NACEC Reviewing the Basics

Presenters:Rev. David MooreDeaconess Rosie

Guadarrama

The 1948 General Conference approved the minimum salary program, and each annual conference was given the responsibility to adopt a schedule of minimum support for its pastors, including fulltime and accepted supply pastors.

A bit of History trivia……we’ve come a long way Baby!

One conference in their 1949 journal set the minimum annual salary of the pastors at $1,600 for married men and $1,400 for single men.

Progress in action!

The going rate in ‘49

We are in it together

GBGM

GCFA

NACEC

CEC

Each AC will have a Commission on Equitable Compensation (CEC) or similar structure to provide and maintain the connectional relationships. Equal number of Lay and Clergy Including at least one lay and one clergy from

churches fewer than 200 members (nominated by the conference and elected by the AC)

Inclusivity 1 DS

Book of Discipline 625

Support F/T clergy serving as Pastors within the AC

Recommend standards for Pastoral Support

Provide counsel and materials to all who ask

Submit an arrearage policy for adoption

Study the needs for additional support and make annual recommendations to the AC for actions on minimum base compensation

Purpose CEC

CEC MembershipResponsibilities

Read and research applications

Be Fair

Give input on rules or application changes

Participate in meetings, conference calls and email responses

Administer funds

Rewards

Ensure minimum salary for clergy

Feeling of doing something worthwhile

Being a good Steward

In many conferences expenses paid

The answer can be summarized with a single word—wisdom. We are to be wise with our money. We are to save money, but not hoard it. We are to spend money, but with discretion and control. We are to give back to the Lord, joyfully and sacrificially. We are to use our money to help others, but with discernment and the guidance of God’s Spirit.

http://www.gotquestions.org/managing-finances.html

A good steward

Bring everyone on board. It is your responsibility to educate the cabinet, SPRC, Ad Council, Treasurer and Church members.

Educate, educate, educate

The CEC is responsible to the conference to be a good steward of the funds that are granted to churches.

What does that mean for the Commission on Equitable Compensation?

The CEC is accountable to the conference.

The local church and pastor receiving equitable compensation is accountable to the CEC and the conference.

Accountability

How do you hold your CEC churches/Pastors accountable?

Reports?Church Visits?Quarterly follow-up?DS input?

Accountability depends on your rules?

The charge conference shall in consultation with the district superintendent set the compensation of the pastor and other staff appointed by the bishop.

Who sets the pastor’s salary?Book of Discipline 247.13

The Annual Conference is required to support the schedule of minimum base compensation supplements.

Annual Conference

What do you think is the most important thing?

What is the most important thing to know about Equitable Compensation?

EC is available to EVERY appointed pastor,probationary elder and deaconin full connection with the UMC

NOT ELIGIBLE: Retired Clergy Certified Lay Ministers

What is the most important thing to know about Equitable Compensation?

Each church or charge has an obligation to pay the full compensation as approved by the charge conference, to its pastor (s).

Book of Discipline 624Payment Obligation

Equitable is the minimum base compensation, as established by the Annual Conference.

Each Annual Conference is different. Fairness is different in each AC because the value changes depending upon location.

What is the minimum base in your conference? What determined the amount?

What is Equitable?

Appointed Pastors in good standing must be paid no less than the minimum base compensation as established by the Annual Conference.

If the church is unable to provide the minimum, then the Annual Conference must provide it.

Minimum Base

Cost of living Years of Service Extreme situations

Rural/undesireable areasInner cities/Dangerous areasConsideration for minorities

What determines minimum base compensation?

Appointed Pastors in good standing do not have a limit on the number of years of eligibility.

How long can we fund equitable compensation?

If the church finds they can no longer pay their pastor, they must verbally and in writing let the pastor, congregation and DS know the situation.

Start the process with your Finance Committee and or SPRC.

Make contact with your DS

Ensure completed application

Follow-up

How does one apply for minimum base compensation?

Presently BOD prohibits retired clergy from

receiving EQRequire submission to GC Does the need exist?

Do we need to change?

Who has the liability?

The local church as long as the Pastor is appointed to that charge.

Arrearages Do Happen!

In the event the AC has no arrearage policy in place, all such claims shall be subject to and controlled by, the civil laws applicable to such claims in the state in which the claim arises.

Any pastor who does not receive a full scheduled payment of the approved compensation shall immediately report such, in writing to the church or charge SPRC Chair, Church Council, Chair and DS.

Failure to report in a timely fashion may result in surrender of any/all arrearage claims, subject to the AC Arrearage Policy. 625.2

New Arrearage Language

NACEC recommends that each CEC have an arrearage

policy.A sample can be found at:http://www.gcfa.org/nacec

Do you have one?

New Arrearage Language

Interprets church law and determines constitutionality of proceedings at all levels of church life.

The Denomination’sSupreme Court

Decision No. 1156

In Re: Request from the Baltimore Washington Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Effect, and Application of ¶¶ 354 and 355 Regarding Requirement of Remedial Action for an Individual Granted Voluntary Leave of Absence

Involvement of Judicial Council and Equitable Compensation

The action of the 2010 Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference that placed a clergy member on a voluntary leave of absence.

Clergy member’s fair process rights were violated.

The Clergy member is entitled to receive equitable compensation as required for clergy members in full connection, insurance, housing, pension and other benefits according to annual conference policy and procedures

Case

The separation of authority and decision making is integral to the United Methodist Constitution and law.

Procedures that govern action with respect to matters of conference relations are carefully set forth in the Discipline and are to be followed by the Board of Ordained Ministry without interference from the bishop or the district superintendents acting individually in that role or collectively through the cabinet.

Authority

Under ¶ 363, the Board of Ordained Ministry may choose or recommend one or more options for a program of remedial action, subject to regular oversight by the board and annual review.

Remedial Action

Equitable Compensation becomes responsible for compensation in the event a clergy member has experienced their fair process rights violated.

Conference Equitable Compensation budget should include enough funds to handle emergency situations.

Interpretation

Discuss your situation with your DSComplete the applicationEnsure all required information is available and

accurateRequest all pertinent signaturesKeep DS and Bishop informed

THE PASTOR HAS THE CLAIM NOT THE CHURCH!!! What is the process in your conference?

Next steps

Are there any topics that can helpful to present at the next training?Questions for the Panel of experts?????Please feel free to submit questions via e-mail to: r.guadarrama@att.net

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