pulpit supply guidelines

GUIDELINES FOR PASTORAL SERVICES

DURING A PASTORAL VACANCY or ABSENCE

CENTRAL/SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SYNOD, ELCA

SUPPLY PASTOR

The congregation (usually through the chairperson or the Interim Minister) is responsible for obtaining supply pastors during a pastoral vacancy or absence. A SUPPLY PASTOR is described as one who conducts a worship service in a congregation during a pastoral vacancy or absence. Ministers for this purpose may be found on the Pulpit Supply List and the Licensed Lay Ministers List or a neighboring pastor may be contacted.

The Committee for Professional and Lay Ministry of the synod has developed reimbursement guidelines for the services of a supply pastor as follows:

$150 per Sunday/Weekday (add $50 for each additional service regardless of location), plus mileage at the IRS rate. In cases where food and lodging become necessary, the congregation is also responsible for those expenses. In cases where the congregation having a pastoral vacancy or absence has worship services on Sunday and an additional day of the week (such as Saturday or Thursday) and the supply pastor need only prepare one sermon for both the Sunday and weekday service, reimbursement should be $150 for the first service and $50 for each additional service regardless of location, plus mileage.

Example 1: A supply pastor conducts worship on Sunday morning at both churches of a two-point parish. The supply pastor should be given reimbursement of $200 plus mileage (food and lodging if necessary).

Example 2: A supply pastor conducts worship for a congregation having a Saturday service and two services on Sunday, using the same sermon at all three services. The supply pastor should be given reimbursement of $250 plus mileage (food and lodging if necessary).

Special circumstances such as a Midweek Lenten/Advent Service where the Supply pastor prepares an additional sermon to the one for Sunday, should be reimbursed at $150 plus mileage for the additional service.

Example 3: A supply pastor conducts worship for a congregation having a Sunday service and a Wednesday Lenten Service preparing two different sermons, should be reimbursed $300 plus mileage.

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GUIDELINES

FOR

INTERIM MINISTRY SERVICES

DURING A PASTORAL VACANCY

CENTRAL/SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SYNOD, ELCA

INTERIM MINISTER
The INTERIM MINISTER is appointed by the Bishop (C.9.06 and C.9.07), after a pastoral vacancy occurs, with the consent of the Church Council. Responsibilities of the INTERIM MINISTER are:

►Meets with the Church Council;

►Assures that ministerial acts such as weddings, funerals, and baptisms are completed and recorded in the parish register;

►Assures that hospital visits are made;
►Assures that confirmation classes are being taught; and

►To attend other business matters as mutually agreed upon by the INTERIM MINISTER Pastor and Church Council.

The Committee for Professional and Lay Ministry Committee of the synod has developed reimbursement guidelines for an Interim Minister as follows: A minimum of $200 per month, plus expenses (telephone, material costs, etc). Expenses also include mileage at the IRS rate. In some cases, especially in large congregations, the Interim Minister may wish to involve other neighboring ministers and negotiate those costs with the Church Council. While it is a general practice for the Interim and Supply Pastor(s) to meet the ministry needs of a congregation, circumstance may require additional assistance or more of the Interim Minister's time in the areas of Bible study classes, confirmation instructions, and visitations. In some cases the laity serves in these capacities; however, should a congregation choose to see these needs met by the Interim Minister, other ordained persons, Diaconal Minister, an Associate in Ministry, or Licensed Lay Minister the following suggestions are seen as fair remuneration.

Confirmation Instruction $50 per week per class

This is for two classes and preparation. Add $25

for each additional parish if the material is duplicated.

Bible Study Classes $50 per week per class and preparation

Visitation/ /Private Communion $25 per hour.

Both should include travel time involved and be

compensated in whole hours.

Counseling $50 per hour

Should include travel time involved and be

compensated in whole hours.

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