”Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

Purpose

The Pastoral Relations Team facilitates effective communication between the Minister(s) and the Congregation.  The Team shall attempt to process all issues, questions, concerns, suggestions and ideas in the light of Christ so that, together, new understandings and compassion can be reached.

Membership & Structure

1. The Pastoral Relations Team shall begin and close every meeting with prayer, devotion and study as determined by the Team at the onset of each new year.
2. The Team shall consist of four (4) members, plus one representative from the Staffing Leadership Team and the Ministers.  The Team shall reflect the divergent views, different worship services, and varied attributes/demographics of the congregation.  Past Moderators may be invited to assist the Team.  Leadership from Purpose and Resource Teams may be invited to assist the Team.  Such invited guests will have input, but no voting privileges.
3. The Team shall develop a plan of shared leadership that shall function for the Team as leader.  Should a need for a single leader arise, a Facilitator will be selected from within the Team.  The model for the Team is a discussion group, not a task force.
4. The Team shall meet bi-monthly, but not less than six (6) times a year.  Times and location to be determined.
5. The Team shall reach decisions by consensus.  Ideally, this Team shall not encourage voting procedures that serve to polarize, as the purpose of the group is to develop consensus and understanding.  A voting method shall occur if the Team determines the need for a vote.   The Team quorum will be fifty percent (50%) of the membership of the total Team.
6. The Team shall report directly to the Staffing Leadership Team, and does not have an annual budget.

Responsibilities & Duties

1. Seeks Christian compassion and confidentiality regarding conversations and discussions.  Because of this responsibility, the Team is under no obligation to share findings, proceedings and results of discussions with Purpose and Resource Teams.  The Team is accountable only to the active members.  No sidebar discussions regarding topics of concern can be held outside the confines of the members’ knowledge.  Fact-finding conversations can be conducted only with the approval of the entire Team and the knowledge of the individual involved.  Evaluate how to remain transparent but honorable in all proceedings.
2. Has a working knowledge of the policies and procedures of the church.
3. Has the right to access data from the Staffing Leadership Team, Search Team, Financial Secretary, and Association-denominational resources if such data will assist in the peaceful and unifying processes of the Team.
4. Makes the congregation aware of the Team’s purpose and function on a semi-annual basis.  The Team shall provide a brief written summary of their activity for the Annual Report.
5. Is receptive to all requests for an issue to be presented to the group, regardless of the source or topic.
6. Acts as listening posts within the congregation and bring issues or concerns to the Team for discussion.
7. Ignores all issues that are submitted anonymously, but if known, the Team will maintain the confidentiality of those who raise the issue.
8. Accepts issues from congregational members in three formats: talk to a member of the Team, provide a written statement of the concern and submit it to the Team, arranges to present their concern in person to the Team.  Ample time, no less than 90 days, shall be provided for full discussion of all issues raised.
9. Should an issue arise that is sensitive, the Ministers will be excused from that portion of the meeting.
10. Promptly communicates the actions and thoughts of the Team to the congregational member on the issue raised by the member.
11. Summarizes discussions and findings regarding job performance, and if need be, submits them to the Staffing Leadership Team to be filed in personnel folders as needed.  The Ministers shall receive a copy of such summaries, and shall have the right to present a written rebuttal to the content.  Such rebuttal must be timely, being filed within 90 days, and will be filed with the issue statement in the personnel folder.
12. The Team shall have no responsibility or right to conduct, record and file annual work evaluation performances or review job performance reports/statements of the ordained ministers.  Such a task is assigned to the Staffing Leadership Team.
13. Adheres to, obeys and responds to all local, state, and federal laws in the decisions and findings of the group.