Policy # 2
Adopted in preparation of Church By-Laws
Church Leadership
The pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church. The pastor will lead the congregation, the organizations, and the church staff to perform their tasks.
The pastor is leader of pastoral ministries in a church. The Pastor should work with the church leadership to lead the church to fulfill its purpose of being the presence of Christ in our community and the world through worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship and discipleship.
A pastor shall be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. His election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which public notice has been given at least two Sunday Morning Services.
A pastor search committee shall be appointed by the church to seek out a suitable pastor, and its recommendation will constitute a nomination. Any member has the privilege of making other nominations according to the policy established by the church. The committee shall bring to the consideration of the church only one name at a time.
Election shall be by either secret ballot or voice vote, an affirmative vote of three-fourths of those present being necessary for a choice. The pastor, thus elected, shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his request or church action as specified below.
The pastor shall receive a salary and benefit package as approved by the church prior his calling as pastor.
The pastor shall receive vacation time based on his total ministry experience as follows:
Ř 1 year to 5 years of total ministry experience – 2 weeks of vacation per year
Ř 6 years – 10 years of total ministry experience – 3 weeks of vacation per year
Ř 11 years and more of total ministry experience – 4 weeks of vacation per year
Total ministry experience shall include all time of paid ministry service. This could be as pastor, church staff, associational ministry, pulpit supply or other paid ministry service. Volunteer ministry experience does not apply.
Pastor shall be afforded the opportunity for 1 week of spiritual retreat each year.
The pastor will be authorized 2 weeks for outside speaking as the Lord leads. The pastor shall receive his regular church salary during this time and shall be permitted to retain any stipend or love offering received. The church shall not be responsible for any costs directly related to this outside speaking engagement. This time may be used in conjunction with vacation time or comp time. The church shall fund supply pastors to fill the pulpit during these times from the regular church budget.
The pastor will be given sick leave as needed to meet his and his family’s health needs. Any extended sick leave will be investigated by the church council and discussed openly at a church business meeting. The church shall fund supply pastors to fill the pulpit during these times from the regular church budget.
The pastor shall be given time to attend to emergencies in his immediate family including a death, critical illness or other crisis situations.
The pastor is encouraged to attend national, state and local conventions and pastors conferences as church budget and finances allow.
The church shall fund supply pastors to fill the pulpit for any pastoral absence due to the above permitted absences.
The pastor may be supplied other benefits as approved by the church and listed in the approved budget.
The pastor shall be permitted to have other employment or business activities providing they do not interfere with his pastoral duties.
The pastor may resign in good standing by giving at least two weeks notice at the time of resignation before terminating his responsibilities as pastor.
The church body may vote to terminate the pastor at a business meeting called specifically to discuss the termination of the pastor. Notice of this meeting and its purpose shall be given at no less than two Sunday Morning Services. After the appropriate open discussion period a secret ballot vote shall be taken. The Church Council will be responsible for counting these ballots and the Church Clerk shall report the results of the balloting to the Church Body immediately after the counting is complete. An affirmative vote of three-fourths of those present shall be required to terminate the pastor. If terminated for any cause other than gross immorality, the pastor shall immediately be relieved of any and all pastoral duties in the church and the pastor shall be paid an amount equal to three months salary and be permitted to live in the church parsonage for three months.
This church shall call or employ such staff members, as the church shall need. A job description shall be written when the need for staff members is determined. Vocational staff members other than the pastor shall be recommended to the church by the personnel committee and employed by church action.
The church staff member may resign in good standing by giving at least two weeks notice at the time of resignation before terminating his responsibilities as pastor.
Church staff may be offered any other benefits granted by the church at a regular business meeting.
Staff benefits shall not exceed that of the pastor.
Volunteer staff members are exempt from this section. They will serve at their pleasure and the pleasure of the church. Either may choose to terminate the service of the volunteer at any regular business meeting. The volunteer will receive no compensation from the church other than the reimbursement of all church approved expenses.
The church body may vote to terminate any staff member at a business meeting called specifically to discuss the termination of the staff person. Notice of this meeting and its purpose shall be given at no less than two Sunday Morning Services. After the appropriate open discussion period a secret ballot vote shall be taken. The Church Council will be responsible for counting these ballots and the Church Clerk shall report the results of the balloting to the Church Body immediately after the counting is complete. An affirmative vote of three-fourths of those present shall be required to terminate the staff person. If terminated, the staff member shall immediately be relieved of any and all assigned duties in the church and the staff member pastor shall be paid an amount equal to one month’s salary and if church housing is provided they will be permitted to live in the church housing for three months.
3 pages.
Passed and Approved on the 1st day of June, 2005.
/s/ Colleen Garza__________________________
Church Clerk Date
/s/ Bob Alderman__________________________
Pastor Date