The following document and process is the result of much hard work, prayer, and discussion within the Board of Ordained Ministry during the last couple of years.  In consultation with the Bishop, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and the Board of Discipleship, the Board of Ordained Ministry has voted to make this process mandatory for those Clergy who are considering the creation of a new extension ministry.

Rationale

The BOM has continued to struggle with defining what extension ministry is.  In our deliberations and conversations surrounding the issue at our March, 2008, meeting, our concerns became centered on the specific instances when Elders take leave of absence and then find employment outside the church.  Specifically our questions seemed to focus around the sense of call.

The wording in the BOD denotes a desire to create extension ministries around this sense of call. 

-          Para 343.2* says that “whenever feasible” the hiring agency should consult with the ordained minister’s Bishop before hiring.

-          Para 343.3* says that those desiring an extension ministry need to consult with the Bishop and/or DS prior to any interviews “relative to such an appointment.”

In ongoing discussion, we came to realize it’s not always practical to expect the employer to be the point of first contact for few secular employers would even think about developing an extension ministry without first being faced with an ordained Elder who has the idea.  At the same time, we also recognized that the BOM has a responsibility to help both the Elder and the hiring agency in discerning whether the employment in question is a true extension of the mission and ministry of an ordained clergy.

With that in mind, a subcommittee worked to develop questionnaires for both the employer and the Elder to submit to the BOM, along with a stated process so all parties will know what is expected.  The following are the results of our efforts, and the document was approved unanimously by the BOM at our June, 2008 meeting, to be put in place immediately.

We welcome any questions, comments, or suggestions for improvement as we begin to work with this instrument.

Respectfully,

Extension Ministry Requirements

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Letter to Pastor

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Letter to Employer

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