RESOURCES FOR PASTORS/LOCAL CHURCHES

Laity and Church Board

• Agenda Local Board--Provides an example agenda for pastors to follow when holding monthly board meeings.
• Release Member Request--Statement of lay member release for local church.
• Abuse Prevention Policies and Forms

Pastoral Review

• Preparation for a Pastoral Review--A church board member self evaluation form (printable form)
• Church/Pastor Review Questionnaire--Specific questions for church boards and pastors
• Pastoral Review Process--A detailed pdf file
• Process Outline and Form--Review process outline and written understandings form for church boards and pastors
• Pastoral Review Survey--A detailed survey form in a pdf format
• Congregational Survey Form--Specific questions for the congregation at pastoral review time
• Special Pastoral Review--Guidelines for use when a continued pastoral relationship is in question

Relations with the District Superintendent

• Annual Visit, etc.--Provides expectations for pastors regarding annual D.S. visit, visit with church board, and special needs.
• Approval to Borrow Money--Approval form for churches desiring a loan, especially to build a facility.
• Approval to Build--Approval form for churches that are planning to build a structure, add to an existing structure, do major remodeling, or construct a site amenity such as a parking lot or recreational area.
• Approval to Purchase Existing Property--Approval form for churches seeking to purchase a building.
• Approval to Purchase Land--Approval form for churches seeking to purchase land.
• Approval to Remodel--Approval for “minor” remodeling.
• Reversionary Clause--To be included in all deeds for any new properties purchased or old deeds changed in any way.
• Approval to Hire Staff--Example letter from D.S. approving hiring of staff, as per 2001-2005 Manual paragraph 162.1.
• District Policy for Hiring Staff--Outlines guidelines for hiring church staff, as per provision of the Manual.
• Request to Renew an Assistant--Annual request form for renewal of tenure for paid/unpaid sssistant.
• Request to Retain an Assistant--Provisions for retaining an assistant (paid/unpaid) in the local church as outlined in the 2001-2005 Manual.

Goals, Expectations, and Awards for Pastors

• Pastoral Agreement--This is a specific assignment agreement between the pastor and the church board
• Basic Self Study--A form that states local church mission statement and assesses how well the church is doing in meeting their goals and expectations for ministry.
• Pastoral Expectations for Excellence--Outlines several areas of expectations for pastors on the district.
• Relationship of D.S. and Pastor--Describes expectations between the D.S.and the local pastor, in terms of what each can expect from the other while serving the district.
• Relationship of D.S. and Associate 
• Associate Renewal Process--A summary of the renewal process for staff.
• The D.S. May Provide--List of items the D.S. will provide to the pastor.

Church Budgets

• "We Pay Budgets"--A flyer that makes the case for why churches should pay their budgets.
• Model Budget Outline for Local Church 
• Where to Send Moneys--List that describes which monies come to the district and which go to Nazarene HQ.

Ceremonies

• Adoption Ceremony--A Ritual for New Adoptive Parents

Inactive Church Members

• Inactive Member Sample Letter--Sample form letter for pastors to use in notification of “inactive” church members.

Manual Statements Important to Membership, Pastoral Calling, and Ministry

• Local Church Membership (Manual 27, 107-112, 801)
• Calling a Pastor (Manual 115-119.1)
• Church-Pastor Relationship (Manual 116, 120-123.1)
• Laity and Staff Assistants (Manual 162)
• Ministry and Christian Service (Manual 412-419)
• Ministerial Confidentiality (Manual 433.14)

Resignation and Moving Minister Information

• Moving Arrangements for Pastors--Information on moving to a new pastoral assignment, as information on tenure and membership.
• Pastoral Reappointment Interview--Letter outlining expectations for Pastoral Re-Appointment Interview.
• Pastoral Review-Church Board Appointment--Memo to local church board about church/pastor review.
• Pastor's Resignaton Check List Off District--Pastor Move Arrangement (same as Moving arrangements pastor above)
• Release Letter--Letter which releases pastor from local church membership upon resignation.
• Resign Pastor--List of procedures to follow when resigning as pastor from a local church.

Prospective Pastor Information and Church Health Assessments

• Prospective Pastor Questionnaire--A questionnaire for prospective pastors seeking church appointments to fill out and send to the D.S.
• Questions for Pastoral Candidates--Series of questions, grouped by category, for pastoral candidates. Categories include family history, spirituality, leadership philosophy and style, preaching and worship style, etc.
• Rate Our Church--Questionnaire in Excel spreadsheet format that rates church health.
• Core Values--An assessment form to determine core values
• Expectations--A church survey to access pastoral expectations
• Governing Board Assessment--An audit for boards to assess board health.

 

 RESOURCES FOR DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS/PERSONNEL

Credentials:

• Credentials Board Questions for Interviews--Sample questions for prospective ministerial candidates.
• Ordination Interview Questions--Questions for applicants seeking ordination.
• Covenant Categories
• Tabulation Form
• Credentials Board Candidate Interview Form
• Ministerial Development--Process overview chart

• Ministerial Development--Guidelines and process

Ministerial Assessment:

• Assessment Center Resources--Brochures, letters, forms, exercises, evaluation forms, etc.

Conduct and Discipline Information:

• Discipline of Layperson--Sample policy form that explains the objectives of church discipline.
• District Center Conduct Code--Expectations of conduct, by Manual provision, for all guests, campers and cottage owners of any district center.

District Assembly Information:

• District Assembly Checklist--A list of items to do (mostly) before and after the assembly.
• District SSM Chairperson Job Description--Outlines the basic responsibilities of the District Sunday School Chairperson.
• Church Excellence Awards--An Excel spreadsheet which lists the categories of excellence and records the status of each local church.
•  District Award of Excellence Description Sheet--Describes for pastors the excellence in ministry award categories for the upcoming district assembly. Churches that achieve “excellence status” will be recognized and honored at the district assembly.

Pastoral Transition

• Pastoral Transition Board Meeting--Questionnaire for local church board during pastoral transition. Asks several questions about what qualities are desired in a pastor.
• Pastoral Transition Initial Agenda--Example agenda for initial church board meeting regarding pastoral transition.
• Pastoral Transition--A pdf file for the entire process 

District Office Forms:

• Sample District Newsletter
• District Ministries Survey-District effectiveness Pastoral survey
• District Policies Manual
• Links to District Forms and Policies

New Church and ReFocus

• Church Planter Covenant--A NewStart covenant between the church and the district.
• District Policies for NewStarts and ReFocus Churches

Clergy Reinstatement/Restoration:

• The Process of Response, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation, and the Restoration of the Clergy
• Request for Consideration of Return/Restoration of Credential
• Restoration Process and Application
• Board Member Profile--Outlines the ministry qualifications of the board member and their perception of the local church’s ministry.
• Church Board Registration--Lists church board officers and their assignments, and registers board attendance when the DS meets with the Church Board.

Church Properties Board:

• Church Properties Board Excerpt--Outlines the duties and responsibilities of the church properties board.

Ceremonies:

Installation & Bonding Services

Organizational Services for New Churches:

•      Organizational Service - Sample Ceremony
•      The Act of Organization of a New Church - Sample Ceremony

Letters:

• Review Approve Letter to Church--Letter from DS affirming the continuation of the ministry of the senior pastor of the church
• Welcome NMI Letter District Move--Welcome letter from district NWI rep to local pastor.
• Welcome Local Move
• Welcome SSM Letter District Move

 Review:

• Review Form--A form for the district advisory board to use for the District Superintendent's Review

Sabbatical:

• Sabbatical--Policies concerning a sabbatical for the DS and Assistant DS