Pastors General Duties and Powers

General

(1) Study the Scriptures, pray, and do the work assigned.

(2) Seek, by all means, the conversion of sinners, the sanctification of believers, and the upbuilding of God’s people in the most holy faith.

(3) Pray to God for and with the flock.

(4) Feed the flock by reading, expounding, teaching, and preaching the Word.

(5) Have the general guidance, under the Holy Spirit, of the religious services and cultivate the practice of corporate worship.

(6) Administer, if an ordained (313:1), commissioned (3059:2a), or licensed minister (3044:1), the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Each pastor is encouraged to provide for the observance of the Lord’s Supper at least once each month, but is required to do so at least once every three months (293). A supply pastor shall secure the services of an ordained (313:1), commissioned (3059:2), or licensed minister (3044:1) who is a pastor, for such observance (3260:2), except when authorization has been granted by a district superintendent as provided in 3260:2.

(7) Solemnize, if an ordained (313:1), commissioned (3059:2a), or licensed minister (3044:1), the rite of matrimony, in keeping with the Scriptures and The Discipline (265:6; 3111-3112); to counsel with those being married and those already married, emphasizing the spiritual values in all phases of marital and parental life, seeking to develop the spiritual ideals and resources necessary to build permanent unions and godly homes (410:6).

(8) Comfort the bereaved and to bury the dead.

(9) Provide pastoral guidance and oversight through visitation and counsel to the members of the church and to others in need of a pastor’s help. The minister, as counselor, has the right to protect the conversation with a counselee as privileged communication.

(10) Keep all members fully conversant with the Christian lifestyle set forth in the Guides and Helps to Holy Living and the biblical basis for the same, and to maintain with diligence and love adherence to these membership requirements (260-268).

(11) Be responsible for the instruction of all prospective members in the Articles of Religion, Guides and Helps to Holy Living, and polity of The Wesleyan Church, and in the meaning and purpose of church membership, holding or arranging for membership classes for all members (566-570; 782:8.

(12) Administer the ritual of membership and to give the right hand of fellowship on behalf of the church to new members (553:4; 5550-5595).

(13) Grant, in conjunction with the local church secretary, letters of transfer, recommendation, or withdrawal (575; 590; 592; 6000–6040).

(14) Receive any complaint or accusation against any member of a church under personal care, and to give such prompt and careful attention as required under the Judiciary (5000–5004) and the General Board Policy on Church Discipline and Ministerial Restoration, and to refer any matter requiring official investigation or judicial proceedings to the local board of administration for disposition (782:10).

(15) Preside as chair of the local church conference and the local board of administration except as otherwise provided (635; 770–773), and to oversee and direct all departments and local church organizations as the chief executive officer.