Section: Renewing the Local Church/Pastoral Relationship

This special church/pastoral relationship review meeting shall be conducted in executive session (church board, including pastor). At the discretion of the district superintendent, a portion of the review may be conducted in the absence of the pastor. In case the pastor’s spouse is an elected member of the board, he or she shall not participate in the review. In addition, the district superintendent or appointed representative may recuse other immediate relatives of the pastor from the review.

If the district superintendent and the local church board shall be of the opinion that the question of the continuance of the church/pastoral relationship should be submitted to the church, the district superintendent and the local church board by a two-thirds vote by ballot of all its members present, except where civil law of a given country requires otherwise, may order the question submitted for vote at a special church meeting. The question shall be submitted in the following form: “Shall the present church/pastoral relationship be continued?”

If by a two-thirds vote by ballot of the church members of voting age present and voting, except where civil law of a given country requires otherwise, the church decides to continue its present church/pastoral relationship, the term of office of the pastor shall continue as though such vote had not been taken.

If, however, the church fails to decide by such vote to continue the present church/pastoral relationship, the term of office of the pastor shall terminate on a date, set by the district superintendent, not more than 180 days following the vote.

If the pastor chooses not to proceed with the vote of the congregation or chooses not to accept the vote, he or she shall submit a resignation. In such case, the church/pastoral relationship shall end on a date set by the district superintendent, not fewer than 30 nor more than 180 days following the pastor’s decision not to proceed with or accept the congregational vote. (113.8, 123–124)

Local Church in Crisis. Upon learning that a local church is approaching crisis, the district superintendent with the approval of the District Advisory Board shall have the authority to impanel a committee to review the situation and implement procedures to avert a crisis. The committee shall consist of two assigned ordained ministers and two lay members of the District Advisory Board, and the district superintendent who shall serve as chairperson. (211.3)

When in the opinion of the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board, a local church is declared in crisis—financial, morale, or otherwise—and this crisis seriously affects the stability and future of the church, (a) the question of continued church/pastoral relationship may be submitted to the local congregation by the district superintendent or a member of the District Advisory Board appointed by the district superintendent as if the church board had requested the vote under paragraph 123–123.7, or (b) the tenure of a pastor and/or church board may be terminated with the approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction, and by the majority vote of the District Advisory Board. The district superintendent, with approval of the District Advisory Board, may appoint members of the church board for any church that has been declared in crisis. Notification of the District Advisory Board action shall be sent to the general superintendent in jurisdiction within 30 days. (211.3)

When in the opinion of the district superintendent, a local church declared in crisis in accordance with paragraph 126.1 has fulfilled the interventions set in place and is ready to resume its ministry under normal circumstances, the local church may be declared out of crisis by the majority vote of the District Advisory Board. The general superintendent in jurisdiction shall be notified of the District Advisory Board action within 30 days. (211.4)