Elders & Deacons
ResourcesTraining Ministry Teams: A Manual for Elders and Deacons by Anne Stuckey
Across the FenceThis occasional newsletter shares best practices for pastoral ministry from one neighbor pastor to another, "across the fence." Click here for an introduction and back issues.
Child Safety PoliciesDove’s Nest works to empower and equip churches to keep children and youth safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and communities. See their website for information and resources for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Dove’s Nest provides resources to help churches write and implement child and youth protection policies. They have a checklist, and sample policies from other Mennonite churches on their website: http://www.dovesnest.net/policies
Mennonite Church USA Resources
Click here for Mennonite Church USA congregation/pastor packets on a range of issues and situations.
Central Plains Conference Documents
Click here for a list of useful documents.
Church-wide Statements & Resolutions
For the Pastor Search CommitteeClick here for comprehensive information for Search Committees.
For Pastor/Congregation Evaluation Committee Pastor/Congregation evaluations are a natural and essential part of effective ministry. When done well they can help the pastor and congregation be more effective in ministry. When done poorly, evaluations can create pain for the pastor, the pastor's family and the congregation. For this reason, it is important that those responsible for leading evaluations plan the process with the conference minister. Contact Time Detweiler at 319-458-0224 to start the planning process. Also check out these free, downloadable resources for doing evaluations well. Annual Leaders RetreatPlease encourage your pastor to attend Annual Leaders Retreat and make it possible for him or her to do so by encouraging the congregation to cover registration and travel costs. Pastors, chaplains and other credentialed leaders and their spouses are invited to the Annual Leaders Retreat held each spring at St. Benedict Center near Schuyler, Nebraska. Hosted by the Pastoral Leadership Committee, the retreat includes a balance of input and rest with the goal of renewing the spirit through encouragement, worship and fellowship.
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Working with PastorsSalary Guidelines for Pastors
The Pastoral Leadership Committee recommends that congregations use the Salary Guidelines formulated each year by Mennonite Church USA. Find free software here to calculate a salary based on the guidelines.
Samples of Pastor Job Descriptions
Ordination Standards
The Pastoral Leadership Committee adopted a minimum set of educational/formation standards for persons ordained in Central Plains.
Accountability for PastorsThe conference ministers meet annually with all credentialed pastors to build relationships, strengthen communication, offer encouragement and nurture accountability. This letter from Tim gives more detail.
Misconduct Policy & Procedure
The Pastoral Leadership Committee of Central Plains Mennonite Conference takes seriously any ethical misconduct on the part of credentialed leaders or any other leaders in the congregation. Mennonite Church USA has developed policies and procedures for dealing with such misconduct, to which Central Plains also subscribes. All allegations of such misconduct should be directed to one of the Conference Ministers or to the Chair of the Pastoral Leadership Committee.
Copies of the policy and procedure can be found here in English or downloaded as .pdf files in Spanish below. Normas y Procedimientos Indice NORMAS y Procedimiento texto HACIENDO JUSTICIA Guidelines when Non-Credentialed Individuals are Accused of Sexualized Violence
The Panel on Sexual Abuse Prevention for Mennonite Church USA has created guidelines for response when non-credentialed individuals are accused of sexualized violence in the context of congregations, conferences and church organizations. Find the guidelines here. |