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Philosophy and Purpose
The pastor's home has long been regarded as an integral part of the community. A suitable home for the pastor is a real asset to the church and its ministry in that community. The pastor is not only of member of his/her own family, but a resident pastor and responsible citizen. The local church must provide living conditions which will establish an adequate base from which the pastor is to operate.

The parsonage shall be regarded as the pastor's home and the privacy of the parsonage family shall be respected at all times. No unannounced "inspections" shall be conducted. Keys to the parsonage shall be limited to the parsonage family and the church office or a person mutually designated by the parsonage family and the Board of Trustees.

Implementation

There shall be a parsonage committee consisting of representatives of the Board of Trustees, United Methodist Women, and Pastor Parish Relations Committee, and/or additional persons with special skills and interest under the direction of the Board of Trustees. This committee shall use these minimum standards for all parsonages in the Detroit Conference. The District Board of Church Location and Building is required to approve plans for a new parsonage (built or purchased).

Location

The parsonage should be located so as to be conducive to the best possible living conditions on the part of the family, with special reference to its being accessible to schools and stores. The family should have the opportunity to follow the customary family patters without unnecessary interruptions. If at all possible, the parsonage would be located within walking distance of the church building. The parsonage should never be in a place where it could conceivably be a hindrance to the future expansion of the church buildings.

The booklet on "Parsonage Planning" published by the National Division, Board of Global Missions, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 307 New York, New York 10027, contains further discussion of factors to be considered tin parsonage location.

Minimum Requirements for Present Parsonages:

1. There shall be a safe and dependable hot and cold water system throughout the house, including water softening equipment where needed. Two or more outside spigots shall be provided.
   
2. There shall be a central heating system. The heating system shall have sufficient capacity to bring the entire habitable part of the house to a comfortable temperature. A humidifier shall be provided where necessary.
   
3. For responsible stewardship of energy and finance, the house shall be fully insulated, with storm and screen doors and windows.
   
4. All moveable windows shall be in operating condition.
   
5. All utilities shall be provided. The local church shall pay basic telephone charges, and personal long distance costs are the pastor's responsibility. Utilities shall be secured in the name of the church to insure uninterrupted service during a change of pastors.
   
6. There shall be either a septic tank in good working condition, with adequate drainage area on the parsonage property; or sufficient access to a public sewer system. A sump pump shall be provided where there is basement flooding. There shall be a dehumidifier in the basement.
   
7. The grounds around the house shall be well drained. The parsonage shall be furnished with material and equipment for care of the grounds, including lawn mower (consider a power mower for larger lawns), rake, ladder, hose, seed, fertilizer, snow removal equipment (consider power equipment or service where needed), etc. and storage space for the same.
   
8. Automatic clothes washer and dryer shall be furnished and maintained, along with stationary tubs, plus suitable space for indoor and/or outdoor drying of clothes. Plumbing shut-off valves should be provided at appliances.
   
9. There shall be an adequate television antenna or negotiated television cable service where geographic area warrants it.
   
10. There shall be adequate electrical power and outlets and safe wiring.
    
11. There shall be adequate shelter (in good condition and conveniently located) for the pastor's car.
    
12. There shall be a garbage disposal unit or service.
    
13. The rooms shall be furnished with curtains (or drapes). Carpets,, appropriate floor coverings or finished hardwood floors shall be standard for all room.
    
14. The kitchen shall be furnished with good floor covering, and equipped with a good range, standard sink, automatic refrigerator with freezer space, and adequate storage cabinets.
    
15. There shall be a full bathroom and considerations given to an additional half bathroom in each parsonage. Each bathroom shall have washable walls or tiles, mirror, and adequate medicine chest and storage. Adequate linen storage shall be provided.
    
16. Adequate closet and storage space shall be provided throughout the house.
    
17. Each parsonage shall have at least a kitchen, living room, dining room or a living-dining combination, three bedrooms, bath, and an area for utilities. Consideration should be given to a family-recreation room. It is essential to have a study for the pastor, in the parsonage or the church.
    
18. The pastor's office (in the parsonage or the church building) shall be furnished with bookshelves, desk, chair, file cabinet, typewriter and stand, storage cabinet, private telephone line, extra office chairs, sufficient lighting, coat rack, and all necessary supplies. An outside entrance should b considered,
    
19. Long lasting type fire extinguishers shall be furnished in the kitchen and hear the heating plant.
    
20. The parsonage shall have adequate outside lighting.
    
21. The parsonage shall be of sound construction and sound foundations. Cracking walls and sagging floors are danger signs of structural unsoundness. Do not attempt to remodel existing parsonages if it involves extensive structural modifications, partition moving, or cutting of exterior walls.
    

Recommended Requirements for New Parsonages (Built or Purchased)

All the foregoing minimum requirements for present parsonages shall be met. The following additions may be desirable:

1. Zoned central heat with gas, oil, or electric fuel source.
   
2. Eaves troughs and downspouts, or metal flashings.
   
3. Automatic dish waster with energy saving options.
   
4. Automatic defrosting refrigerator with minimum energy usage.
   
5. Two baths
   
6. Hoods or exhaust fan in kitchen.
   
7. Wall to wall carpet, where appropriate.
   
8. Water spigot and drain in basement.
   
9. Outside storm drain tiles and footings.
   
10. Two car garage, with automatic door opener.
    
11. Outside electrical outlets with inside switches.
    
12. Giving attention to sound conditions from room to room by offsetting heating and electrical outlets and providing sound-proofing insulation if building.
    
13. Include generous roof overhang for sun and rain protection.
    
14. Adjoining one of the bathrooms to the master bedroom.
    
15. Locating and orienting the parsonage on the site so as to take into consideration the public, the private, and the service areas in the site planning. Maximum use of the sun in heating and cooling should be a priority factor in site planning and design.
    

The booklet on "Parsonage Planning", published by the National Division of the Board of Global Missions, (see page 1), should be used as a guide for square foot requirements for rooms.

Maintenance and Parsonage Inspection & Standards

Church's Responsibility

In general the Church is responsible for all major appliances, major repairs to the parsonage along with carpet repair, replacement, cleaning of non-washable drapes and periodic major cleaning of the parsonage.

1. The parsonage committee shall arrange to consult at the parsonage with the family at least once a year about property and equipment.
   
2. The parsonage shall be regarded as the pastor's home and the privacy of the parsonage family shall be respected at all times. No unannounced "inspections" shall be conducted. Keys to the parsonage shall be limited to the parsonage family and the church office or a person mutually designated by the parsonage family and the Board of Trustees.
   
3. To better facilitate maintenance, we suggest a log or major appliances be kept by the parsonage committee including records of dates purchases, repairs, warranties, and service contracts.
   
4. A refurbishing and replacement schedule should be set up. We recommend that the church budget include a separate parsonage maintenance fund to be carried over and accumulated from year to year. Consider a percentage of parsonage value as a yearly goal.
   
5. At the time of a new appointment there shall be a contact person between the pastor-parish relations committee and the pastor, and a clear understanding of the procedures for maintenance.
   
   • which repairs and maintenance pastor should expect to do.
   • which breakdowns should be reported for referral to get the job done (or who the pastor should notify.)
     
   • what amount is in the church budget in a separate parsonage maintenance fund.
6. In the area of interior decorating, the parsonage committee and the parsonage family shall work together before any changes are made. If non-washable drapes are used, cleaning responsibilities is the church's. Carpet repair, replacement and periodic major cleaning is the responsibility of the local church unless damage is caused by carelessness of the parsonage family.
   
7. At the time of a change of pastors, the parsonage committee shall take responsibility for seeing that the parsonage is in good condition for the incoming pastor. Needed cleaning shall be the responsibility of the outgoing pastor, but if this has not been cared for, the parsonage committee shall assume this responsibility. If needed cleaning is due to neglect or carelessness, the cost of said cleaning shall be paid by the outgoing pastor.
   
8. Ordinary mowing and trimming of lawn shall be the responsibility of the pastor, fertilizing and law treatment, tree pruning and landscaping changes, if needed or desired, shall be done by the church.
   

Pastor's Responsibility

In general the Parsonage family has the responsibility of not misusing the parsonage and to keep it in good repair and clean. In addition the pastor shall be responsible for his/her pet(s); any damage caused by pet(s) must be corrected by the parsonage family.

1. The parsonage family has the responsibility of not missuing the parsonage. They should keep the house in good repair and presentable to the public.
   
2. The parsonage shall be kept clean. This includes normal cleaning of walls, woodwork, carpets, drapes (if washable), and appliances as needed.
   
3. The pastor shall be responsible for his/her pet(s). All necessary precaution shall be taken to prevent pets from damaging the parsonage. Such damage must be corrected by the parsonage family.
   
4. The pastor shall negotiate with the parsonage committee an understanding of what separates minor repairs (pastor's responsibility) and major repairs (church's responsibility). The parsonage family is responsible for: cutting the lawn, shoveling snow, cleaning the eaves troughs and doing minor plumbing and other repairs, putting up storm windows and doors. If the use of extension ladders are needed, the pastor should negotiate help from the church.
   
5. A pastor's move should be arranged as soon as possible after Annual Conference. Upon moving the parsonage family should do their part in leaving the house clean and in good order. A committee from the local church should come in to do last minute cleanup, but it should not be necessary to do major cleaning.
   
6. There shall be submitted to the parsonage committee a monthly listing of what needs repairing, cleaning, and replacing.
   

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