Chapter 4. Special Church Conference

On Pastoral Relations

¶251. If the Pastoral Relations Committee determines by a majority vote that a pastoral vote should be held, the committee may, after consulting with the District Superintendent, call a Special Church Conference according to ¶ 243 during the months of April or May for the purpose of voting on the following question: "Shall the present pastoral relationship be continued beyond the last Sunday in July?" Voting shall be by ballot without debate. If there is an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting, the pastor will be allowed fifteen days in which to notify the church of his decision on the matter.

¶252. If there is a negative vote of the majority of the members present and voting, or at such times as there is a pastoral vacancy, the Pastoral Relations Committee shall obtain from the District Superintendent a list of approved candidates for pastor, or from subsequent lists of candidates developed by the committee, from which they shall choose and submit one name as a candidate for pastoral leadership, subject to the provisions of the Discipline and after consultation with the Board of Stewards. Any Evangelical Methodist minister in good standing in his District Conference is eligible for consideration by the local church as a candidate. Initial contact with all candidates shall be made by the District Superintendent in behalf of the church. If the candidate resides in another district his District Superintendent shall also be notified at the time of contact. Selection of a new pastor shall be by a two-thirds vote, by ballot, of those present and voting at the Special Church Conference according to ¶243.

¶253. The local church shall first attempt to secure its pastor from among the ministerial members of the denomination. Before a preacher who is not a member of a district conference or a preacher from another denomination shall be called by a local church, he/she must secure the approval of the District Superintendent. Such preachers are under the direct supervision of the District Superintendent in whose district they are serving and can be removed by him at any time.

¶254. Immediately following a congregational vote on a new pastor, the chairman of the Pastoral Relations Committee shall communicate the decision of the church to the candidate and the District Superintendent.

¶255. A pastor-elect, having received a call from a local church, must reply within fifteen days after having received notification, regarding his acceptance or rejection of the call.

¶256. The local church may extend a pastoral call for a period of two or more years during which time no votes on the pastoral question may be taken except by request of the pastor.

¶257. It shall be the responsibility of the pastor, except by agreement with the church, to continue his/her ministry through the last Sunday in July. The local church is responsible for the salary and benefits of the outgoing pastor through the last Sunday in July unless, by agreement with the church, he/she voluntarily terminates his/her ministry prior to that date (See ¶624.)

¶258. Persons to be employed in such capacities as assistant pastors, ministers or directors of Christian education, ministers or directors of youth, ministers or directors of music, etc. shall be under the authority of the senior pastor. Each such staff position must be created by a majority vote of the congregation, upon the recommendation of the pastor and the Board of Stewards. Their salaries must be approved by the congregation at the Annual Church Conference or a Special Church Conference. Potential staff persons must be interviewed by the pastor and the Board of Stewards. The duties and services of these persons shall be determined by the pastor and the Board of Stewards. The employment of staff members shall be done by a two-thirds vote of the congregation upon the recommendation of the pastor and the Board of Stewards. Termination of such employment may be done by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Stewards upon the recommendation of the pastor. In the event of a pastoral change, the incoming pastor may request the resignations of all other staff members in order that he may have the freedom to construct his own staff.

¶259. Persons to be employed in such capacities as custodians, secretaries, nursery workers, etc. shall be employed by the Board of Stewards in consultation with the pastor. Such employees' duties, salaries, and continued employment shall be determined by the Board of Stewards in consultation with the pastor.

¶260. The pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all local church boards and committees except the Board of Trustees and the Pastoral Relations Committee.

Chapter 5. Annual Committees

¶271. The AUDITING COMMITTEE shall audit the financial records of the financial secretary and the treasurers of the church and organizations of the church or churches, following the close of the fiscal year. They shall report their findings to the stewards. An audit may be called for at any time deemed necessary by the stewards.

¶272. The BUILDING MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE is to be responsible for:

(1) Maintaining the physical property in good repair, clean and comfortable.

(2) The janitor, gardener, and other employees to care for the building, in cooperation with the stewards.

(3) Cooperating with the Evangelical Methodist Women in keeping the parsonage furnishings nice and comfortable.

¶273. The CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE shall be responsible, subject to the overall supervision of the Board of Stewards, for the entire Christian education program of the local church. This shall be understood to include the Sunday School, the Vacation Bible School, and all other Christian education ministries for children, youth, and adults. The committee may be composed of the officers and teachers of the Sunday School.

¶274. The COMMUNION COMMITTEE shall secure the elements for Holy Communion, see that cloths, cups, trays, etc. are ready for communion in cooperation with the pastor, and care for necessary details.

¶275. The EVANGELISM COMMITTEE shall promote evangelism by every means available. It shall work with the pastor in arranging for evangelistic services, conferences, etc.

¶276. The FINANCE COMMITTEE is to:

(1) Prepare an operating budget and present it to the Annual Church Conference for action. See ¶240 (4).

(2) Inform the church as to the needs of the budget.

(3) Make a study of the pastor's salary previous to the Annual Church Conference or a Special Church Conference, and make a recommendation to the congregation at that meeting concerning the pastor's salary. In the case of a new pastor being called, the Finance Committee shall make a recommendation concerning the new pastor's salary, to be voted upon at the time of the Special Church Conference to consider the new pastor.

¶277. The FRIENDSHIP COMMITTEE shall be in charge of greeting people, both before and after the services of the church, endeavoring to make them feel welcome and wanted. They shall work with the Evangelical Methodist Women in securing information for the proper care of the sick, shut-ins, and strangers.

¶278. The LITERATURE COMMITTEE shall call attention to the publication of new books, materials, literature, and exhibits of an evangelical nature which lift up Christ in a positive manner.

¶279. The MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE shall:

(1) Be on the lookout for prospective members.

(2) See that membership records are properly kept up to date.

(3) Visit the members annually to pray and study with them.

(4) Do visitation work at the request of the pastor or stewards.

(5) After consulting with the pastor, present the names of inactive members to be dropped at the Annual Church Conference according to ¶239.

¶280. The MUSIC COMMITTEE shall:

(1) Provide for the music of the church services by securing an organist, pianist, or other musicians, in consultation with the pastor.

(2) See that the church is supplied with Gospel hymn books, Gospel choir music, and other Gospel books for use in singing.

(3) Prepare a budget to be submitted to the Finance Committee for the musical program of the church.

¶281. The NOMINATING COMMITTEE shall be composed of the pastor (as chairman) and six additional members elected by the Annual Church Conference, after nomination by the Nominating Committee, representing the following:

(1) Board of Trustees

(2) Board of Stewards

(3) Sunday School

(4) Evangelical Methodist Men

(5) Evangelical Methodist Women

(6) Evangelical Methodist Youth

The Committee shall meet prior to the Annual Church Conference in order to prepare its report to the said church conference, and the slate of nominees shall be published at least two full weeks prior to the said church conference.

¶282. The PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE shall be composed of six people elected at the Annual Church Conference, after nomination by the Nominating Committee, representing the following:

(1) Board of Trustees

(2) Board of Stewards

(3) Sunday School

(4) Evangelical Methodist Men

(5) Evangelical Methodist Women

(6) Evangelical Methodist Youth

At the option of the pastor, a seventh member may be added to the Pastoral Relations Committee who shall be chosen by the pastor to represent him on the committee. No member of the pastor's family, nor more than one member of any immediate family of the church shall be on the Pastoral Relations Committee.

¶283. The PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE shall assume the responsibility for filling the pulpit during the absence of the pastor, consulting with the pastor and cooperating with him where it is possible in carrying out this duty.

¶284. The POLICY COMMITTEE shall make a careful survey of the work of the church or charge, make recommendations for its improvement or extension, and suggest new projects to the Annual Church Conference for the coming year.

¶285. The RECORDS COMMITTEE shall inspect the records of the various secretaries of the church and organizations of the church or churches. They shall report their findings to the Annual Church Conference.

¶286. The STEWARDSHIP AND TITHING COMMITTEE shall:

(1) Inform the local church concerning both local and conference needs and ministries around the world.

(2) Be responsible for a stewardship and tithing campaign within each local church once a year. Tithing is the Bible standard and goal.

(3) Endeavor to secure signatures on tither's cards and encourage cooperation and help from all available sources.

(4) Insistently lay on the consciences of all the obligation of each individual member to contribute proportionately of his means to the work of the church. One should give in proportion to his ability above the tithe.

(5) Train our people to contribute to the church regularly and systematically.

(6) Urge the people to give weekly as God prospers.

(7) Recommend the envelope system.

¶287. The TEMPERANCE COMMITTEE shall present the cause of temperance and other kindred causes.

¶288. The USHERS COMMITTEE shall:

(1) Greet the people and see that they are comfortably and quietly seated.

(2) Receive the offering, making whatever preparation is necessary.

(3) Properly direct people in the Lord's Supper.

¶289. The WORLD MISSIONS COMMITTEE shall be responsible for promoting the cause of world missions within the local church. This shall be understood to include both foreign missions and home missions. It shall be the responsibility of the committee to plan and sponsor activities and programs that will enlarge the congregation's understanding of the great world mission of the church as well as to expand the congregation's involvement in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.