1310:14–24

(14) Recommend that the district board of administration authorize the establishment of a mission (537), a developing church (510), a church (518), the reclassification of a church (518:7); and to preside over the organization of an established church or appoint a representative to do so (520); and to report the organization of new churches to the district board of administration and to the district conference (520:6).

(15) Supervise and promote the process of a developing church, approving the reception of members (510:2; Gen. Bd. Policy on Ch. Disc. 5105), appointing the local advisory council in cooperation with the pastor (510:3), and approving the plans of the pastor and the local advisory council in the interim of sessions of the district board of administration (510:3).

(16) Approve the date for the regular session of a local church conference (630:1), to preside over a local church conference whenever present (635); to convene, when deemed advisable, a local board of administration or a local church conference and preside over the same (633:1; 712; 722:2-3; 773); and carry out any other provisions for a local board of administration or conference as prescribed in The Discipline.

(17) Counsel with a local board of administration for the securing of a pastor (705:1-3), proactively assessing the needs of the church and providing it with specific recommendations and names of potential pastors who best fit the profile to help meet those needs. The local board of administration and the district superintendent shall approve a pastoral candidate before that person is recommended to the church for a vote. The district superintendent shall also carry out the provisions of The Discipline concerning the call, the review and termination of a call, the resignation and release of a pastor from the pastoral agreement, and other matters pertaining to pastoral relations for the pastoral charges under district care (633:2; 692:2; 705:1-3; 710; 712; 720-722; 773).

(18) Work directly with the pastors and leaders of local churches in setting goals and objectives, or appoint another district leader to do so. The district superintendent, in consultation with the district board of administration, may advise a pastor and local board of administration to consider a pastoral change if goal progress remains unsatisfactory.

(19) Approve the transfer of any ordained minister or commissioned or licensed minister from another district, in concurrence with the General Superintendent (313:6; 705:2; 3100:1) and, when objecting to such a transfer, to state any reasons if requested to do so.

(20) Recommend the removal of a pastor to the district board of administration, whenever the best interests of the church involved demand it, and to recommend to the district board of administration the appointment of a supply or interim, if necessary, until another pastor has been obtained (712; 715; 722:3; 1233:29).

(21) Perform all the functions of a pastor for a local church within the district when such church is without a pastor, or to recommend to the district board of administration the appointment of a supply pastor or interim pastor until the local church obtains a pastor (1233:29, 36; 3260:2; 3261:2).

(22) Counsel with the ministers and special workers under district care, giving special attention to the encouragement and guidance of candidates for the ministry.

(23) Be responsible, if the General Superintendent is absent, for leading the Council of Ordination (3091; 1405) in conducting the ritual of ordination (3070:6; 5750-5792), and the ritual of commissioning a minister (5800-5845), a special worker (3470; 5855), or a lay missionary (3490; 5855); to sign, with the district secretary, such certificates, licenses, or other official forms as are required of this office and issued to such persons as are authorized by the district conference; to have charge of services for the installation of pastors (5905).

(24) Provide or promote the ongoing personal and professional development of all ministerial personnel.