118

In case of disagreement between the church board and the district superintendent regarding pastoral arrangements, the church board or the district superintendent may submit the matter to the general superintendent having jurisdiction for his or her decision. From such decision either the church board or the district superintendent may appeal to the Board of General Superintendents. All such appeals, rebuttals of appeals, or arguments pertaining thereto, whether to the general superintendent in jurisdiction or the Board of General Superintendents, shall be in writing. A copy of the appeal, rebuttals of appeals, or arguments pertaining thereto by either the church board or the district superintendent shall be sent to the other party involved. The minute record of a church board appeal shall include the appeal resolution, arguments sustaining it, and the record of the vote taken. If a minister under consideration withdraws his or her name, or if a pastoral candidate is found to be unavailable for consideration, the appeal process should terminate immediately, and the district superintendent and church board shall continue with pastoral arrangements.

120

The pastor desiring to resign from a pastoral assignment shall:

  1. First consult with the district superintendent;
  2. Provide a written resignation to the church board at least 30 days prior to termination of the pastorate; and
  3. Send a copy to the district superintendent.

When the resignation is received by the church board and approved in writing by the district superintendent, the termination date shall be finalized within 30 days.

120.1

The pastor who resigns shall, in cooperation with the secretary of the church board, prepare a correct list of the church membership roll with current addresses. This roll must correspond numerically with the last published district minutes showing deletions and additions for the current year.

121

Upon the recommendation of the church board and approval of the district superintendent, a congregation may elect co-pastors to serve. In this case, the following stipulations will apply:

  1. The co-pastors shall work with the church board, under the direction of the district superintendent, to develop a plan for shared responsibility and authority.
  2. Co-pastors are equals in the pastoral office. If required by law, one person shall be officially designated by the church board as the presiding officer, serving as president of the corporation and chairperson of the church board.
  3. The church/pastoral relationship review process shall be conducted as provided for in paragraphs 123–123.7.
  4. A local church whose pastor has not been appointed and who has served for at least two years may add one or more ministers as co-pastors by following paragraph 115 for this process. Upon approval by the district superintendent and a two-thirds vote of all the church board members, the church will vote whether to add any co-pastor. A co-pastor candidate would need to receive a two-thirds vote of the congregation in order to be approved to serve as co-pastor for that local church.
  5. If the necessary two-thirds vote is received, the two-year term would then begin on the same date for each minister. A regular church/pastoral relationship review would be scheduled within 60 days of the second anniversary of the pastoral service of the co-pastors (115, 123–123.7).