Rev. Meg Lassiat Executive Director of Candidacy and Conference Relations

Conference Relations Committee Each annual conference Board of Ordained Ministry shall establish a Conference Relations Committee of at least three persons to hear requests for discontinuance of provisional members, involuntary leave of absence, administrative location, involuntary retirement, or other such matters as may be referred to them by the Board of Ordained Ministry. District Superintendents shall not serve on the Conference Relations Committee. (¶ 363, ¶ 635)

CRC Structure  Sub-Committee of BOM – Reports to BOM  Membership  At least three members  District Superintendents shall not serve  Include a racial/ethnic and gender mix  Recommend chair serve on BOM Executive Committee

Responsibilities  Hears requests for involuntary status changes  Administrative Location  Discontinuance of Provisional Membership  Involuntary Leave of Absence  Involuntary Retirement  Medical Leave (when involuntary)  Other referrals from the BOM

Role of Chair  Organize work of CRC  Receive requests for involuntary status change  Manage Administrative Fair Process Hearings  Work in partnership with BOM Chair  Report to the Clergy Executive Session any recommendations for status changes

Types of Status Changes  Voluntary – Clergy Initiates  Involuntary – Bishop or BOM Initiates  Mixed – Sometimes clergy initiates, sometimes the bishop or BOM initiates

Voluntary Status Change 350.3Formational and Spiritual Growth 351 Sabbatical Leave 353.2a)Voluntary Leave of Absence – Personal 353.2b)Voluntary Leave of Absence – Family 353.2c)Voluntary Leave of Absence – Transitional 355Maternity or Paternity Leave 357.2Voluntary Retirement (Early) 358 Honorable Location 360.1W/draw to Unite with Another Denomination 360.2W/draw from the Ordained Ministerial Office

Involuntary Change Status Changes 354 Involuntary Leave of Absence 357.3Involuntary Retirement 359 Administrative Location 360.3Withdrawal Under Complaints or Charges Not Status Change 362.1dSuspension

Mixed – Voluntary or Involuntary 320.1Local Pastor Discontinuance 327.6Discontinuance from Provisional Membership 356Medical Leave 357.1Mandatory Retirement

Permanent or Temporary Permanent  Voluntary  Early Retirement  Honorable Location  Withdrawal  Mixed  Discontinuance from Provisional Membership  Medical  Mandatory Retirement  Involuntary Involuntary Retirement Administrative Location Withdrawal Under Complaint Temporary  Voluntary  Continuing Ed (1 wk – 1 mo)  Sabbatical (1 yr)  Leave of Absence (5 yrs)  Transitional Leave (12 mos)  Maternity/Paternity (3 mos)  Involuntary  Involuntary Leave (3 yrs)  Suspension (90 days)

Other Considerations  Timeline for requesting change  Required approval  Method for returning

When to Use Disposition of Any Involuntary Status Change Guiding Paragraphs – ¶ 363 and ¶ 361  Administrative Location (¶ 359)  Involuntary Leave of Absence (¶ 354)  Involuntary Medical Leave (¶ 356)  Involuntary Retirement (¶ 357.3)  Provisional Member Discontinuance (upon appeal) (¶ 327.6)

Summary of Process 1.BOM receives a request 2.Request is referred to the CRC 3.CRC holds Fair Process Hearing 4.CRC makes recommendation to BOM 5.BOM affirms or dismisses the CRC recommendation 6.Administrative Review Committee reviews process and reports to the Clergy Session (¶ 636) 7.Clergy Session makes final decision

Administrative Fair Process Checklist  Checklist for the BOM to use anytime there is an Administrative Fair Process requested  Approved by GBHEM and GCFA  Does not promote one side or the other  Helps conferences follow a consistent process for all clergy and follow Discipline requirements

Three Changes  Less than Full-Time Appointment  Transfers  Transitional Leave

Less than Full-Time Appointment ¶ Categories  Limited Itineracy  Self-Initiated  Bishop-Initiated

Transfers ¶ 347 – BOM Approval Required  ¶ – Recommendation by BOM Executive Committee. Requires Clergy Session approval prior to transfer.  Transfers are no longer bishop to bishop.  ¶ – Moved recognition of orders here to clarify that recognition of orders occurs after the minister is approved for full membership.

Transitional Leave ¶  Continues – Deacons between appointments  NEW – Elders between local church and extension ministry  NEW – Limited to one 12-month period

Tricks of the Trade….  2016 Book of Discipline  Conference Relations Paragraphs (¶¶ )  Footnotes and Errata Sheets  Judicial Council Rulings  Dockets and rulings posted online  BOM Library –  BOM Handbook – Chapter 26  Candidacy and Conference Relations Forms  Administrative Fair Process Checklist  GCFA – Administrative and Judicial Procedures Handbook –

Case Study #1 DeAnne met with the South District DS in order to begin the candidacy process. During their conversation, the DS learned that she had been a provisional member of another conference but had discontinued membership in Since her membership was so long ago, DeAnne and the DS would like to simply start the candidacy process over as a new candidate. How do you advise them to proceed? A.Begin the process again B.Begin the process again, but get the file from the old conference C.Get permission from the old conference for Paula to move forward

Case Study #2 Frank is an elder facing Involuntary Leave of Absence while civil authorities investigate him for stealing money from the church. You have given Frank the 20-day notice for the upcoming hearing. A week before the hearing, the DS calls you and wants to add another piece of information to the list of reasons for Involuntary Leave. How do you respond?

Case Study #3 Two weeks ago, the DS received a letter of complaint against Barbara. After an initial conversation both the DS and Barbara have agreed that Barbara should take a break from the appointive process in order to pursue counseling and attend to some family needs. Rather than hold a Fair Process Hearing, Barbara decides to request a Voluntary Leave of Absence so she can address the issues the complaint raised. What should the CRC be concerned about when they hear Barbara’s request for a Voluntary Leave?

Case Study #4 Don (an elder) is continuing in his appointment from last year. A week after the new appointment year begins, his church requests his immediate removal. No complaints are filed, but the church insists he is incompetent and must be removed immediately. Don is offered another appointment but disagrees and refuses to move to the other side of the conference. No other appointments are available. The bishop appoints him to transitional leave. At the clergy session Don requests a judicial ruling on the legality of his status. The Judicial Council rules that he is due back pay from the beginning of transitional leave and must receive an appointment. What issues does this situation raise? What could’ve protected the conference from being required to pay Don for the time he wasn’t appointed?

Rev. Meg Lassiat Executive Director of Candidacy and Conference Relations