PASTORAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHURCHES A description of pastoral relationships within the Presbyterian Church (USA) with possible considerations. I n the Presbyterian Church (USA), there are three kinds of pastoral relationships: permanent, designated, and temporary. There is also the provision for commissioned ruling elders. This brochure is an attempt to indicate the differences between pastoral relationships when a church transitions from permanent to temporary or from one temporary form to another. Permanent Designated Interim Temporary Supply Designated Pastor, Interim Pastor or Pastor, Associate Pastor Pastor, Associate Pastor Designated Co-Pastor, Interim Associate Elected by congregation and Designated Associate Pastor the relationship established Pastor Teaching elder, candidate, by presbytery. Call has to be Invited by the Session to or ruling elder secured by approved by presbytery and Approved by COM and fulfill pastoral duties for a can only be changed by the Session when there is presbytery to serve a term period not to exceed 12 presbytery. Ordinarily no pastor. (See of 2-4 years by vote of the “Student months at a time while the Associate Pastor may not be Supply” below) May be congregation. Nominated church seeks a pastor. called to succeed the pastor. called to be installed pastor by PNC (which can be the Ordinarily may not be the Description or associate pastor of a Session; if so, elected by Co-Pastor next installed pastor, church served as Two ministers called and the congregation) from or associate pastor installed with equal temporary supply, if among those candidates of a church served as responsibility for pastoral approved by 2/3 vote of designated by presbytery's Interim pastor. Interim ministry of one presbytery. COM. After two years as covenant may be renewed. congregation. Designated Pastor, by vote of congregation a Designated Pastor may become the permanent pastor.
PASTORAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHURCHES A description of pastoral relationships within the Presbyterian Church (USA) with possible considerations. I n the Presbyterian Church (USA), there are three kinds of pastoral relationships: permanent, designated, and temporary. There is also the provision for commissioned ruling elders. This brochure is an attempt to indicate the differences between pastoral relationships when a church transitions from permanent to temporary or from one temporary form to another. Permanent Designated Interim Temporary Supply Description Pastor, Associate Pastor Elected by congregation and the relationship established by presbytery. Call has to be approved by presbytery and can only be changed by presbytery. Ordinarily Associate Pastor may not be called to succeed the pastor. Co-Pastor Two ministers called and installed with equal responsibility for pastoral ministry of one congregation. Designated Pastor, Designated Co-Pastor, Designated Associate Pastor Approved by COM and presbytery to serve a term of 2-4 years by vote of the congregation. Nominated by PNC (which can be the Session; if so, elected by the congregation) from among those candidates designated by presbytery's COM. After two years as Designated Pastor, by vote of congregation a Designated Pastor may become the permanent pastor. Interim Pastor or Interim Associate Pastor Invited by the Session to fulfill pastoral duties for a period not to exceed 12 months at a time while the church seeks a pastor. Ordinarily may not be the next installed pastor, or associate pastor of a church served as Interim pastor. Interim covenant may be renewed. Pastor, Associate Pastor Teaching elder, candidate, or ruling elder secured by the Session when there is no pastor. (See “Student Supply” below) May be called to be installed pastor or associate pastor of a church served as temporary supply, if approved by 2/3 vote of presbytery.
PASTORAL_RELATIONSHIPS.docx