop is advisory only • The Bishop, in consultation with the SPRC and the Cabinet, appoints pastors
True or False? The SPRC does not have to meet unless there is a crisis in pastoral leadership.
True or False? At least one youth or young adult should serve on the SPRC.
One of the members shall be a young adult and one member may be a youth.
True or False? If the pastor’s spouse is the lay member of annual conference, then s/he can serve on the SPRC.
No staff member or immediate family member of a pastor or staff member may serve on the committee.
True or False? Since the Lay Member to Annual Conference and the Lay Leader serve as committee members by virtue of their offices, they do not have a vote.
True or False? The SPRC may meet only with the knowledge of the pastor and/or the district superintendent.
Committee meets only with the knowledge of the pastor and/or DS.
True or False? The SPRC annually enlists and recommends persons from their congregation for ordained ministry.
SPRC role is to: • Enlist • Interview • Evaluate • Review • And recommend annually to charge conference lay ministers & persons for candidacy for ordained ministry
True or False? The SPRC is the group in the church charged to interpret the work of the Ministerial Education Fund to the congregation.
SPRC interprets to congregation the process of preparation for ordained ministry and the role of the Ministerial Education Fund
True or False? The SPRC has the responsibility of developing and updating regularly a personnel policy manual for all church employees.
True or False? When a vacancy occurs in pastoral leadership, the Bishop provides a list of available clergy names, which the SPRC prioritizes for interviews.
True or False? The SPRC should poll the congregation every year to determine whether or not to keep their pastor.
The SPRC should cultivate an art of listening to the congregation to assess the effectiveness of the pastor. They should NOT: Poll the church Ask congregants leading questions Hold a “town hall” styled meeting to assess the pastor’s popularity Invite and share anonymous complaints about the pastor or staff
The SPRC SHOULD: Listen, listen, listen Weigh complaints and determine whether a problem is shared by many or only a few Be non-anxious in conflict Share complements as well as complaints Invite conversation around the strengths and gifts of the pastor Be specific in addressing problems; avoid generalities and sharing anonymous comments
True or False? Conflict should be avoided, if possible, to maintain harmony in the church.
Where two or more are gathered together, there will be conflict. When addressed with genuine care and consideration, conflict can be beneficial to the health of the church and the pastor. Guidelines to help with “holy conferencing” can be found in the resources section of this presentation.
True or False? An ordained deacon is a layperson who plans activities at the church.
Deacons are persons: • Called by God • Authorized by the Church • Ordained by the bishop to a lifetime ministry of Word & Service to both community & congregation in ministry that connects the two.
Ministry of Deacon Ordained to Word and service Gives leadership in the church’s life Called and set apart for ministry of service Conference membership Appointment
True or False? An ordained elder is at least 55 years old and teaches younger clergy how to be pastors.
Elders are persons: • Called by God • Authorized by the Church • Ordained by the bishop to Word, Sacrament and Order.
Ministry of Elder Ordained to Word, sacrament and order Give spiritual & temporal leadership in the church’s life Are members of the conference rather than the local church Are appointed by the bishop Are eligible for consideration as a Bishop
True or False? A licensed Local Pastor can perform fully as a pastor of the church where he/she is appointed.
Licensed Local Pastor May perform all duties of a pastor, including: • Sacraments of baptism, Holy Communion • Service of marriage, burial, confirmation, membership reception • License may be renewed annually • Upon completion of the Course of Study, a Local Pastor may apply for Associate Membership.
True or False? A Certified Lay Minister is appointed by the bishop.