Staff-Parish Relations

STAFF-PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Peggy Kooser, Chairperson
From time to time someone will ask how information (praise or concerns) is passed on to staff members. The Staff Parish Relations Committee is the committee set up to handle this type of information. If you have any questions or comments for the staff it is recommended that you speak with them directly. However if you would prefer, you may contact one of the SPRC members and they in turn will discuss the information with the staff member.
According to the United Methodist Discipline, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee works as a team within the congregation to interpret the local church’s mission and vision with several constituencies. The individuals and groups this committee works with include: the pastor, all ordained leaders–both elders and deacons-appointed by the bishop, the lay staff, the congregation (individually and corporately), the community outside the walls of your church, the District Superintendent, and the United Methodist connectional church.
Responsibilities
1. To seek to understand feelings and desires within the congregation about the pastor’s leadership and appointment.
2. To work with the district superintendent and/or the bishop in an advisory capacity in matters pertaining to clergy leadership.
3. To recommend staff positions needed and to develop and approve written job descriptions and titles for associate pastors and staff.
4. To discuss regularly with the pastor(s) and staff the personnel conditions that affect the congregation’s total ministry.
5. To counsel with the pastor(s) and staff about priorities for the use of gifts, skills, and time.
6. To communicate openly with the pastor(s), staff, and congregation.
7. To make recommendations concerning compensation, travel, housing, and other financial matters to the Committee on Finance and the Church Council.
8. To inspect the parsonage with the pastor and the trustees annually to ensure proper maintenance.
9. To recommend, in consultation with the pastor, to the Church Council a written statement of policy and procedures for hiring, evaluating, promoting, retiring, and dismissing staff members who are not subject to Episcopal appointment.
10. To provide an annual evaluation for use by the pastor(s) and other staff in an ongoing effective ministry.
11. To identify continuing education needs and to support and encourage continuing education and spiritual renewal for the pastor and staff.
12. To educate the church community on the value of diversity of selection in clergy and lay staff.
13. To seek, interview, and recommend to the Charge Conference lay preachers, and qualified candidates for ordained ministry.