1. Policy for the Dissolution of Pastoral Ties
Responsibility Following Dissolution

2. Clerks Consultation April 11-14, 2016
Policy for the Dissolution of Pastoral Ties 2015
Susan Shaffer
Associate Secretary
Ministry and Church Vocations

3. Policy Overview approved by GA 1998 and 2015 legal counsel purpose:
direction – presbytery dissolves tie and decides # months congregation must continue to support minister financially
applies after decision to dissolve tie
sets out terms of dissolution, including transition period:
# months congregation provides transition allowance:
same stipend and allowances
“bridge” while minister searches for call or employment or fulfills presbytery requirements
follows an income continuance model

4. Foundation Theological Basis: Guiding Principles:
Church’s participation in Christ’s one ministry
Relationships of responsibility and accountability
3-way covenant
Guiding Principles:
Commitment to love and justice
Pastoral care
Presbytery knowledgeable and competent
Presbytery provides minister and congregation with appropriate information and support
Fair, orderly, caring

5. When does the policy apply?
Presbytery dissolves tie when minister has requested dissolution for reasons such as:
another call
study
family care
retire
work outside church
resign (long-term disability claim approved)
term of call or appointment completed
Presbytery dissolves tie when minister has not requested dissolution:
Category 1:
pastoral relationship (review of ministry)
Category 2:
$$$
Category 3:
term appointment(s), continuous service of 3 or more years
Category 4:
serious offence NO
YES

6. More “NO” and “YES” Contexts
Term appointment, minister has not asked to leave congregation, but less than 3 years continuous service :
Assistant Minister, term completed
Stated Supply Minister, term completed
Interim Minister, 2-year term completed
Interim Minister, term of less than maximum 2 years completed
Early termination clause used before end of term (Stated Supply or Interim Minister)
Presbytery treats as Category 1 (pastoral relationship not viable) but no review of ministry because session refuses:
session and minister say pastoral relationship not viable; presbytery dissolves tie on that grounds
session and minister say pastoral relationship not viable; presbytery accepts minister’s resignation in that context
More “NO” Contexts
More “YES” Contexts

7. Context matters! Categories are context-dependent.
What is the context in which the presbytery has decided to dissolve the pastoral tie?
Category 4 (serious offence): minimal requirements
Therefore discipline first:
All disciplinary processes must be completed before presbytery decides which category applies.

8. Who? Policy applies to: “Minister” refers to:
ministers serving in congregations (call and induction or presbytery appointment)
ministers serving as executive staff of presbyteries, synods or General Assembly agencies
“Minister” refers to:
ordained Word and Sacraments
Order of Diaconal Ministries
lay missionary appointed by presbytery

9. Matters to be addressed
providing pastoral care
seeking legal advice
setting terms of dissolution
preparing settlement agreement
informing minister of decisions of presbytery
informing session of decisions of presbytery and securing session acceptance of settlement agreement
securing acceptance of settlement agreement by minister  

10. Terms of Dissolution
dates: return church property, vacate church premises (office, manse)
unused annual vacation entitlement
proposed plans for con ed funds
transition period
schedule for repayment of housing loan
restrictions on minister’s certificate
presbytery support plans for minister

11. Transition Allowance Transition Period
congregation provides same stipend and allowances:
stipend
manse or housing allowance
travel if part of stipend
group benefits plan
pensionable service increments
possibly 50% con ed funds
new employment income may reduce transition allowance:
above 10% of transition allowance
always room for grace
1 month per year in congregation
4 – 12 months:
0-4 years: months
5-12 years: months
12+ years: months
new employment income may shorten transition period:
100% of transition allowance
congregation provides transition allowance for 2 months:
minister does not sign
new employment income replaces transition allowance before end of month 2
always room for grace
How much?
How long?

12. Resources APPENDIX A: Preventative Measures APPENDIX B: Appeals
APPENDIX C: Bibliography
 APPENDIX D: Sample Settlement Agreement

13. Questions.... Ministry and Church Vocations
Helping the church discern, prepare and support
ministerial leaders
A department of the Life and Mission Agency
Funded by Presbyterians Sharing