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THE SETTING
Establish
an informal atmosphere. This is to be a time for sharing and beginning the
process of building relationships. The meeting should be held in a room at
the church, with only the members of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee
present to meet and talk with the tentatively appointed pastor (and
spouse, if possible). If the room can be arranged with chairs in a circle,
this would be most beneficial. The District Superintendent is in charge of
the meeting, and will guide the conversation. Attempt to keep this meeting
to approximately one hour, with time for visiting and individual
conversations before and after the meeting.
THE AGENDA
Begin
with a brief period of devotion and prayer, emphasizing why we are here,
and the period of transition in which all are involved.
Introductions:
·
The
Superintendent will introduce the proposed pastor (and spouse, if
possible).
·
The
Superintendent will invite each PPRC member to introduce themselves, and
tell something unique about himself/herself.
·
Ask the new
pastor’s spouse (if possible) to share about their family, and something
about himself/herself.
·
Ask the new
pastor to share briefly her/his “story” – their journey of faith
which has brought them to this place.
About
this church and/or charge:
·
Ask members of
the PPRC to share some positive aspects about their church and/or charge.
·
Ask members of
the PPRC to talk about their hopes and dreams for this particular church
and/or charge.
·
Ask members of
the PPRC to tell about some of the specific needs of the church and/or
charge.
Response
of the new pastor:
·
Invite the new
pastor to briefly respond to the hopes and dreams that he/she has heard.
·
Invite the new
pastor to share something about her/his strengths for ministry, and how
those might be utilized in this appointment.
ORDER
OF COVENANT AND PRAYER
District
Superintendent:
Dear Friends, we welcome the
Reverend _______, who is to be appointed to serve as pastor of _______
United Methodist Church. We
believe that {Pastor's name} is well qualified and has been prayerfully
and wisely assigned to this place of service and ministry.
Chair
of the Committee:
{Pastor},
you have committed yourself to live among us as a bearer of the Word of
God; a minister of the sacraments; and a sustainer of the order and
discipline of the people of God who are part of The United Methodist
Church.
Clergy:
I
now reaffirm this commitment in the presence of this committee.
District
Superintendent:
Sisters
and brothers in Christ, as a people committed to participate in the
ministries of the church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and
your service, will you who celebrate this new beginning support and uphold
{Pastor's name}
in these ministries?
Committee
members:
We
have committed ourselves to Christ, and to serve Him through The United
Methodist Church. We here reaffirm these promises and commitments.
Chair
of the Committee:
Eternal
God, strengthen and sustain us in our mission and ministry, together with
{Pastor's name} as our new pastor. Give to {name} and to us patience,
courage, and wisdom to care for one another and to challenge one another,
so that collectively we may follow Jesus Christ, living together in love,
and offering our gifts and talents in your service, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
All
persons in attendance:
Lord
God, bless the ministries of your church. We thank you for the variety of
gifts you have bestowed upon us. Draw us together in one spirit, that each
of us may use our different gifts as members of one body. May your Word be
proclaimed with faithfulness, and may we be doers of your Word and now
hearers only. As we scatter into the world, may we be one in service to
others, in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Clergy:
May
the peace of God and the love of Christ be with us now and always. Amen.
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