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2. How can we, Staff Parish Relations Committee help the pastor stay excited in his/her ministry? 3. What is available to help the pastor access the needs of his/her congregation? 7. What training/books/meetings are available for the SPPRC committee? 8. Is there an SPPRC advocate at the Conference Office? 9. Is there a lawyer available for SPPR/C chairpersons at the Conference Office? 10. How do the SPPR/C respond to a complaint against clergy, lay staff or lay volunteers?
Evaluation is a continuous process for the pastor and the congregation. It helps the pastor assess their effectiveness in their ministry and also to discern what God’s call is for his/her continuation in their ministry. The evaluation process also helps the clergy see what areas they need to improve or expand. The continuing education process helps the clergy to develop in areas that either he/she or the congregation need. 2. How can we, Staff Parish Relations Committee help the pastor stay excited in his/her ministry? Encourage the pastor to attend several training sessions that are offered through out the Rocky Mountain Conference area and the National level. The purpose of these training sessions not only motivates them it also allows them to interact with many other clergy and share stores. Spiritual Growth programs are offered and after a clergy has held six years of full-time appointments he/she may request a formational or spiritual growth leave of up to six months or a sabbatical of up to one year while continuing to hold an appointment in the local church. (Book of Discipline 2000 ¶349 and 350)
3. What is available to help the pastor access the needs of his/her congregation? An evaluation process can be done with the congregation and the pastor. There is an evaluation available at the District Office by calling 719-481-6448 or emailing at MHPP1@rmcumc.com. This will help you see what direction the congregation and the pastor are wanting to go. Go to the Rocky Mountain Conference website: http://www.RMCUMC.org. Look at the index and click on Sub-Districts, New Forms, and lastly click on the “Clergy Compensation” form. This form can be filled out on line using the “XL” format, interactive on line. As numbers are entered on line the compensation will be automatically calculated. The District Superintendent’s office keeps a list of pastors available for pastoral supply when there are emergencies in the local churches. The District Superintendent will also give direction such as resource agencies available depending on the circumstances.
The SPPR/C is the hiring body of the church. Whether a janitor, or organist or administrative secretary is to be hired, the SPPR/C is part of the process. The SPPR/C may consult the Treasurer/Finance Committee about the budget in relationship to the new hire. After the SPPR/C decides to hire a person, a recommendation is made by the SPPR/C with the amount of money to pay this person. This recommendation is given to the Church Council Committee to approve the budget item. Annual budget approval is the responsibility of the Church Council.
7. What training/books/meetings are available for the SPPRC committee?
8. Is there an SPPRC advocate at the Conference Office? As an extension of the Bishop’s office, the District Superintendent serves as the advocate/liaison to the SPPR/C.
9. Is there a lawyer available for SPPR/C chairpersons at the Conference Office? The Conference Chancellor (lawyer) may be consulted. The first consultation is at no cost. Any further consultations or legal work is done at a reduced rate to the local church. 10. How do the SPPR/C respond to a complaint against clergy, lay staff or lay volunteers? Minor conflicts can be resolved between parties by talking to them individually and together. Members from the SPPR/C may be assigned to media the situation. If it is a written compliant against lay employee or volunteer, the SPPR/C needs to address the issue as a committee according to the Ethical and Employment Policies and Procedures of the local church. The District Superintendent and/or Conference Chancellor may be consulted. If there are possible legal charges the District Superintendent must be contacted.
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