PASTORAL REVIEWS
PURPOSE
The church/pastoral relationship is reviewed by the church board, meeting with the district superintendent, within 60 days of the second anniversary of pastoral service and every four years thereafter. Every church on the Chicago Central District participates in this process. At this review meeting, the question of continuing the church/pastoral relationship shall be discussed. The goal of this time is to discover consensus without the need of a formal church vote. (Manual, 123)
PREPARATION
Preparation for every church/pastoral relationship review on the Chicago Central District includes several items prepared by the pastor, the church board members, and the treasurer, and submitted to the district superintendent. These items include:
Preparing a list of all ministry leaders that serve in the local church
Reading key portions of the Manual relating to the role and responsibilities of the pastor and church board members as they serve the local church (Manual paragraphs 128-130; 514-522)
Reading a portion of Fueling the Nazarene Movement with Love on building a contagious Christian culture
Providing a copy of the current year church budget
Providing information on the current pastoral compensation package
Each church board member submitting answers to the following questions:
What do you most enjoy about your pastor’s ministry?
What does your pastor do really well?
What challenges, if any, does your pastor face?
Can you identify any behaviors your pastor could develop or enhance to be a more effective leader within the culture of your church?
Each board member completing a survey, rating the pastor on a scale of 1-5, in the following areas:
As a Preacher
Praise and worship leads well into the sermon
Sermons indicate ample time in prayer and preparation
Effective in the use of the Bible
Uses illustrations that apply Biblical truths to life
Messages help me to grow as a Christian
Relates well to the congregation during messages
As an Administrator/Leader
Clearly communicated vision to the congregation and board
Diligent in setting goals/establishing strategy with board
Is flexible in decision-making
Challenges others to creative thinking
Maintains an optimistic and positive attitude of leadership
Enlists/develops key lay leaders for discipleship/ministries
Is good on follow-through
Nurtures stewardship in the church board
Teaches faithful giving for local/district/general needs
In Pastoral Care
Gets to know the congregation and shows genuine concern
Models for the congregation a meaningful prayer life
Makes connecting with people in need a priority
Equips others to assist in calling and pastoral care
Effective in counseling as needs arise
Listens to ideas and/or problems
Is an example of high moral and ethical character
As an Evangelist
Leads persons to Christ by personal evangelism
Draws people to respond in response to the Spirit's leading
Equips others in soul-winning/discipling new believers
Encourages baptism of new converts
Diligent in preparing those who are ready for membership
Disciples believers to experience holiness of heart and life
Promotes the church well in the community
PROCESS
A date is set for the church/pastoral relationship review between the District Ministry Center and the pastor of the church; all materials are submitted and reviewed by the district superintendent. The pastor, church board, and district superintendent will then meet for a board meeting in executive session to discuss the relationship of the pastor and the church. (Manual, 123.1)
The pastor and board will have an opportunity to dialogue about their relationship with the district superintendent. A portion of the review may be conducted with the pastor absent from the room. (Manual, 123.1) After the board has had time to discuss and reflect, the question is presented by the district superintendent to the church board, “Do you wish for the pastor/church relationship to continue for another four years?” If the consensus in the room is affirmative, a formal vote is not needed. The church/pastoral relationship will continue until the next review in four years. (Manual, 123.3)
If there is not a consensus in the room, a vote is taken by ballot. If two-thirds of the board members answer the question “No” then the question will be presented to the church membership at a duly called special meeting within 30 days. The question of continuance of the church/pastoral relationship is presented to the church. If two-thirds of the church membership vote “Yes” then the church/pastoral relationship will continue until the next review in four years. If less than two-thirds vote “Yes” then the church/pastoral relationship will end within 30-180 days. (Manual 123.4-6)
If the pastor chooses to not proceed with the vote of the congregation, or does not accept the results of the vote, he or she shall submit a resignation. The church/pastoral relationship will end within 30-180 days. (Manual 123.6)
OUTCOMES
Following the church/pastoral relationship review, the pastor and church board will work together to develop an action plan and submit a copy to the District Ministry Center within 30 days of the completion of the review process.
Manual Paragraphs Regarding Pastor/Board Reviews
123. The Regular Church/Pastoral Relationship Review. The church/pastoral relationship shall be reviewed by the church board, meeting with the district superintendent, or an ordained minister or layperson appointed by the district superintendent, within 60 days of the second anniversary of pastoral service and every four years thereafter. At this review meeting, the question of continuing the church/pastoral relationship shall be discussed. The objective is to discover consensus without the need of a formal church board vote.
123.1. The district superintendent, or an ordained minister or layperson appointed by the district superintendent, shall be responsible for scheduling and conducting the review meeting(s) with the church board. The district superintendent shall determine the review methodology. The review meeting(s) shall be scheduled in consultation with the pastor. The review meeting(s) shall be conducted in executive session (church board, including pastor). At the discretion of the district superintendent, a portion of the review may be conducted in the absence of the pastor. In case the pastor’s spouse is an elected member of the board, he or she shall not participate in the review. In addition, other immediate relatives of the pastor may be recused from the review, per the request of the district superintendent or appointed representative.
123.2. A public and/or printed announcement explaining the purpose of this church board meeting shall be conveyed to the congregation the Sunday before the church board and district superintendent meet for the regular church/pastoral relationship review.
123.3. If the church board does not vote to present the question of continuing the church/pastoral relationship to the church membership, the church/pastoral relationship will continue.
123.4. The church board may vote to present to the church membership the question of continuing the pastoral call. The vote by the board will be by ballot and require a two-thirds vote of all church board members present to carry.
123.5. If the church board votes to present the question of continuing the church/pastoral relationship to the church membership, the matter shall be presented at a church meeting properly called for this purpose and held within 30 days following such action. The question shall be presented, “Shall the present church/pastoral relationship continue?” The vote shall be by ballot and require a two-thirds vote to carry, except where civil law of a given country requires otherwise.
123.6. If the church membership votes to continue the church/pastoral relationship, the church/pastoral relationship shall continue as though such a vote had not been taken; otherwise, the church/pastoral relationship shall end on a date set by the district superintendent not fewer than 30 nor more than 180 days following the vote. If the pastor chooses not to proceed with the vote of the congregation or chooses not to accept the vote, he or she shall submit a resignation. In such case, the church/pastoral relationship shall end on a date set by the district superintendent not fewer than 30 nor more than 180 days following the pastor’s decision not to proceed with or accept the congregational vote. (120)
123.7. As a part of the regular review, a report will be made to the district superintendent by the pastor and church board regarding progress toward fulfilling the mission, vision, and core values of the church.
124. The chairperson of the Board of Tellers shall personally inform the pastor of the results of a pastoral vote before any public announcement is made.