Understanding the Global Methodist Appointment Process for Clergy and Congregations

The Global Methodist Church employs a SENT ministry. A sent ministry is a ministry where pastors are SENT where they are called to serve by the bishop. Once sent, the pastor will be appointed to that local church or an extension ministry to serve in their role as a clergy person. Pastors in the Global Methodist Church are not called to a local church; this means the local church does not call a pastor to be their leader. However, the local church does have significant input in the appointment-making process. In this article, we will cover important details about this process as we all adjust to a new method.

The process for setting an appointment is a confidential, collaborative consultation between the bishop, the conference superintendent, the cabinet, the presiding elder, the clergy candidates, and the local church’s Pastor-Parish Relations Committee or PPRC (in some churches, this is referred to as the Staff-Parish Relations Committee or SPRC). The local church’s presiding elder is the nucleus of the appointment-making process. When a presiding elder learns of a need to fill a pastoral position for a local church, they first communicate this need to the cabinet (the cabinet consists of all the presiding elders across the conference). The cabinet then shares information regarding the needs of the local church and discusses all of these considerations among the presiding elders. Many factors will be considered, including location, the spiritual needs of the local church and community, whether the position is full-time or part-time, whether a parsonage or housing allowance is provided, salary, health insurance, pension, travel expenses, continuing education, other benefits, and the family concerns of the pastor. All of this is blanketed in prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit. 

Once the presiding elder has investigated and collected all the necessary information, they then explore all available candidates who are seeking an appointment change. When looking at potential candidates, there are several types of clergy qualifiers to consider:

1. Supply Pastor: A supply pastor is a certified candidate for ordination and has been approved by the MidSouth Annual Conference Board of Ministry. The supply pastor is typically in the process of exploring their calling and completing the educational requirements outlined in the Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church. A supply pastor has five years to complete the requirements and become eligible for ordination as a deacon or an elder.
2. Transitional Local Pastor: A transitional local pastor is a licensed local pastor who transferred into the Global Methodist Church from the United Methodist Church. Their clergy status is recognized, and like the supply pastors (see above), transitional local pastors have five years to become eligible for ordination as a deacon or elder.
3. Deacon: A deacon is a clergy person whose calling is to the ministry of Word, Service, Compassion, and Justice. Deacons can serve in many areas of ministry within the Global Methodist Church. If you’d like to learn more about the calling of deacon or elder, check out our resources for discernment.
4. Elder: From the order of deacons, some are called to be elders. An elder is a clergy person who is called to the ministry of Word, Sacrament, and Order. Only elders can serve as presiding elders, conference superintendent, or bishop. If you’d like to learn more about the calling of deacon or elder, check out our resources for discernment.

Bishops in the Global Methodist Church can appoint a clergy person as a supply pastor, transitional local pastor, deacon, or elder. There is also a provision for clergy from other denominations to be considered.

After consultation with the cabinet, the presiding elder will then select two or three top candidates who they believe will be the best fit for the opening. Once these candidates have agreed to their consideration, their names will be shared with the chairperson of the PPRC/SPRC of the local church, the cabinet, and the presiding elder. If a candidate is not interested, their name will not be presented as a candidate in keeping with the Global Methodist aim to consult with clergy persons in their calling and appointments. Clergy will provide their permission for the use of their information and desires in advance. This entire process is carried out in a strictly confidential manner to protect the integrity of those involved and to ensure the best possible outcome. 

It is important to note that in the Global Methodist Church, clergy are not guaranteed an appointment, nor are they compelled to accept any particular appointment. The local church is never forced to take a recommended pastor if they feel it would not be a good fit. This ensures that no pastor will be forced to serve in an appointment to which they did not agree, and no local church will have to accept a pastor they do not want.

The chairperson of the local church PPRC/SPRC will then convene their committee members and put into action (with approval of the presiding elder) a process to explore the candidates whom the presiding elder has presented.  The PPRC/SPRC can then meet with candidates to discuss the local church’s desires, hopes, and dreams, as well as give the clergy candidates an opportunity to explore their desires, hopes, and dreams with the PPRC/SPRC. When the PPRC/SPRC agrees on a candidate (from those submitted by the presiding elder), the presiding elder will then meet with the PPRC/SPRC and the chosen candidate. At that point, the church and pastor will discuss and agree on proposals for issues such as spiritual gifts, the congregation’s needs, salary, housing, benefits, and other concerns or requirements. The presiding elder is in attendance to ensure all provisions of the Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church are followed.

If the local PPRC/SPRC rejects the candidates presented, the PPRC/SPRC should consider that the top candidates were provided. Many PPRC/SPRC members will be looking for the “perfect” pastor. The reality is, all pastors are human, and there is no such thing as a “perfect pastor.” The PPRC/SPRC needs to consider the best possible fit, not a perfect fit. The Global Methodist Church does have a process for a local church to seek a pastor independently. However, if the PPRC/SPRC desires that path, it is a lengthy process and requires approval from the bishop, the conference superintendent, the Board of Ministry, the cabinet, and the presiding elder. Information about this process can be found in ¶ 610.7 of the Book of Doctrines and Disciplines of the Global Methodist Church.

If an agreement is reached, the presiding elder will present the proposal to the conference superintendent. The conference superintendent will share that information with the cabinet members and, if they agree, then the conference superintendent will forward the information to the bishop and request that the bishop consider the appointment with the blessing of the local church PPRC/SPRC, the local church’s presiding elder, the cabinet, and the conference superintendent.  

It is important to note that local churches in the Global Methodist Church do not “hire” the pastor. The bishop sends the pastor to serve. Employment contracts are invalid in the Global Methodist Church, and no pastor should ever be presented with an employment contract by a local church. The clergy appointment process is spelled out in ¶ 610 of the Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church. The local church does not vote on who its new pastor will be. The PPRC/SPRC is charged with recommending their top choice of candidates sent by the presiding elder. The PPRC/SPRC should consider all the candidates without regard to race, tribal or ethnic origin, gender, disability, marital status, or age.  

If the appointment is made (fixed) by the bishop, the clergy person becomes the pastor of the local church. The pastoral appointment in the MidSouth Annual Conference is set until the pastor seeks retirement, resigns, or asks to be considered for a new appointment on their own or by a presiding elder, or at such time as the chairperson of the PPRC/SPRC notifies the presiding elder that they want to consider a new appointment.

If a pastor wishes to leave a local church or if the church is considering a new appointment, specific policies must be followed. That process will be addressed in a later article.

If you have questions, concerns, or require additional information, please contact the chairperson of the local church PPRC/SPRC or the presiding elder in your district. You can also refer to the Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church. A free copy can be downloaded at www.globalmethodist.org. 

Are you ready to explore a new appointment as a clergy person or a local church? Explore our MidSouth clergy and congregation resources to initiate the appointment process.