3. Interim appointments may be made: to charges that have special transitional needs (such as death of an incumbent pastor, the end of a long-term pastorate or parish conflict requiring a healing time) or to charges whose pastor is on sabbatical leave.
a) Ordained ministers and local pastors may be certified and appointed as interim pastors under ¶443.1a). While appointed to this category, the ordained minister or local pastor will be available for interim assignments of varying lengths, and will receive compensation from the charges served, reflecting the guidelines of ¶722 as implemented by the conference in which the appointment occurs. Interim pastors may serve outside the annual conference where membership is held under the provisions of ¶426.1, with approval and consent of the bishops involved.
b) A national registry of certified interim pastors will be developed and maintained by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
c) Interim assignments shall be for a specified length of time, established in advance following consultation and consent of the district superintendent, the pastor-parish relations committee and the interim pastor.
d) Contributions for the Ministerial Pension Plan will be based on the policy for active participants in the annual conference in which the appointment occurs.
e) The annual conference where the interim pastor holds membership is responsible to provide group health insurance and Comprehensive Protection Plan coverage.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 20115-MN-437.3-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference