257. Responsibilities--As the executive agency of the charge conference, the administrative board shall have general oversight of the administration and program of the local Church (254). The pastor in charge or co-pastors shall be the administrative officer(s). The administrative board shall initiate planning, establish objectives, adopt goals, authorize action, determine policy, receive reports, evaluate the Church's ministries, and review the mission and ministry of the Church.
1. The administrative board shall be responsible for administering the organization of the local Church which shall include: the council on ministries (258), the committee on nominations and Personnel (270.1), the committee on pastor-parish relations (270.2),9 the committee on finance (270.4), and the board of trustees (2525). The administrative board may co-opt additional persons from time to time to assist the local Church in fulfilling its mission.
2. The administrative board shall determine the date when all elected personnel shall take office.
3. The administrative board shall:
a) Initiate planning, establish objectives, adopt goals and program plans and evaluate their effectiveness for the mission of the local Church as described in 202-204, 244. To fulfill this responsibility the board shall receive and act on recommendations from the council on ministries and other groups amenable to it. It shall submit an annual report to the charge conference.
b) Review the membership of the local Church. To fulfill this responsibility the board shall receive reports from the pastor/membership secretary on membership changes, review practices of membership enlistment, training, and care with the pastor and evangelism work area, and act on the goals and plans for membership growth recommended by the council on ministries.
c) Upon nomination by the committee on nominations and personnel or from the floor, fill vacancies occurring among the lay officers listed in 250-251.
d) Shall embrace tithing, regular worship attendance, regular church school and/or Bible study attendance.
e) Establish the budget on recommendation of the committee on finance.
f) Recommend to the charge conference the salary and other remuneration for the pastor(s) after receiving recommendations from the committee on pastor-parish relations.
g) Review the recommendation of the committee on pastor-parish relations regarding provision of adequate housing for the pastor(s); and report the same to the charge conference for approval. Housing provisions shall comply with annual conference housing policy and parsonage standards. Housing shall not be considered as part of compensation or remuneration.10
4. The administrative board shall ensure the promotion of all the benevolent causes authorized by the General, jurisdictional, central, annual, and district conferences, and encourage the support of World Service, conference, and other benevolences. The board shall coordinate all financial promotion that takes place within the local Church. It shall assure that there is an adequate promotion and interpretation of the benevolent ministries of the Church by working with such persons and units as the pastor (248.14), committee on finance (270.4), council on ministries (258), coordinator of communications (263.3), work area chairperson of missions (262.7), work area chairperson of education (262.4), and work area chairperson of stewardship (262.10). In the promotion of special days with offering (274, 275, 277) the administrative board shall assign responsibility to the local church program unit most closely related to the purpose of the offering.
5. It shall make proper and adequate provision for the financial needs of the church, including ministerial support (i.e., for the pastor or pastors, district superintendent, conference claimants, and bishops); approved items of local expense; World Service, conference, and other benevolences; other items apportioned to the Church by the proper authorities; and all obligations assumed by the local Church.
6. It shall discharge faithfully any and all duties and responsibilities committed to it by the charge conference or by law of the Church.
7. It shall develop in the members of the congregation a concern for and responsibility in the establishment of new Churches, new church schools, and other forms of ministry, and when specifically authorized by the district superintendent and the district board of church location and building (2520), it shall organize and sponsor new Churches, Church schools, and other forms of ministry needed in the community.
8. It shall foster understanding of the unity of the Church and shall initiate responsible participation in the ministries of the ecumenical community.11
9. It shall encourage understanding of and commitment to inclusiveness in the life of the Church.
9See Judicial Council Decisions 509, 550.
10See Judicial Council Decisions 510, 547, 550, 562, 568, 588.
11See Judicial Council Decision 516.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 257
1996 United Methodist General Conference