Church Pastor

The duties to which Hyattsville Mennonite Church calls its pastor (if there are multiple pastors, then throughout this document the term “pastor” applies to each pastor or to the pastoral team) include, but are not limited to:

• preaching and leading worship;
• counseling;
• Christian education and teaching;
• pastoral visitation;
• equipping members for service;
• peace and social concerns.

In response, the congregation understands its responsibility to the pastor to include the following:

• to accept the pastor as a member in the process of growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ;
• to recognize the pastor as one whose responsibility is to equip members to use their gifts for the program of the church, rather than to do all of the tasks him/herself;
• to pray regularly for the pastor, as well as for all members of the leadership team;
• to provide adequate financial support and annual leave so that the pastor’s energy can be released to accomplish the tasks listed above;
• to recognize the need for uninterrupted time for the pastor so that s/he can meet personal and family needs;
• to recognize that the pastor’s spouse and children should not be expected to give “special services” simply because they are members of the pastor’s family.

The pastor meets regularly with members of the pastorate, who assist in ensuring that the terms of the pastoral-congregational covenant are fulfilled. The pastor also meets regularly with the church council, as well as the congregational chair, to whom the pastors directly responsible. The pastor uses these meetings to receive feedback, counsel and direction for his/her day-to-day work. In addition, the pastor confers with the Overseer of the Allegheny Mennonite Conference, as a support person outside the congregation, to reflect on his/her ministry and the congregational life.

The pastoral-congregational covenant is ratified by two-thirds of the active participants of the congregation attending the congregational meeting, and the same quorum may ratify any modifications to the covenant. The covenant extends for three years and is evaluated annually by the pastorate. In addition, an ad hoc committee that includes the congregational chair and the conference overseer conducts a formal pastoral evaluation at the midpoint of the term. The pastor must allow at least 90 days’ notice before resigning, and the congregation must allow the same time, should it terminate the covenant.