The
pastoral relations committee supports and maintains an
open relationship between the ordained minister (and
sometimes other staff) and members of the
congregation. It helps the pastor and members of the
church share ideas, hopes, dreams and interpretations
of mission. It lets the pastor know what people in the
church are thinking. It gives a framework for dealing
with conflict creatively. (from The
Leader Box, Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Leader
Box - http://www.ucc.org/ministers/leaders-box/b12.pdf)
Friends, the relationship between a pastor and a
congregation is a mutual and covenantal
relationship. In the same way that it is a
pastor's role and responsibility to help a congregation
be the best congregation it can be for God's mission in
the world, it is also, in my view, a congregation's
responsibility to work with the pastor to help him or
her be the best pastor s/he can be for God's mission
with them! To put it right out there, based
on my 17 years of doing Conference ministry, I need to
tell you that too many churches across our UCC
nationwide have come to see a pastor as a hireling and
if the hired one doesn't satisfy, out s/he
goes. It is too often a consumer mentality,
not a covenantal one. It is too often a mentality
focused on 'serving us' instead of serving God
together! We can do better than that.
One way to 'do better than that' is to face
this truth: just as there is no 'perfect'
congregation, there is no 'perfect' pastor (including
Conference Ministers!)! God has given this
treasure to us earthen vessels---flawed, lumpy clay
pots!! (II Cor. 4:7). Lay folks and clergy,
we are just flesh and blood but we are also vessels for
God's Spirit, for God's good news in Jesus, and
instruments for God's love, justice and
peace. Every pastor has gifts and graces
along with a few outright weaknesses and many 'growing
edges'. One of our highest callings is to help
each other be keep growing as wonderful clay pots for
God-and that includes those of us who are ordained or
licensed ministers.
So my second appeal is for congregations, boards
and PPR committees to take a fresh look at how we see
our pastors and if we detect any of that 'consumerism',
be converted to seeing ourselves as co-potters with God
, helping to shape finer and finer pastoral leaders even
as they do the same for us.
Thirdly, I've been asked a couple of practical
questions I want to respond to here.
a) "Should the pastor have a say about who is a
member of the PPR committee?"
YES! The PPR will be most effective if it
is made up of individuals trusted by both the pastor
and the congregation. Often the 'start up' PPR
committee consists of several members of the Search
Committee. But as the years go by, I would encourage
that the pastor have the opportunity to collaborate
with whomever is responsible for appointing the PPR
group and that those persons are mutually agreed upon
by them. Another model would be for the pastor
to hand pick all or several of the group. It can
work well in any of these ways.
b) "Should the pastor be present at all
meetings?" YES again! (see the
Leader Box-it says 'always' meets with the pastor
present). If the above goals are valid, then the
PPR committee and the pastor are partners in seeking
them. If someone feels the need for a meeting without
the pastor then the group needs to ask 'why' and what
do we need to do to bring this concern in the open in
a constructive way?
c) " Should the PPR committee be involved
in developing the annual pastoral compensation
package?" YES! This is one time when
I strongly recommend the PPR committee become an
advocate to the governing board---advocating for
benefit improvements (like adding the new and modestly
priced Vision Plan with the UCC Pension Board),
compensation increases, continuing ed and sabbatical
opportunities (if not in call agreement or not being
utilized), etc.
Finally, I would encourage every PPR committee to
look at the code of ethics for a local church in our UCC
Manual on Ministry. The Local Church in Relation
to Its Pastor can be found online at
http://www.ucc.org/ministers/manual/mom-2001-20partners-1.pdf.
Many folks know that there is a code of ethics for
pastors but may not know about this one. It can be
a helpful reminder of all that we've said here.
Ok, there's more I could say but I'll jump off my
soapbox for now! As always, I am yours in
Christ's Service,
Jane
