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Policy concerning Former Pastors
Definition
A former pastor is one who no longer serves as pastor, associate pastor, or in any temporary
pastoral relationship in a congregation once served, due to a call to other service, retirement,
release from or termination of ordained office, or involuntary termination.
Rationale
(1) When the pastoral relationship between a minister of Word and Sacrament and a
congregation is dissolved, the nature and character of the relationship changes. Both
the pastor and the congregation must disengage from the nature and character of the
pastoral relationship in order to engage and establish new relationships. This policy
addresses issues in this transition.
(2) When a pastor leaves a congregation due to reasons identified in #1 above, there are
certain ethical standards that should be followed in order for the ties between the former
pastor and the congregation to be severed and for new relationships to be established
between the new pastor and the congregation. (Among such standards are those provided in
the “Standards of Ethical Conduct” adopted by the 210th General Assembly.) When such
standards are followed, it helps to provide for a smooth transition and for a happy
relationship among all parties.
THE POLICY
1. During the closure phase of ministry, the "former pastor" shall provide written
correspondence to the congregation indicating the implications of this changed relationship--
especially the need for boundaries in this new relationship. [Presbytery shall have available for
church members, copies of Guidelines on how to relate to a former pastor.]
2. When a pastor resigns, retires, or leaves for other reasons, due care should be exercised not
to influence, by direction or indirection, by spoken or written word, the selection of any successor or
the policies of that successor.
3. We recognize the unique problem of a former pastor who will continue to reside in the
community which he/she served. Normally, former pastors shall have no contact with the church
previously served for at least two years following dissolution of the pastoral relationship. If there is
another Presbyterian presence within reasonable distance, the former pastor will be advised to
worship with that congregation. If there is no other Presbyterian presence except the congregation
formerly served, the former pastor may petition the Committee on Ministry to continue to worship
in his/her former parish following the above two year period. The Committee on Ministry must
approve this association with a former parish through a Covenant agreement clearly enumerating the
boundaries of acceptable behaviors by all parties (including families--see #f).
4. If the former pastor remains in the community, that person best honors their ordination
vows by exercising self-restraint regarding the business and spiritual well-being of the congregation.
He/she may maintain friendships with members of the former congregation, but he/she must avoid
conversations regarding policies, practices, or programs of that church as such conversations could
be perceived as attempting to influence decisions or relationships within the congregation. Under no
circumstances may the former pastor make public (or likely to be made public) statements critical of
the new pastor.
5. We remind the former pastor of the professional behavior standards as indicated in the
Book of Order, G-14.0606 and the CODE OF ETHICS adopted by the 210th General Assembly,
which make clear that former pastors may not officiate (funerals, weddings, baptisms) or provide
worship leadership in a former Parish unless personally invited to do so by the current Moderator of
Session.
6. While the Presbytery has no jurisdiction in making policy regarding family members (of
former pastors) who may wish to remain members of the church, it does recommend that good judgment
and restraint be practiced in order not to interfere with the transition to a new pastor.
(Adopted by COM, August 1998)
7 comments:
When I was a Wesleyan pastor for one year I was very blessed with some older loving people. I thought I was on a sabbatical. They were not demanding. All they really wanted was someone to preach, pastor the flock,visit the sick, and serve communion once a quarter. Thats it. When I gave my resignation most of the congregation understood my desire to return to the work of the army
and that they would miss me. I received my pension of one year and the blessing and prayers of the people and District Superintendent. I did not feel any rejection and left on good terms.
Whether someone has been a pastor in the Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church , The Salvation Army, or wherever, I see no reason to treat people in a mean-spirited manner.
When I resigned from Rockwell International after 10 years of service I was sent off with best wishes and a small party at the factory. People were happy for me in my new work and future. I will even receive a pension one day from Boeing , since that company purshased Rockwell.
If the world cares for it's formers and other denominations do also, why cant The Sal....... I think you can figure out what I mean.
USA East, former officer
Yes Bob I can figure out what you mean...
But I don't think it is what you mean
Cheers
Could this be a case of 'The grass is always greener on the otherside'? until we get there???
USA East
I wonder if things have mellowed in the eleven years since this article was written.
UKT
UKT- I know that a pastor in The Presbyterian Church after two years began to worship from time to time at his former pastorate and also preached there when needed.
That was about seven years ago.
The church must have made an exception in this case.
Former, USA East , residing in Arizona
I believe The SA's expectations are unique. From the WB Training College website: "Officership is a lifelong commitment and needs to be undertaken after deep thought and prayer. Only if you have a genuine love for people, a deeply-rooted faith and sense of personal mission, and have gained the relevant knowledge and skills, can you be appointed as a Salvation Army officer."
I didn't lose any of those unique characteristics when I divorced. Why can't I remain a full time officer ? The SA and a corps will be one shepherd short !
Former
14 years of active service
USA
Former
14 years of active service
USA
I don't know the answer to your question and am saddened this has not been resolved. Is divorce simply a USA issue? We have divorcees who were once formers now as actives in the UK.
Once former
Now active UKT
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