PRACTICES OF GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER II -- PASTORS AND OTHER CHRISTIAN WORKERS

Section I - Duties and Privileges of Pastors

1. Initiation of Pastoral Service. The initiative in arrangements for the pastoral ministry is taken by the local Elders Board (See Part II, Chapter II, Section I, C., 5., paragraph 2), which, after due consultation with the General Superintendent, reports to the local church for its action. The local church, when satisfied with the report (to include an agreement on terms of financial support), extends the call. It is suggested that the local church formulate a written understanding with the pastor regarding the length of service, whether it is for one year, for a specified term of years, or for an indefinite time. It is of mutual benefit for churches and pastors to plan for longer terms of service. When a call has been accepted, the clerk of the local church shall so notify the General Superintendent.

When a new pastor comes from another Friends Yearly Meeting and when the person's membership and ministerial standing have been accepted, the church should request the clerk of the Yearly Meeting to issue a minister's certificate.

2. Pastoral Care. Pastors must carry on their labor in harmony with the principles of the denomination and agreeable to the provisions of this book of Faith and Practice, taking care that opportunity be afforded in all meetings for worship for the free exercise by members of the congregation of any gifts for service which the Lord may have conferred.

The pastor and the Elders Board share the responsibility for the spiritual care of the flock. The pastor may fulfill his or her part by carrying on, in addition to pulpit ministry, a program of systematic calling in the homes of members and other attenders, by individual counseling, by giving attention to the sick and bereaved, and by helping the needy in the name of the church. A pastor should, moreover, endeavor to encourage the departments of the church, such as the Sunday School and the Friends Youth, by presence and counsel. The pastor is an advisory member of all the committees appointed by the church and exercises necessary supervision over their activities, lending incentive and encouragement when needed and giving advice and instruction for the proper functioning of these agencies. The pastor may assist them further by presenting special messages (or giving way for an invited speaker to do so) on the special phases of their work. Pastors should not in any sense dominate the work of the church, but should strive to bring every officer and committee to full activity and efficiency, with each reaching and maintaining complete responsibility for the performance of its duties.

3. Unrecorded Pastors. In cases where it seems advisable for a church to employ as pastor a person who has not yet been recorded, or for the Yearly Meeting Elders Board to approve such a person for a special ministry, the presiding clerk of the Yearly Meeting, upon recommendation by the Chairperson of the Elders Board and the General Superintendent, issues to such pastor year by year an Annual Certificate. This certificate authorizes the pastor to fulfill the usual functions of a minister, including the performing of wedding ceremonies when proper arrangements have been made with the civil authorities.

4. Performance of Marriage Ceremonies. One who has been recorded as a minister of the Gospel has all the rights and responsibilities usually pertaining thereto including the performing of wedding ceremonies. The minister should exercise discretion in using the powers of performing wedding ceremonies, giving adequate counseling to those being married. In the use of such authority, and any other which involves legal procedure regulated by civil law, pastors must be careful to observe strictly all demands of such law.

5. Annual Report of Pastoral Activities. Every pastor employed within the Yearly Meeting sends an annual report, on a blank provided for the purpose, to the General Superintendent. Pastors make all the required statements concerning their work and activities.

6. Continuation or Termination of Pastoral Service. The pastor may be called for another year or term of service at the discretion of the local church; this should be done not less than three months before the close of the pastoral year.

When possible, termination should coincide with the close of the pastoral year. Pastors feeling that their work is done may terminate this relationship by written notice at least three months in advance. If the local church feels dissatisfied with the pastoral relationship, the Elders Board should meet with the pastor to discuss grievances. At their discretion, the pastor may be asked to be absent while the final decision is being reached. If a pastor's services are no longer required, the pastor should be given written notice at least three months in advance.

In certain situations an immediate removal of a pastor may be required, due to failures in morals, spiritual values, or integrity. In such instances the local Elders Board and/or the Yearly Meeting Elders Board may take such action for the good of the local church and all parties involved. Care should be given to provide a redemptive ministry to the pastor involved and to care for finances for a reasonable period of time to allow for adjustments to be made.

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Section II - Other Christian Workers

1. Appointment. The Elders Board may from time to time recommend, and the local church may appoint if it sees fit, members who are not ministers to perform some special types of service for the church. These may include assistant pastors, parish workers, musical directors, vocal or instrumental musicians, young people's workers, or helpers for any other service which contributes to the spiritual program of the church.

2. Liberation and Recommendation. When a Christian worker as defined above feels led, and an opportunity has been offered, to perform some special type of service temporarily outside his/her own local church, the worker presents the concern to the Elders Board. If this board unites in the concern, it recommends to the church that a certificate of its unity and approval be granted. If the church concurs, it may grant the certificate, affirming the worker's good standing and usefulness in the church and commending that person to the fellowship of those among whom he or she will labor.

3. Special Speakers. Local meetings should exercise care in allowing persons to speak in their meetings, even though they may represent themselves as being involved in some form of ministry. Care should be taken to make certain that those who are members of other meetings or Yearly Meetings are in good standing with their meetings. In relation to those who are not Friends, care should be exercised to determine if these have the approval of the proper authorities of their own church. A special caution should be noted in relation to persons who denounce the church or teach contrary to Friends' belief and practice.

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