Pastoral agreement
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- (3) Contract the pastoral relationship with local Wesleyan churches subject to the other provisions of this Constitution (313:6; 323:1-2).
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- (2) Call its own pastor, subject to confirmation by the district conference.
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- (1) Take charge of all the ministers and churches within its bounds, as modified by 360:3e and 365 (except those serving the General Church as the General Conference shall define who shall be amenable to the General Board, and except the district superintendent who shall be amenable to the General Board), and subject to the right of the ministers and churches to enter into pastoral engagements.
- (2) Alter the agreement entered into by any pastor and charge, or veto the action of the church and appoint another pastor on said charge when it deems this to be for the best interest of the charge or pastor involved or when the general interest of the work of the district would be better served by such change; and the said church or charge shall receive the pastor appointed by the district conference, provided that any such alteration of a previous arrangement between a pastor and church shall be separately reported and passed by vote of the district conference to be effective.
697. District Approval of Pastoral Agreement. A pastoral agreement must be reviewed and recommended by the district board of administration, and becomes final upon the approval of the district conference. Each year the district board of administration shall review those pastoral agreements before making its report to the district conference (1180:24; 1233:10). 723. Annual Review of Pastoral Support. The pastor’s cash salary and other benefits, including health insurance and employer contributions for The Wesleyan Pension Fund Inc (WPF), shall be reviewed annually by the local board of administration prior to the annual session of the local church conference, whether or not a vote is being taken on the securing or retaining of a pastor. Proper health insurance coverage should be provided by the local church for pastor and family except in cases in which they have adequate coverage through other employment of pastor and/or spouse, or in the case of pastors serving in Canada, through the national health program and district supplemental insurance programs. Full participation in The Wesleyan Pension Fund Inc by the local church on behalf of all pastors is expected in the plan of support of all pastors. The obligation, responsibility, and liability for both health insurance premiums and employer contributions to WPF belong solely to the local church. The district and General Church have no obligation, responsibility, nor liability for these matters, either expressed or implied. A report of the final action on the pastor’s support shall be sent by the local board of administration in writing to the pastor (or pastor-elect, 691:2) and the district superintendent (746). 1180