PASTORAL MINISTRY HANDBOOK | CHAPTER 15
Assigning Pastors
¶201 Philosophical Statements
The following statements identify the basic philosophy used by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, to make pastoral appointments.
1. Pastors Are Stationed, Not Called
In the United Brethren Church, authority for pastoral assignments rests solely with the bishop, in collaboration with the stationing committee. The final decision regarding a pastoral assignment does not belong to the local church or any of its leadership groups.
2. The Assignment Process Involves Dialogue
a. The stationing committee will communicate with the pastors and congregations involved in the assignment process, and will use all information received as a part of the decision-making process.
b. Both pastor and Personnel Relations Team are granted the right to consult with the stationing committee.
3. The Goal Is a Long-term Assignment
Because long-term assignments provide a better opportunity for qualitative and quantitative growth, the stationing committee will try to match congregational needs with pastoral strengths.
4. There Are No Guaranteed Appointments
a. Since the goal of the stationing committee is to match congregational needs and pastoral strengths, individual ministers may experience periods of time when they are not assigned to a local church.
b. Likewise, local churches may experience periods of time when they are without an assigned pastor.
5. Interim Pastors May be Used
The process of assigning pastors requires a thoroughness which often results in a temporary vacancy at a local congregation. In such instances, the local churches may be assigned an interim pastor to provide limited pastoral ministry until a permanent assignment can be made.
¶202 The Assignment Process
Assigning pastors consists of the following steps.
1. A Vacancy Occurs
This vacancy may result from a pastoral resignation, removal, death, or other incapacitation, or it may be initiated by the denomination.
2. Meeting with Local Leaders
When a vacancy has occurred, the bishop or designee shall meet with the leaders of the local church to explain the assignment process and evaluate the needs and vision of the congregation.
3. Formation of a Stationing Committee
The bishop will form a stationing committee to process this assignment. The stationing committee will consist of:
a. The bishop or designee as chairperson.
b. The local church’s cluster leader.
c. The chairperson of the local church’s Personnel Relations Team.
d. Other persons as determined appropriate by the bishop.
4. Completion of a Parish Profile
The locall church leadership will complete a Parish Profile, using the form prepared for this purpose. Responsibility for this rests with the local church.
5. Communication with the Prospective Candidate
a. Pastors interested in being considered as a candidate shall submit an updated Minister’s Profile to the stationing committee. Prospective candidates may be provided with the Parish Profile at their request.
b. Candidates who do not hold credentials with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ shall submit written responses to the questions asked of Provisional Ministers to the stationing committee (Ch. 9, ¶155) .
c. After reviewing the minister’s profiles of interested candidates, the stationing committee will interview as many candidates as necessary to agree upon a prospective candidate.
d. If the prospective candidate does not hold credentials with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, the prospective candidate must submit the results of the background check prescribed by the PMLT.
e. If the prospective candidate does not hold credentials with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, the prospective candidate must be interviewed for the Provisional License by a team made up of the stationing committee and a member of the PMLT. The recommendation for granting the license would be contingent upon the minister being assigned.
f. If the prospective candidate declines the assignment, another prospective candidate will be approached.
6. Communication with the Local Church
a. The stationing committee will present all documents provided by the prospective candidate for review by the Personnel Relations Team of the local church.
b. The Personnel Relations Team will conduct an initial interview with the candidate.
c. If the pastor is currently serving at another United Brethren congregation, he/she must notify the chairman of the Personnel Relations Team at the current church.
d. If desired, an interview may be conducted with the Local Board.
e. An “Agreement of Understanding” will be completed to document the understandings reached.
7. Assignment Is Announced
Following the signing of the Agreement of Understanding, the bishop’s office will announce the assignment. The pastor will be given ample time to inform his/her present church of the new assignment.
¶203 Assignment of Associate Staff Members
The Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, recognizes the need for multi-pastor congregations to create staff relationships which meet their special interpersonal and directional needs. As such, within the framework of the stationing committee process, the denomination grants these congregations the right to request and receive resumes, interview candidates, and designate the person they deem best for associate staff positions, with the following understandings:
1. The final decision for employing and terminating associate staff members rests solely with the local church.
2. The bishop must be informed of any United Brethren ministers under consideration.
3. If a church hires someone who does not hold a United Brethren ministerial license, the national conference is not obligated to provide licensing.
4. While the primary accountability relationship rests with the senior pastor, ministers licensed by the national conference are required to participate in all annual reporting and accountability processes required by the national conference.
¶204 Special Appointment Assignments
1. Stationing committees may appoint national conference ministers and elders to special appointment assignments, such as chaplains, missionaries, and general officials.
2. These appointments are made on the request of the minister or elder called to such service.
¶205 Assignment of Non-United Brethren Pastors
Ordained or licensed clergy in other Christian denominations or independent churches may be appointed to serve as pastors at United Brethren churches under the following requirements:
1. Conditions
a. Such pastors must be in good standing in the church or denomination in which they are licensed.
b. Such pastors must provide valid ministerial credentials.
c. Such pastors shall be examined by a Ministerial Licensing and Ordination Team to determine matters of:
(1) Personal integrity.
(2) Commitment to the Christian faith.
(3) Ministerial call.
(4) Relationships with others.
(5) Spiritual maturity.
(6) Understanding of and agreement with the doctrinal distinctives, history, and polity of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA.
d. A positive recommendation must be made by a stationing committee and the Ministerial Licensing and Ordination Team.
e. Such pastors must sign a document affirming the Confession of Faith and Core Values, along with a statement agreeing to serve under the authority of the bishop.
f. Such pastors shall not be granted a vote in the national conference or in national conference elections, including any referenda.
2. Reporting
Such pastors will file an annual report with the bishop and cluster leader.
3. Accountability
Such pastors will be required to participate in and be accountable to a cluster.
¶206 Removal of Senior Pastors
Senior Pastors may be removed by action of the bishop, or by action of the local board in collaboration with the bishop.
