How are Pastors Assigned to Churches?

Communication and connections with clergy and congregations are priorities in the GMC. Thus, we are limiting the number of charges supervised by Presiding Elders (DSs) to 15. As churches are added to districts, we will reorganize and establish new districts to maintain this manageable size. All of our PEs in the MidSouth are either retired pastors or pastors serving full-time churches, although some larger conferences are able to support their PEs full-time. With a small number of churches and clergy under their care, our PEs are closely involved with and more aware of each ministry location and ministers appointed.

More specifically to your question….

1. When a pastor is interested in relocating or wishes to be considered by a particular church, he/she shares an updated profile with the PE. That profile is shared with the other PEs who then can recommend that pastor (along with others who wish to be considered) to the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committees of churches seeking the kind of pastoral leadership these pastors can provide.

2. Once the S/PPRC indicate which pastors they would like to consider, the PE follows up with each pastor as to whether he/she would like to engage in the consultation process with that church. When that list is confirmed, the pastor(s) and S/PPRC meet to get acquainted and ask questions of each other. I have developed a guide for this conversation (attached).

3. Following those conversations and a period of prayerful discernment, the PE follows up with the S/PPRC for their thoughts. If they met with more than one pastor, they can offer a list of preferences to the PE. If there is not a consensus about any pastor with whom they met, the consultations continue. If there is a consensus, the PE follows up with the pastor to determine whether he/she wishes to be considered for that appointment.

4. When there is an agreement with the S/PPRC, pastor and PE about the appointment, the PE contacts the Bishop and recommends the clergy to be appointed to that charge. The Bishop has the final authority in all appointments, but also relies heavily upon the decision of the PEs who have been involved in the process with the churches and pastors. These appointments are being made throughout the year, not once/year at annual conference.

I have pastors and Presidents Pro Tempore as well as our Bishops contacting me with names of pastor seeking appointments and churches needed pastors. We are not bound by Conference lines as we assist each other in connecting pastors and congregations.