POLICY TO BE EMPLOYED WHERE CHANGES IN PERSONAL LIFE SITUATIONS
MAY AFFECT MINISTERIAL FITNESS AND/OR EFFECTIVENESS
I. INTRODUCTION:
a. In the United Methodist Church, ordained ministry functions within a covenant with other ordained ministers.
b. This covenant is not defined within the context of rules and regulations, but stands upon the inner commitment and outer performance of the ordained ministers. Therefore, changes in the personal life of an ordained minister may affect this covenant.
c. The purpose of this conference policy is to enable ordained Ministers involved in such changes to review their relationship with those with whom they are in covenant; and, if the relationship is found to be weakened, to restore it to wholeness when possible. If the covenant of ordained ministry can no longer be maintained within the life of the ordained minister, the policy is designed to provide support for the ordained minister involved in the transition.
II. A POLICY FOR ORDAINED CONFERENCE MEMBERS IN CHANGING SITUATIONS:
a. Primary concern is for the individual as a person of sacred worth, and the individual's fitness for ministry.
1. Persons must be dealt with, with compassion
2. Each case must be considered on its own merits
3. Any adequate review of an individual case will require the participation of peers
b. When a district superintendent deems it necessary to deal with an ordained minister whose effectiveness may be impaired because of personal relationships or life-style, he/she shall request a meeting with the bishop and a representative of the Conference Relations Committee of the BOM. It is to be understood that the ordained minister in question, or the BOM, or the bishop may also initiate such a meeting. This does not preclude the procedures in ¶ 359.
c. All requests for changes of conference relations must be presented to the Conference Relations Committee of the BOM. The Conference Relations Committee will assume the responsibility of personally contacting these persons to review their requests.
d. Each individual within the covenant of the ordained ministry bears the responsibility of facing honestly those elements in his/her personal life, which may affect fitness for, or effectiveness in ministry.
III. A CONFERENCE POLICY IN SITUATIONS WHERE A PASTOR IS A PARTY IN A LEGAL SEPARATION OR A DIVORCE
Ordained and licensed ministers serve as representatives and symbols of the community of faith. Because of this, ordained ministers and local pastors under appointment may find being a party in a legal separation, a divorce, or other situations of personal trauma especially difficult. In light of this, the Western New York Conference of the United Methodist Church adopts the following policy:
a. Each pastor involved in a legal separation or a divorce proceeding shall be required to meet with:
1. His/her district superintendent
2. The BOM through its Conference Relations Committee. The purpose of the meeting shall be to inquire into the continued ministerial effectiveness of the pastor, and to sustain the pastor and spouse and the community of faith.
b. If the pastor, cabinet, and the BOM agree that circumstances warrant a temporary withdrawal from the effective (active) ministry as a pastor, the pastor may be granted a leave of absence in accordance with the provisions of ¶ 352.
c. Until the pastor's situation is resolved, whether by reconciliation or a divorce, the pastor shall maintain regular contact with the BOM through its Conference Relations Committee.
d. If the conduct of the pastor involved in a legal separation or a divorce situation is found to be in conflict with the Discipline, the BOM will forward a formal complaint to the bishop.
e. The pastor's district superintendent shall continue to be in consultation with the Pastor- Parish Relations Committee and shall be a support to the congregation throughout the pastor's separation and divorce.