The Port Huron District

Because the consultation process is always of concern to those related to appointment making, this document is intended to answer many of the questions related to the appointive process. Note: when appointing an associate pastor, and when making appointments to cooperative parishes, other parties are included in the consultation process as well. For associate pastors, the senior pastor is consulted. In cooperative parish settings, the Director of the Cooperative Parish is consulted.

The Annual Consultation with the District Superintendent

District Superintendents will provide an annual administrative/pastoral consultation with each pastor under appointment or assignment to a congregation as well as with pastors in extension ministries within the district. This annual "one-on-one" is intended to accomplish the following:

1. Pastoral care
2. Supervision
3. Pastor's articulation of vision for ministry in current situation
4. Review of continuing education plans
5. Receiving and clarifying information about the pastor's present appointment
6. Review of personal / family considerations with regard to health, spouse employment, dependents, and other factors related to itinerancy.

The Appointive Process

Annually, pastors and Pastor/Staff-Parish Relations Committees update respective profiles (for pastors, the Pastor Profile; for P/S-PRCs, the Congregational Profile).

During the Fall, District Superintendents consult with the Cabinet and Bishop, and a change of appointment list is developed district-by-district. In January, the Cabinet refines this list and shares profiles of pastors and churches. Then the Cabinet begins work on appointments.

A request for a change of appointment may be initiated by 1) the pastor, 2) the Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee, or 3) the District Superintendent. Note: the submission of an Appointment Advisory form does not guarantee that such a change will occur.

Initiated by the Pastor:

1. Pastor requests a Pastor's Appointment Advisory form from the district office
2. District Superintendent reviews the pastor's Profile
3. District Superintendent reviews the congregation's Profile
4. District Superintendent reviews the Pastor-Charge Assessment form
5. District Superintendent consults with the Bishop and Cabinet

Initiated by PPRC/SPRC:

1. P/S-PRC chairperson requests an S/PPRC Appointment Advisory form from the district office
2. District Superintendent reviews pastor's Profile
3. District Superintendent reviews the congregation's Profile
4. District Superintendent reviews the Pastor-Charge Assessment form
5. District Superintendent consults with the Bishop and Cabinet

Initiated by Superintendent:

Superintendents may determine that a change of appointment is in the best interests of a congregation and/or pastor. If the DS is placing a church and pastor on the change-of-appointment list, the DS will inform both the P/S-PRC and the pastor. The DS will review all profiles. In the course of the appointive season, missional opportunities, strategic appointments, and other shifts will emerge, and pastors and churches not on the change of appointment list initially, may be considered for change.

Making a Pastoral Appointment

When the Bishop and Cabinet, through prayerful discernment and discussion, and study of the profiles of pastors and churches, have agreed on an appointment, the current DS calls the pastor to be appointed and arranges for conversation with the receiving DS. The receiving DS describes the congregation(s) and the context for ministry to the pastor. After prayerful consideration, the pastor is requested to respond within 48 hours to the sending District Superintendent.

The receiving DS arranges an introductory meeting of the P/S-PRC and pastor (and spouse). In addition, the receiving DS also arranges a pre-meeting conversation, generally over dinner, with the P/S-PRC chairperson, pastor, and Superintendant. Spouses of all parties are included as appropriate in the pre-meeting. Current Superintendant informs chairperson of current P/S-PRC when pastor is going to an introduction.

The district superintendant arranges for the pastor (and spouse) to visit the parsonage. The introductory meeting takes place with the entire P/S-PRC. Following a time of conversation, the pastor (and spouse) are asked to step out while feedback is received from the committee. The DS will also step out for a while to receive feedback from the pastor (and spouse).

If at any point in the process either party identifies concerns that merit further consideration, a reconsideration of the appointment may be requested, and the Bishop and Cabinet will review this request. Details of salary, housing, moving date, announcement date, etc. are discussed and agreed upon at the conclusion of this introductory meeting.

The Cabinet form, "Statement of Understanding," will be completed by the DS and signed by the pastor, P/S-PRC chairperson, and district superintendant. Receiving DS informs current DS of introduction results. Receiving DS sends copies of the Statement of Understanding, along with other necessary paperwork, to the present DS, the pastor, the church/charge treasurer, and the P/S-PRC chairperson.

The process begins again with the newly open church.

Appointments and the Extension Minister

Extension Ministers (ministers not appointed to local churches) are appointed by the Bishop after the appointment is approved by the Cabinet. The request for the appointment is brought to the Cabinet by the superintendent of the district where the Minister is serving or has his/her charge conference membership.

Extension Ministers are required to report annually to the Bishop, the district superintendent of the district where their charge conference is held, and the Board of Ordained Ministry. Report forms are provided by the Episcopal office.

Day-to-day supervision and evaluation of the extension minister is the responsibility of the employing agency or institution.

Appointments and the Full Member Deacon

Deacons in full connection may be appointed to serve in their primary field of service a) through agencies and settings beyond the local church, b) through United Methodist related agencies or schools or c) within a local congregation, charge, or cooperative parish. Deacons are responsible to seek out their service appointment in consultation with the appropriate personnel body and with the district superintendent, Bishop, and Cabinet.

When the primary appointment is to (a) or (b) above, there must be a secondary appointment to a local congregation/charge conference, in consultation with the pastor, district superintendent, Bishop, and Cabinet. A possible process for this is found on page 17 of the Ministry Interpretation Handbook. (The district superintendent should have a copy of the handbook.)

An annual report form will be supplied to the deacon who must report to the charge conference, district superintendent, Bishop, board of ordained ministry, conference secretary, and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Specifics regarding the appointment of Full Member Deacons are found in Paragraph 322 of The Book of Discipline, 2000.