The purpose of the pastoral selection process is to give the local church an avenue whereby they can express their desire for pastoral leadership in the local church for the ensuing year.

Exactly how this process is carried out is spelled out on page 9 of our current “book of discipline”. But for convenience sake and for those of you who do not possess a book of discipline (also located on our conference website) let’s go over it now:

PASTORAL SELECTION PROCESS

1. During the month of August, the Official Board of the local church shall appoint a “Pastoral Selection Committee” consisting of three (3) church members – one member chosen from the Official Board who shall serve as the Chairperson and two members at large who are considered in good standing within said church. The express purpose of this committee is to pass out blank ballots as supplied by the Conference Secretary.  The Chairman of the Pastoral Selection Committee should contact the Conference Secretary and advise if their local church desires ballots for either a full-time or part-time pastor. On the second Sunday in September, members and probationers are each to receive one (1) ballot and must be present unless because of mitigating circumstances they can’t be present, in such cases ballots may be obtained from the committee no later than the third Sunday in September. Each member and probationer is to mark their choice for Pastor. Ballots are to be tabulated by the Pastoral Selection Committee. If a Clergyman receives seventy percent (70 %) or more of the total votes cast no further voting is necessary The name of this person shall be forwarded to the Delegate to be presented to the Cabinet at Annual Conference as called for by the Presiding Bishop. If no one receives 70% of the votes cast the two top vote getters names will be given to the Conference Secretary.    

The elected Delegate will contact the Conference Secretary and provide them the two names of the clergy receiving the most votes. The Conference Secretary will provide the Delegate with Ballots containing the two names. The Delegate will then distribute these ballots to all Full and Probationary members on the second Sunday in October. Each member must be present unless mitigating circumstances prevent them from being there. In such cases, a ballot may be obtained from the Delegate no later than the third Sunday in October. Ballots will be tabulated by the Delegate and results presented to the Cabinet at Annual Conference as called for by the Presiding Bishop.

The results of tabulated ballots, both by the Pastoral Selection Committee and the elected Delegate shall be kept for thirty (30) days after Annual Conference has convened. If no questions arise, ballots may be properly disposed of. No clergy shall be involved in the election process. If a problem arises, the elected Delegate should contact the Conference Superintendent or the Presiding Bishop. If these guidelines are NOT followed, the Presiding Bishop has the authority to invalidate the process.

No ballot is allowed to leave the Church premises unless taken by the Chairman of the Pastoral Selection Committee or Delegate. This ballot is to be delivered to a member with mitigating circumstances only as determined by the Chairman or the Delegate.

Did you get all of that I didn’t think so let me simplify it for us in seven easy steps:

Step 1: In August the official board of each local church appoints a pastoral selection committee of one board member and two laity

Step 2: The church then decides if they desire a full or part-time appointment.

Step 3: The pastoral selection committee chairperson then contacts the conference secretary to receive the appropriate ballot.

Remember time is important since the next step is a preset date.

Step 4: On the second Sunday in September all full and probationary members are to cast their vote.

Step 5: If a clergyman receives at least 70% of the votes cast this name is forwarded to the lay delegate to be presented to the cabinet at the annual conference and the process is complete.

Step 6: However if no one receives 70% of the votes cast the two receiving the most votes names shall be submitted to the conference secretary and new ballots received by the lay delegate.

Step 7: New ballots will be cast on the second Sunday in October the votes tabulated and given by the lay delegate at the annual session as called for by the presiding bishop and cabinet.

• It is only a recommendation:

It needs to be clearly stated and understood by all that this process only leads to a recommendation that is taken under consideration by the presiding bishop and cabinet

• Clergy members are not to be involved in the process whatsoever.

Clergy members are not to be involved in the process in any way. Any questions that arise during the process should be referred to the pastoral selection committee, the lay delegate, the presiding bishop, or the conference secretary.