Changes in Clergy Relationships

Changes in Clergy Relationships

The process for changes in Conference Relations for Clergy are outlined in the Book of Discipline, Paragraphs 353-361. For more information, go to www.gbhem.org/ResourceLibrary/2004%20RedBook.pdf

or contact Greg Bergquist, Chair, Conference Relations Committee, gregbergquist@sbcglobal.net

Process for Approval of a Ministry Site for an Appointment

to Extension Ministry, Book of Discipline, 2004, ¶343

Process Outline

The ATEM ministry site approval process involves at least these steps:

1. This process applies to applicants defined as Elders in Full Connection and

Probationary Members commissioned towards Elders Orders.

2. Applicant receives appropriate information from the Chairperson of the Conference

Relations Committee (CRC), Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM).

3. Applicant is informed that this process involves a period of time, perhaps multiple CRC

interviews and modifications of the ministry site plan.

4. Applicant prepares and submits appropriate materials in response to the request of

the CRC Chairperson and CRC according to the time line established by CRC.

5. Applicant meets and interviews with the CRC Committee concerning the Applicant’s

request for an extension ministry site approval, an Appointment to Extension Ministry

(ATEM), and appropriate changes in Conference relationship.

6. CRC makes recommendation to BOOM Executive Committee/BOOM/Cabinet

concerning ATEM ministry site approval.

7. When the ATEM site has been approved, CRC may then act on the request to make

appropriate changes in Conference relationship.

8. Following approval by CRC and BOOM, the ministry site is recommended for

confirmation to the Annual Conference Executive Session.

9. The Bishop makes the appointment to the Extension Ministry site

10. If the Bishop and Cabinet consider an appointment not to be in the best interest

of the Church, the Bishop may choose not to make the appointment. In such event, the

Bishop shall be in consultation with the Applicant and the Board of Ordained Ministry.

The Applicant shall then seek another appointment, request a leave of absence, family

leave, maternity or paternity leave, retirement, honorable location, or withdrawal

(Discipline 2004, ¶ 353-356, 359-361).

Submit all materials to:

Greg Bergquist, Chair

Conference Relations Committee

First United Methodist Church

1551 Montgomery Drive

Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Telephone, (707) 545-3863

FAX, (707) 545-5375

E-Mail, GregBergquist@sbcglobal.net

Steps for those seeking ATEM ministry site approval

Appointment to Extension Ministries include (Discipline, 2004, ¶344):

1. Appointments within the connectional structures of United Methodism:

a. Appointments for which the Annual Conference provides for pension contributions to

the Ministerial Pension Plan (as of 01-01-2007, the Clergy Retirement Security

Program);

b. Appointments to a general agency for which the general agency provides pension

contributions to the Retirement Security Program for General Agencies of the U.M.C.;

c. Appointment to a United Methodist institution or other ministry;

d. Appointments to an ecumenical agency.

2. Appointments under endorsement by the General Board of Higher Education and

Ministry and other ministry settings which the Bishop and Conference Board of

Ordained Ministry may designate.

3. Elders in service under the General Board of Global Ministries....

4. Elders may receive appointments beyond the ministry usually extended through the

local United Methodist Church and other institutions listed above when considered by

the Bishop and the Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry to be a true

extension of the Christian ministry of the Church. They may be appointed to pastoral

ministry in other Christian denominations at the request of the appropriate judicatory

officers of that denomination. These ministries shall be initiated in missional response to

the needs of persons in special circumstances and unique situations and shall reflect the

commitment of the clergy to intentional fulfillment of their ordination vows to Word,

Sacrament, Order, and Service. These appointments may involve clergy with expertise

from other vocations.

The following process directly concerns those in last group above.

An applicant requesting an Appointment to Extension Ministry (ATEM) shall

provide to the Conference Relations Committee (CRC), the Bishop, and the

Cabinet the following:

I. A letter to the CRC Chairperson, the Bishop, and the Cabinet requesting ATEM

site approval and other appropriate changes in Conference relations.

II. A completed personnel form (attached).

III. Title of ATEM ministry site, address, and mission statement.

IV. Written response to these questions for applicants seeking an ATEM appointment

under the provisions of Book of Discipline, 2004, ¶344.1d:

A. Within the context of your call to ordained ministry as an Elder, identify your sense

of call to the particular form of ministry which you propose to enter?

B. The Church in Mission:

1. How does ministry in the setting you propose fulfill and enrich the effectiveness of

the church in mission?

2. In what ways does serving in your proposed setting minister to identifiable needs in

the world that relate to the mission of the church?

3. In what specific ways does your proposed ministry respond to the needs of persons in special circumstances and unique situations?

C. In reference to the intentional fulfillment of your ordination vows as an Elder to

Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service:

1. If Word is understood as the study, interpretation, proclamation and practice of the

Gospel, how do you intend to witness to the Word? How do you intend to live

redemptively in the world as a rehearsing of God’s activity in Christ?

2. If Sacrament is understood as a means of grace witnessed by symbolic self-giving in

love, in what sense is your proposed ministry a lifestyle symbolic of the self-giving

witnessed in the Eucharist? What do you perceive to be the sacramental dimensions

in your proposed setting?

3. If Order is understood as the ordering of the life of the church so as to enable the

Body of Christ to live redemptively in the world, how does serving in your proposed

setting forward that task? How would you shape the meaning of discipleship for

your community?

4. If Service is understood as being the visible Body of Christ through servant ministry

in the midst of a broken and suffering world, how does your proposed ministry

demonstrate the involvement of Jesus with human need? How will your ministry be a

witness to the church’s involvement with persons on behalf of the community of

faith?

D. In light of our covenant community and your vows of ordination in your proposed

setting for ministry, specifically how will you be carrying out the function of ordained

ministry?

V. The following written materials concerning your ATEM ministry site:

A. A ministry job description outlining duties, tasks, and relevant relationships.

B. A copy of the written employment agreement between the Applicant and the

ATEM site.

C. A statement of hours to be spent in ministry. Full-time employment is the norm.

Anything less than a full time arrangement must be approved in advance as per the

2004 Discipline, ¶338.1.

D. A list of your specific gifts, training, education, work experience and

experiences of grace that you bring to the unique requirements of your proposed

ministry site.

E. A list of your goals for the first year in this ATEM appointment.

F. A list of the resources available for continuing growth in effectiveness in your

proposed field of ministry

G. A description of how you will demonstrate and support the covenant

relationship that forms our interdependent and complementary common ministry as

United Methodist Elders.

H. A list of the persons who will make up your personal support community.

Indicate those who relate to the United Methodist Church and our clergy covenant

relationship.

I. A description of the accountability structure that exists within the ministry setting.

1. An organizational chart of the ATEM site agency that demonstrates your

accountability in the organization.

2. The process for your performance evaluation. Who does the evaluation? On

what basis? To whom is the evaluation reported? For what period of time?

3. How the evaluation will be shared with appropriate structures of the

Conference, including your District Superintendent and CRC/BOOM Chairpersons.

J. Demonstrate that the ATEM ministry site is financially viable.

1. The financial arrangements between you and the ATEM site.

2. When “self-employed,” the financial arrangements for support.

3. From the ATEM site, the provision for the Applicant’s health care and

pension support.

4. Include an actual, detailed financial report for the past twelve months that

includes income and expenses.

K. You and/or your agency will provide written proof of insurance coverage,

naming the Conference as an additional insured.

VI. Provide additional materials requested by the CRC Chairperson and/or Committee.

VII. All completed materials shall be in the hands of the CRC Chairperson

according to the time line established by CRC.

VIII. In consultation with the District Superintendent and the CRC Chairperson, the

Applicant shall arrange for an Accountability Committee which shall report

annually to CRC/BOOM, the Bishop, and the Cabinet.

A. An Accountability Committee is required for all ATEM Applicants.

B. The Accountability Committee will be formed by the applicant before the

interview.

C. The Accountability Committee will include at least three to five persons.

Include a list of members with addresses and contact information.

D. The Accountability Committee shall include at least:

1. Two persons of the applicant’s choice, one of whom is familiar with the

requirements of the proposed ministry and possessing some skills in assessing an

applicant in such a ministry.

2. One member shall be a member of the Conference Relations Committee named

by CRC.

3. Two members shall be clergy members in full connection of this Annual

Conference.

E. The Accountability Committee shall:

1. Meet at least two times per appointment year.

2. Submit annual report/evaluation to the Bishop, District Superintendent, and

3. Areas of review and appraisal include, but are not limited to, ministry

performance related to the ministry job description and ministry satisfaction.

IX. Connectional Accountability

A. In addition to the accountability structure within the extension ministry setting itself,

clergy in such appointments are expected to have a charge conference relationship in

their home annual conference (¶344.3). If persons are appointed outside the bounds of

their home conference, they are expected to hold affiliate charge conference relationships

in a United Methodist church in the area where they are living.

B. Applicants in extension ministry appointments must provide an annual report to the

Bishop, District Superintendent, Charge Conference, and Board of Ordained Ministry.

Those appointed outside the bounds of their Annual Conference must also submit a

copy of this report to their affiliate Charge Conference and the Bishop in the area where

they are serving. A standardized report form (#2170) is available for use by Annual

Conferences. It is to be supplemented by a narrative report of ministry, along with

information regarding continuing education and evaluation.

X. On completed receipt of the above items, attend a scheduled interview with the

Conference Relations Committee.

XI. The Applicant may be requested to submit additi, onal materials, modify the ATEM

site plan, clarify responses, and/or answer additional questions/concerns before CRC

makes a positive recommendation on the ATEM site plan. An additional interview

may be required by the CRC.

XII. CRC makes a positive recommendation to BOOM Executive Committee/BOOM,

Cabinet concerning ATEM site approval.

XIII. After positive recommendation for approval of the ATEM site by the CRC,

CRC may then act on the request to make appropriate changes in Conference

relationship.

XIV. After positive recommendation for approval of the ATEM site by the CRC

Committee, the Applicant will work with the Bishop and Cabinet on the

appointment to the ATEM site.

XV. Evaluating Requests for Appointment

The following questions can be useful in assessing requests for these appointments.

A. Within the context of the basic call to ministry, is there discernable evidence that the

person is responding to a call to the particular form of ministry being proposed?

B. Does the proposed ministry fulfill and enrich the effectiveness of the church in mission?

C. Is the proposed ministry congruent with the Annual Conference’s missional commitment

in and to the world?

D. What identifiable needs in the world are involved in this ministry that make it affirmable as

a part of the mission of the church?

E. Is the proposed ministry one in which the vows of ordination to word, sacrament, and

order, understood in holistic fashion, can be responsibly fulfilled?

F. Does the proposed setting for ministry provide a context that is positive for the person’s

fulfilling the covenant relationship that forms the interdependent and complementary

ministry of United Methodist clergy?

G. Does the person possess the specific/special gifts, training, education, work experience,

and experiences of grace required for the proposed ministry?

H. Does the proposed setting for ministry provide the possibility of the kind of accountability

integral to our understanding of responsible participation in our covenant community?

I. In the context of being a part of our voluntary covenant community, is this person prepared

to accept an appointment to a local church if requested to do so?

Personnel Form

Applicants Requesting ATEM Ministry Site Approval

Conference Relations Committee, Board of Ordained Ministry

California-Nevada Conference, The United Methodist Church

Name ___________________________________________

Business Phone (____)________________ Home Phone (____)________________

FAX (____)____________________ E-Mail __________________________________

Business Address _____________________________________________________

City _____________________________________ State _______ ZIP ____________

Home Address ________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________ State _______ ZIP ____________

Present Conference Relationship _________________________________________

Date Ordained Elder ________________ Conference _______________________

Appointment History

Seminary and Professional Education

Date all requested materials received by CRC Chairperson __________________

Date of CRC interview ____________ CRC Recommendation __________________

Date of BOOM action _____________ BOOM Recommendation ________________

Date letters sent:

Elder _________ Senior Pastor _________ Bishop/Cabinet _________

Dist. Supt. __________ Board of Pensions ________ Others as needed _________

Process for Approval of a Ministry Site for a Deacon Appointment

To a Setting Beyond the Local Church, Book of Discipline, 2004, ¶331

Process Outline

The ABLC ministry site approval process involves at least these steps:

1. This process applies to Full Connection Deacons and Probationers Commissioned towards Deacons Orders.

2. Deacon receives appropriate information from the Chairperson of the Conference Relations Committee (CRC), Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM).

3. Deacon is informed that this process involves a period of time, perhaps multiple CRC interviews and modifications of the ministry site plan.

4. Deacon prepares and submits appropriate materials in response to the request of the CRC Chairperson and CRC according to the time line established by CRC..

5. Deacon meets and interviews with the CRC Committee concerning the Deacon’s request for ABLC ministry site approval, an Appointment Beyond the Local Church (ABLC), and appropriate changes in Conference relationship.

6. CRC makes recommendation to BOOM Executive Committee/BOOM/Cabinet concerning ABLC ministry site approval.

7. When the ABLC site has been approved, CRC may then act on the request to make appropriate changes in Conference relationship.

8. When Deacons in full connection serve in an agency or setting beyond the local church, the Bishop, after consultation with the Deacon and the pastor-in-charge, shall appoint the Deacon to a secondary appointment within a local church where they will take missional responsibility for leading other Christians into ministries of service. In this ministry, the Deacon shall be accountable to the pastor-incharge, the charge conference, and other bodies that coordinate the ministry of the local church (Discipline 2004, ¶ 331.4).

9. If the Bishop and Cabinet consider an appointment not to be in the best interest of the Church, the

Bishop may choose not to make the appointment. In such event, the Bishop shall be in consultation with the Deacon and the Board of Ordained Ministry. The Deacon shall then seek another appointment, request a leave of absence, transitional leave, relinquish his or her credentials, or be terminated by disciplinary procedures (Discipline 2004, ¶ 331.6.c).

10. Deacons in full connection, at their request or with their consent, may be appointed to a non-salaried position. Such missional appointments will serve to express the Church’s concern for social holiness, for ministry among the poor, and for advancing emerging needs of the future. (Discipline 2004, ¶331.6,d).

Submit all materials to:

Greg Bergquist, Chair

Conference Relations Committee

First United Methodist Church

1551 Montgomery Drive

Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Telephone, (707) 545-3863

FAX, (707) 545-5375

E-Mail, GregBergquist@sbcglobal.net

Steps for those seeking ABLC ministry site approval

A Full Connection Deacon or a Probationer Commissioned towards Deacons Orders requesting a primary appointment in a setting Beyond the Local Church (ABLC) shall provide to the Conference Relations Committee (CRC), the Bishop, and the Cabinet the following:

I. A letter to the CRC Chairperson, the Bishop, and the Cabinet requesting ABLC site approval and other appropriate changes in Conference relations.

II. A completed personnel form.

III. Title of ABLC ministry site, address, and mission statement.

IV. Written response to these questions for Deacons seeking an ABLC appointment under the provisions of Book of Discipline, 2004, ¶331:

A. Within the context of your call to ordained ministry as Deacon, what is your sense of call to the particular form of ministry which you now propose to enter?

B. The Church in Mission:

1. How does ministry in the setting you propose fulfill and enrich the effectiveness of the church in mission?

2. How is the proposed ministry congruent with the Church’s missional commitment in and to

the world?

3. In what ways does serving in your proposed setting minister to identifiable needs in the world

that relate to the mission of the church?

4. In what specific ways does your proposed ministry respond to the needs of persons in special circumstances and unique situations?

C. Fulfilling the ministry of the Deacon to which you were ordained:

1. In this position, how will you fulfill servant ministry in the world? Clarify your intentionality

of servant leadership in order to establish a clear distinction between the work to which all

Christians are called and the work for which Deacons in full connection are appropriately prepared and authorized.

2. How, in the proposed ministry, will you live out your call to the ministry of the deacon connecting the congregation with the needs of the world?

3. How, in the proposed ministry, will you fulfill the vows of ordination to Word and Service?

4. How will you teach and proclaim the Word?

5. Do you anticipate that you will assist Elders in the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper? Do you anticipate that you will conduct marriages and bury the

dead?

6. How will you form and nurture disciples?

7. How will you participate in the Order of Deacons or the Fellowship of Probationary Deacons to mutually support, care for, and hold accountable its members for the sake of the life and mission of the church?

8. How does the proposed setting of ministry provide opportunity to maintain a relationship and

accountability with the Order of Deacons or the Fellowship of Probationary Deacons and the

structure of the Church?

9. How will you maintain a close working relationship with and effective participation in the

work of the Annual Conference? Will you assume whatever responsibilities you are qualified

and requested to assume?

V. The following written materials concerning your ABLC ministry site:

A. A ministry job description outlining duties, tasks, and relevant relationships.

B. A copy of the written employment agreement between the Deacon and the ABLC site.

C. A statement of hours to be spent in ministry. Full-time employment is the norm. Anything less than a full time arrangement must be approved in advance as per the Discipline, ¶331.7.

D. A list of your specific gifts, training, education, work experience and experiences of grace that you bring to the unique requirements of your proposed ministry site.

E. A list of your goals as a Deacon for the first year in this ABLC appointment.

F. A list of the resources available for continuing growth in effectiveness in your proposed field of ministry

G. A description of how you will demonstrate and support the covenant relationship that forms our interdependent and complementary common ministry as United Methodist Deacons.

H. A list of the persons who will make up your personal support community. Indicate those who relate to the United Methodist Church and our clergy covenant relationship.

I. A description of the accountability structure that exists within the ministry setting.

1. An organizational chart of the ABLC site agency that demonstrates your accountability in the organization.

2. The process for your performance evaluation. Who does the evaluation? On what basis? To whom is the evaluation reported? For what period of time?

3. How the evaluation will be shared with appropriate structures of the Conference, including your District Superintendent and CRC/BOOM Chairpersons.

J. Demonstrate that the ABLC ministry site is financially viable.

1. The financial arrangements between you and the ABLC site.

2. When “self-employed,” the financial arrangements for support.

3. From the ABLC site, the provision for the Deacon’s health care and pension support.

4. Include an actual, detailed financial report for the past twelve months that includes income and expenses.

K. You and/or your agency will provide written proof of insurance coverage, naming the Conference as an additional insured.

VI. Your secondary appointment arrangement. Give the name and address of the local church to which the Bishop will appoint you. After consultation between you, the District Superintendent, and the pastor-in-charge, provide written consent of the pastor-in-charge (Book of Discipline, 2000, ¶322.11) and a written response to the following questions:

A. How will your gifts by used in this local church?

B. What will be your primary field of service in this local church?

C. How you will be used in the worship and study life of the congregation?

D. What are the lines of accountability in the local church for the Deacon?

E. How much time can you give?

VII. Provide additional materials requested by the CRC Chairperson and/or Committee.

VIII. All completed materials shall be in the hands of the CRC Chairperson according to the time line established by CRC.

IX. In consultation with the District Superintendent and the CRC Chairperson, the Deacon shall arrange for an Accountability Committee which shall report annually to CRC/BOOM, the Bishop, and the Cabinet.

A. An Accountability Committee is required for all ABLC Deacons.

B. The Accountability Committee will be formed by the applicant before the interview.

C. The Accountability Committee will include at least three to five persons. Include a list of members with addresses and contact information.

D. The Accountability Committee shall include at least:

1. Two persons of the applicant’s choice, one of whom is familiar with the requirements of the

proposed ministry and possessing some skills in assessing an applicant in such a ministry.

2. One member shall be a member of the Conference Relations Committee named by CRC.

3. Two members shall be clergy members in full connection of this Annual Conference.

4. One member shall be the pastor-in-charge in the secondary appointment and of the Charge

Conference to which the applicant will be related.

5. One member shall be a member of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee of the Charge Conference of the secondary appointment to which the applicant will be related.

E. The Accountability Committee shall:

1. Meet at least two times per appointment year.

2. Submit annual report/evaluation to the Bishop, District Superintendent, and CRC/BOOM

Chairpersons by January 15.

3. Areas of review and appraisal include, but are not limited to, ministry performance related to the ministry job description and ministry satisfaction.

X. On completed receipt of the above items, attend a scheduled interview with the Conference Relations Committee.

XI. The Deacon may be requested to submit additional materials, modify the ABLC site plan, clarify responses, and/or answer additional questions/concerns before CRC makes a positive recommendation on the ABLC site plan. An additional interview may be required by the CRC.

XII. CRC makes a positive recommendation to BOOM Executive Committee/BOOM, Cabinet concerning ABLC site approval.

XIII. After positive recommendation for approval of the ABLC site by the CRC, CRC may then act on the request to make appropriate changes in Conference relationship.

XIV. After positive recommendation for approval of the ABLC site by the CRC Committee, the Deacon will work with the Bishop and Cabinet on the appointment to the ABLC site.

Personnel Form

Applicants Requesting ABLC Ministry Site Approval

Conference Relations Committee, Board of Ordained Ministry

California-Nevada Conference, The United Methodist Church

Name ___________________________________________

Business Phone (____)________________ Home Phone (____)________________

FAX (____)____________________ E-Mail __________________________________

Business Address _____________________________________________________

City _____________________________________ State _______ ZIP ____________

Home Address ________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________ State _______ ZIP ____________

Present Conference Relationship _________________________________________

Date Commissioned __________________ Conference _______________________

Date Ordained Deacon ________________ Conference _______________________

Appointment History

Seminary and Professional Education

Date all requested materials received by CRC Chairperson __________________

Date of CRC interview ____________ CRC Recommendation __________________

Date of BOOM action _____________ BOOM Recommendation ________________

Date letters sent:

Deacon _________ Senior Pastor _________ Bishop/Cabinet _________

Dist. Supt. __________ Board of Pensions ________ Others as needed _________