NEW CASTLE PRESBYTERY

Policy Concerning Departing Pastors and Their Former Parishioners

 

Introduction

The act of a pastor leaving a field of service means that the pastor must completely sever the pastoral relationship with that congregation. This does not mean that the ties of love and friendship must be broken. However, a departing pastor is ethically responsible to strengthen the ties between the new pastor and members of the congregation. For this reason our Book of Order contains a policy for departing pastors which needs to be strictly followed.

 

Policy

 

New Castle Presbytery, following our constitution and in accordance with the Book of Order G14.0606 affirms the following policy.

 

Former pastors shall not conduct worship, preach, celebrate the sacraments of Baptism or the Lord’s Supper, conduct weddings or funerals, or engage in any other form of pastoral care for the congregation previously served.

Congregational members are informed not to request such services from the former pastor, and the former pastor must decline any such requests.

 

Exceptions to this rule may only be granted by the Committee on Ministry.

 

The Committee on Ministry must assume some responsibility for assisting both former and incumbent pastors in such a transition. To this end this policy will be given to a departing pastor, asking for a signed covenant of agreement.

 

Guidelines

While friendships with the departing pastor will surely continue, the pastoral relationship must not. This is an important distinction. It marks a boundary that is essential to the well-being of the congregation as it moves forward under new pastoral leadership. Hence, such friendships must not impinge on any pastoral services which are the province of the new pastor, e.g., hospital visits, weddings, funerals, counseling, or upon any policies of the church under the new pastor’s leadership.

 

It is understood that the departed pastor will not return to worship with a congregation that he/she has served without the permission of the Committee on Ministry. The departing pastor must refrain from any activity which could be viewed as detrimental to the congregation which he/she has just served. If these guidelines and the above policies are not observed the Committee on Ministry may intervene.

 

The departure of a pastor and the ensuing restrictions may be eased when that pastor, before he/she leaves, makes it clear to the congregation what is his/her day of departure, and what they must expect when that day arrives. Oral announcements as well as bulletin and newsletter printed announcements of this date and of the church’s policy should he provided. These restrictions will be difficult for the congregation to adhere to, but they need to be made aware of the necessity for them, it will be up to the departing pastor to fully inform the congregation of them and of the rationale for them, and then to adhere strictly to them himself/herself.

 

The spouse of a departing pastor may continue to participate as a member of the congregation, supporting and encouraging the ministry of the new leadership, but he/she must exercise restraint and good judgment in this new role.

 

Departing pastors, when invited to give leadership in community events, should consult with the current pastor concerning the appropriateness of such a role.

If tensions develop between an incumbent pastor or the moderator and any former pastor or associate pastor of the congregation presently being served, or if the congregation does not accept the restrictions of the Book of Order, then that installed pastor or the Session of such a church is encouraged to solicit the advice and counsel of the Committee on Ministry.

 

 

 

 

 

Return to Committee on Ministry docs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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