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Staff-Parish-Relations​

 

Leader: Jill Ide

 

Pastor Parish Relations Committee: Overview

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is the administrative unit in a local church where staff and congregational interests are integrated to focus on the mission of the church.

The "Pastor-Parish Relations Committee (PPRC)" is truly a Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) because the committee relates to all staff, both bishop-appointed staff and employed staff....The S/PPRC has some of the same functions of a personnel office or Human Resources department in other organizations.

The S/PPRC has primary responsibility to work with staff so that the mission of the church is realized. The S/PPRC should have a clear understanding of your local church's mission and vision, built upon the mission of the wider Church. Clear understanding of your church and prayerful listening to God's direction will guide both the development of job descriptions and the assessment of staff.

The S/PPRC works with individuals and groups, including:

  • the lead pastor

  • all ordained leaders-both elders and deacons-appointed by the bishop

  • the lay staff, full time and part time

  • the congregation (individually and corporately)

  • candidates for licensed and ordained ministry

  • the community outside the walls of your building

  • the district superintendent

  • the United Methodist conference and general church staff.

Remember that The United Methodist Church has an appointive system rather than a call system for clergy leadership. The S/PPRC consults with the district superintendent about congregational needs. The S/PPRC members must spend time in prayer and Bible study in order to interpret the movement of God's Spirit in this consultation process among the district superintendent, staff, and congregation.

-From Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation 2009-2012: Pastor-Parish Relations, pp. 6-7. Copyright © 2008 by Cokesbury. Used by permission.

 

Primary Tasks of the Committee

Specific tasks for the S/PPRC include:

  • explaining the nature and function of ministry to the staff and the congregation

  • conferring with the congregation and the staff/pastor about ministry direction

  • assessing the ministry of the congregation and the staff/pastor at least annually

  • conferring and consulting with the district superintendent

  • supporting lifelong learning for all staff (continuing education)

  • identifying and supporting individuals from the congregation whom God seems to be calling for ordained ministry

  • making recommendations regarding compensation, travel, benefits and housing to the church council

  • recommending needed staff positions and developing written job descriptions and titles for associate pastors and staff


-Adapted from Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation 2009-2012: Pastor-Parish Relations, (Cokesbury, 2008), p 7; and Job Descriptions & Leadership Training for Local Church Leaders, 2009-2012 (Discipleship Resources, 2008).

 

Organization and Relationships

The committee has between 5 and 9 members who are representative of the congregation or charge. Members include a young adult and may also include a youth. The lay leader and a lay member of the annual conference area also required to be members of this committee. In cases where a charge includes multiple churches, the committee should have at least one representative and the lay leader from each of the local churches.

The committee must not include an immediate family member of the pastor or staff or more than one person from the same household.

The committee membership should be divided into three groups or classes that rotate. With the exception of the lay member of the annual conference and the lay leader, members are elected to three-year terms. Retiring members of the committee can succeed themselves for one additional term.

-Adapted from The Book of Discipline 2008 Copyright © 2008 by The United Methodist Publishing House.

 

We are saying good-by

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Hello friends, it is my hope and prayer that this closing note finds you all well,

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I am sure most of you are aware that Fowler had its last worship service Sunday (04/12/2026). I am very thankful to all of you who were present and of course those of you who could not attend in person but were able to join us on FB. The service is still available for you to watch in case you missed it.

We had a wonderful time looking back through a video I put together and sharing memories of special moments we had in this Holy Space. We sang and laughed and there were a few tears, such a special moment we got to share with each other. After worship we sat and enjoyed lunch together.

Many of you were present for worship at Audubon United Methodist church on April the19thand it is my hope and my prayer that all of you will find a place of worship you can call home.

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Isaiah tells us in 43:19 Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

Isaiah shares with us a powerful message of divine renewal and transformation, declaring to believers that God has been and always will be actively working to bring about change, regardless of past difficulties or current obstacles.

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I believe this rings true for us at this very moment in time. I know how difficult it feels to leave behind a space that over the years has changed so many lives in so many different ways. But rest assured that those lives are still actively living out God’s plan out there, outside of Fowler’s doors making disciples to the end of the earth. And isn’t that what Jesus told us to do in Matthew 28:20 as he promised we would never be without him (And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Amen).

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Thank you for all you have done for me over these past 7 years. There is no doubt they were filled with highs and lows, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. If you ever need to find me…please know that Daniel Miranda and I will be co-pastors serving at Manito UMC up on the South hill beginning on July the first.

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So, for the last time from Fowler UMC, peace

Pastor Rene​

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