Section: The District Superintendent

To approve or disapprove in writing requests from the pastor and the local church board to have or to employ any unpaid associate pastors or paid local associates (such as associate pastors; ministers or directors of Christian education, children, youth, adult, music, childcare/schools {birth through secondary}, etc.). The primary criteria for the district superintendent’s decisions to approve or disapprove, in concept, the hiring of paid staff will be the willingness and ability of the church to meet its local, district, and general obligations. It is the pastor’s responsibility to screen and select pastoral associates. However, the district superintendent shall have the right to disapprove the nominee. (129.27, 159–159.8)

To approve or disapprove, with the District Advisory Board, requests from local churches to operate Christian childcare/school (birth through secondary) ministries. (151, 225.14, 517)

To execute and sign, along with the secretary of the District Advisory Board, all legal documents of the district. (225.6)

To nominate to the District Advisory Board and to supervise any paid assistants on the district. (245)

To appoint pastors in keeping with paragraph 117.

The district superintendent may, with the approval of the District Advisory Board, appoint the members of the church board (stewards, trustees), the chairperson of the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) Board, and other church officers (secretary, treasurer) if a church has been organized for fewer than five years, or had fewer than thirty-five voting members in the previous annual church meeting, or is receiving regular financial assistance from the district, or has been declared in crisis. The total number of members of such board shall not be fewer than three. (117, 126)

To cause to be investigated written accusations against a minister in his or her assembly district, according to paragraphs 606–606.3.

To appoint in consultation with the District Advisory Board qualified clergy and laity to serve as a recovery team prepared to provide a timely and redemptive response to the minister, his or her spouse and family, church, and community in situations of clergy misconduct. When such situations arise, the district superintendent shall deploy a recovery team as immediately as possible and in accordance with the district plan. (225.5, 540.1)

The district superintendent shall schedule and conduct a self-assessment and review in consultation with the tenured evangelist in accordance with paragraph 510.4.

To strongly encourage, along with district leadership, each local church to achieve its individual general, district, and educational funding goals.