2016 Wesleyan Discipline: Pastoral agreement

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(3) To contract the pastoral relationship with local Wesleyan churches subject to the other provisions of this Constitution (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:313:6; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:323:1-2).

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(2) To call its own pastor, subject to confirmation by the district conference.

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(1) The right to take charge of all the ministers and churches within its bounds, as modified by 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:360:3e and 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:365 (except those serving the General Church as the General Conference shall define who shall be amenable to the General Board of Administration, and except the district superintendent who shall be amenable to the General Board of Administration), and subject to the right of the ministers and churches to enter into pastoral engagements.

(2) To alter the agreement entered into by any pastor and charge, or veto the action of the church and appoint another pastor on said charge when it deems this to be for the best interest of the charge or pastor involved or when the general interest of the work of the district would be better served by such change; and the said church or charge shall receive the pastor appointed by the district conference, provided that any such alteration of a previous arrangement between a pastor and church shall be separately reported and passed by vote of the district conference to be effective.

697. District Approval of Pastoral Agreement. A pastoral agreement, whether for an initial call or a renewal of call, must be reviewed and recommended by the district board of administration, and becomes final upon the approval of the district conference. Each year the district board of administration shall review those pastoral agreements which are continuing before making its report to the district conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1180:26; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:10). 723. Annual Review of Pastoral Support. The pastor’s cash salary and other benefits, including health insurance and employer contributions for the Wesleyan Pension Fund (WPF), shall be reviewed annually by the local board of administration prior to the annual session of the local church conference, whether or not a vote is being taken on the securing or retaining of a pastor. Proper health insurance coverage should be provided by the local church for pastor and family except in cases in which they have adequate coverage through other employment of pastor and/or spouse, or in the case of pastors serving in Canada, through the national health program. Full participation in the Wesleyan Pension Fund by the local church on behalf of all pastors is expected in the plan of support of all pastors. The obligation, responsibility, and liability for both health insurance premiums and employer contributions to WPF belong solely to the local church. The district and General Church have no obligation, responsibility, nor liability for these matters, either expressed or implied. A report of the final action on the pastor’s support, whether by the local board of administration or by the local church conference, shall be sent by the local board of administration in writing to both the pastor (or pastor-elect, cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:692:5) and the district superintendent (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:746). 1180

(26) To receive and pass upon the recommendations of the district board of administration concerning the pastoral agreements, appointments, and district conference relations, as follows (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:10):

(a) To approve the pastoral agreements entered into between the pastoral charges and the ministers, or to alter such an agreement, or to veto the action of the pastoral charge and appoint another pastor, provided that any such alteration or veto shall be for reasons as set forth in the Constitution, and shall be voted on as a separate action by the district conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:323:1-2; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:697).

(b) To appoint a pastor to those pastoral charges not yet supplied at the time of the district conference or whenever requested to do so by a local church (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:708) or to delegate such appointment to the district board of administration, and to appoint an interim pastor (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3261:2) or to employ a qualified person as a supply pastor when deemed necessary (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3260).

(c) To appoint each minister to the proper category of service or other appointment (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3250-3391), appointing each ordained minister not included on the appointed list (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:I:A) to the proper district conference relation as retired, on reserve, on educational leave, without appointment (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:I:B-E) or in process of transfer (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104); appointing each commissioned or licensed minister to the proper category of service (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:II:A-B; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:III:A-B; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3255-3391) or in the process of transfer (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104); to license as ministerial students those persons so qualified (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:IV; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3015:1); and to appoint as commissioned or licensed special workers, designating their particular ministry (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3450-3480), those who have been granted the proper commissions and licenses (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:V:A-C) or to list them as in process of transfer (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:V:B); and to appoint commissioned lay missionaries.