The following checklists imply a process which can be used by ministerial leaders, congregations and region staff in cases which may involve involuntary separation of pastoral leaders.
A. MINISTERIAL LEADER CHECKLIST
Prepare/update ABPS profile; talk with ABPS consultant.
Consult regional staff.
Renegotiate relationships, if appropriate.
Identify transitional needs.
1. Immediate
Salary
Housing
Benefits (talk with MMBB)
Time Line
2. Next Steps
Career Counseling
Personal Counseling
Resettlement Placement
Out Placement
If negotiation is unsuccessful, secure, with the advice of the regional staff, a mediator to assist in the negotiation process. Resource options: judicatory staff from other denominations/regional teams/Ministers Council/resolution teams.
If mediation is unsuccessful, secure, with the advice of the regional staff, an arbitrator to assist the process. This needs the agreement of both parties.
Develop a written plan for leave taking. Dialogue with the regional staff and Pastoral Relations Committee. Items to include: worship, sermons, behavioral patterns following separation, exit interview with the pastoral leader and appropriate committee, board, or church.
B. CHURCH CHECKLIST
Consult regional staff.
Renegotiate relationships, if appropriate.
Identify responsibilities as an employer, resources, and needs of the church.
Negotiate separation package with the ministerial leader:
Salary
Housing
Benefits
Shared costs of career and personal counseling.
Time Lines
If negotiation is unsuccessful, secure, with the advice of the regional staff, a mediator to assist in the negotiation process. Resource options: judicatory staff from other denominations/regional teams/Ministers Council/resolution teams.
Develop a written plan for leave taking. Dialogue with the regional staff and Pastoral Relations Committee. Items to include: worship, sermons, behavioral patterns following separation, exit interview with the pastoral leader and appropriate committee, board, or church.
Address the feelings, dynamics, and behavior patterns which come out of the exit interview.
C. REGION CHECKLIST
Fact finding with the ministerial leader and other church leader.
Encourage the appropriate parties to take charge.
Assist renegotiation of the relationship, if appropriate.
Help the church understand its responsibilities as an employer and the legal ramifications, i.e., state, religious, corporate law.
Help the ministerial leader develop a realistic separation package.
If negotiation is unsuccessful, assist in identifying a mediator to help with the process.
If mediation is unsuccessful, assist in securing an arbitrator. Obtain agreement of both the ministerial leader and the local church.
Assist in the development of closure procedures. For example, worship resources, identifying behavior patterns following separation, exit interview, and farewell event.
Assist the ministerial leader in resettlement or out placement. Provide new job career counseling, personal counseling.
Assist the church in addressing its issues which have been identified through the separation interview.
Assist the church in taking its next steps by identifying interim leadership, etc.
Assure that the needs of the spouse and family (if any) are being addressed.
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