Responsibility Following Dissolution Policy for the Dissolution of Pastoral Ties 2015 Susan Shaffer Associate Secretary Ministry and Church Vocations Clerks Consultation April 1114 2016 approved by GA 1998 and 2015 ID: 554691
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Policy for the Dissolution of Pastoral Ties
Responsibility Following DissolutionSlide2
Policy for the Dissolution of Pastoral Ties 2015
Susan Shaffer
Associate SecretaryMinistry and Church Vocations
Clerks Consultation
April 11-14, 2016Slide3
approved by GA 1998 and 2015
legal counsel
purpose: direction – presbytery dissolves tie and decides # months congregation must continue to support minister financiallyapplies after decision to dissolve tiesets out terms of dissolution, including transition period:
# months congregation provides
transition allowance:same stipend and allowances“bridge” while minister searches for call or employment or fulfills presbytery requirementsfollows an income continuance model
Policy OverviewSlide4
Theological Basis:
Church’s participation in Christ’s one ministry
Relationships of responsibility and accountability3-way covenantGuiding Principles:Commitment to love and justicePastoral carePresbytery knowledgeable and competentPresbytery provides minister and congregation with appropriate information and support
Fair, orderly, caring
FoundationSlide5
When does the policy apply?
NO
YESPresbytery dissolves tie when minister has requested
dissolution
for reasons such as:another callstudyfamily careretirework outside churchresign (long-term disability claim approved)term of call or appointment completed
Presbytery dissolves tie when
minister has not requested
dissolution
:
Category 1:
pastoral relationship
(review of ministry)
Category 2:
$$$
Category 3:
term appointment(s
), continuous service of 3 or more years
Category 4:
serious offence
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More “NO” and “YES” Contexts
More “NO” Contexts
More “YES” Contexts
Term appointment,
minister has not asked to leave congregation, but less than 3 years continuous service :Assistant Minister, term completedStated Supply Minister, term completedInterim Minister, 2-year term completed
Interim Minister, term of less than maximum 2 years completed
Early termination clause used before end of term (Stated Supply or Interim Minister)
Presbytery treats as Category 1 (pastoral relationship not viable) but no review of ministry because session refuses:
session and minister say pastoral relationship not viable; presbytery dissolves tie on that grounds
session and minister say pastoral relationship not viable; presbytery accepts minister’s resignation in that contextSlide7
Categories are context-dependent.
What is the context in which the presbytery has decided to dissolve the pastoral tie?
Category 4 (serious offence): minimal requirementsTherefore discipline first: All disciplinary processes must be completed before
presbytery decides which category applies.
Context matters!Slide8
Policy applies to:
ministers serving in congregations
(call and induction or presbytery appointment)ministers serving as executive staff of presbyteries, synods or General Assembly agencies“Minister” refers to:ordained Word and Sacraments
Order of Diaconal Ministries
lay missionary appointed by presbyteryWho?Slide9
providing pastoral care
seeking legal advice
setting terms of dissolutionpreparing settlement agreementinforming minister of decisions of presbyteryinforming session of decisions of presbytery and securing session acceptance of settlement agreementsecuring acceptance of settlement agreement by minister
Matters to be addressedSlide10
dates: return church property, vacate church premises (office, manse)
unused annual vacation entitlement
proposed plans for con ed fundstransition periodschedule for repayment of housing loanrestrictions on minister’s certificatepresbytery support plans for minister
Terms of DissolutionSlide11
Transition Allowance
Transition Period
How much? How long?
congregation provides same stipend and allowances:
stipendmanse or housing allowancetravel if part of stipendgroup benefits plan
pensionable service increments
possibly 50% con
ed
funds
new employment income may reduce transition allowance:
above 10% of transition allowance
always room for grace
1 month per year in congregation
4 – 12 months:
0-4 years: 4 months
5-12 years: 5-12 months
12+ years: 12 months
new employment income may shorten transition period:
100% of transition allowance
congregation provides transition allowance for 2 months:
minister does not sign
new employment income replaces transition allowance before end of month 2
always room for graceSlide12
APPENDIX A: Preventative Measures
APPENDIX B: Appeals
APPENDIX C: Bibliography APPENDIX D: Sample Settlement AgreementResourcesSlide13
Ministry and Church Vocations
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ministerial leaders
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