Pastor Staff-Parish Relationship District Workshop

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Pastor Staff-Parish RelationshipDistrict Workshop

• Pastor Lay Leader Roles
• Role of The Local Congregation

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• If one part of Christ's body is praised, all the
  other parts share its happiness. (1 Corinthians
  1226).
• A church of encouragers is a church that's alive!
  The deepest principle in human nature, said
  William James, is the craving to be appreciated.

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• Demonstrate that your first commitment is to the
  pastors success!

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A CHECKLIST FOR GOOD COMMUNICATION

• Encourage the other person to stay in the
  present, the here-and-now.
• Acknowledge ways that past activities are a
  strong foundation for current ministry, but stay
  away from the we used to do it scenario.

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COMMUNICATION

• Begin statements with I believe, I feel, and
  In my opinion. Encourage others to do the same.

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COMMUNICATION

• Ask what the other person is feeling, if
  appropriate. Remember that some
• people find discussion of feelings
• offensive or irrelevant. Be aware of
• your own feelings as well.

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COMMUNICATION

• Repeat what you hear to ensure accuracy. Ask
  questions for information and clarity.
• Remember that you are the eyes and ears of
  your congregation.

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COMMUNICATION

• Build trust by finding what you can agree on,
  then move on to any differences.

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COMMUNICATION

• Accept do not judge. This does not necessarily
  mean reaching an agreement.

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COMMUNICATION

• Suggest opportunities for in-depth conversation
  (at home, on a walk, at
• lunch, and so forth.)

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COMMUNICATION

• Provide ways people can share new ideas. One
  congregation supplies pew racks with a card
  saying, I wish our congregation would
  ________________. People are encouraged to
  submit ideas by filling out a card and putting it
  in the offering plate.

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• Job Description for the
• COMMITTEE ON
• PASTOR-PARISH RELATIONS
• In a United Methodist Congregation
•  

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Duties of Staff-Parish Members

• Definition of a Duly Constituted Meeting
• Interpret the staff to the congregation
• Interpret the congregation to the staff
• Counsel with staff regarding priorities/goals
• Evaluation

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Committee Duties Contd

• Recommend salary/remuneration, etc.
• Non-appointed staff hire/fire
• Appointed clergy relate to D.S./Bishop
  regarding appointment changes
• Interpret open itinerancy/appointment process to
  the congregation

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Committee Duties Contd

• Support Continuing Education
• Candidates for ministry/missionaries, etc.
• Confidentiality
• Encourage and support the Staff-Parish Committee
  Chairperson

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Duties of Chairperson

• Responsibilities of the Chairperson
•   To be responsible for guiding the work of the
  committee throughout the year, planning agendas,
  and presiding at meetings.
•  

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Chair Contd

• To be available to the pastor for council,
  understanding, and support.
• Discuss the role your pastor would like for you
  to take.

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Chair Contd

• To take part in the Administrative Council, or
  Administrative Board and the Charge Conference.
• Report regularly to the Administrative Council or
  Administrative Board concerning the work of the
  committee.

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Chair- Skills Tips

• Meet as the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee
  to evaluate the committees recent work
• strengths and weaknesses
• and plan for the coming year.  

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Chair- Skills Tips

• Talk to persons in your congregation or in other
  congregations who held this job in the past or
  who have special interests in this area.

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Chair- Skills Tips

• Study Job Descriptions and Leadership Training in
  the United Methodist Church 2009-2012. Order
  from Discipleship Resources, P.O. Box 189,
  Nashville, TN 37202, [phone]. 

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Chair- Skills Tips

• Ability to listen to and communicate with persons
  of all ages.
• Ability to work with other volunteers and
  committees.
•  

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Chair- Skills Tips

• Good working relationship with the pastor.
• Genuine interest in responding to the hopes and
  concerns of persons in your community.

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Suggestions to Encourage Your Pastor

• Take your relationship with God seriously
• Make their day! Tell your pastor when you find
  the sermon encouraging, insightful or
• challenging

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Encourage - Contd

• Look for ways to honor and thank them, both
  publicly and privately
• The positive feedback will reach them indirectly
  when you share with a spouse, friends or
  colleagues

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Encourage - Contd

• Realize that your pastor doesn't have every
  ministry gift
• Get excited about their vision for your church
• Respect your pastor's Sabbath day of rest and
  also their day off

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Encourage - Contd

• Look for ways to bless his/ her family
• Don't overlook small blessings
• Ensure your pastors are generously compensated
  financially
• Remember that busy persons dont always take care
  of themselves as they should.

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Encourage Contd

• Be sensitive when talking about the "good ol'
  days when Pastor so and so was here."
• On social occasions, avoid discussing difficult
  church issues with your pastor
• If you hear someone criticizing the pastor, ask
  them if they have spoken to the pastor directly.

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Encourage - Contd

• Appreciate that your pastor works for more than a
  couple of hours on Sunday
• Ask your pastor what jobs he or she finds most
  challenging and time consuming
• Consider setting aside money that can be used by
  church staff for confidential counseling

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Encourage Contd

• See your pastors and their families as fellow
  human beings
• A church that works hard at bringing visitors to
  services is a church that encourages the pastor

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Encourage - Contd

• Observe Pastor Appreciation Sunday in October on
  the 2nd Sunday
• Observe mile stone anniversaries 5, 10 15 years
• Celebrate community involvement
• Encourage hobbies or activities
• Upgrade the pastors office