Grievance Procedures
a) When a diaconal minister's relationship to the Annual Conference and his/her standing as a diaconal minister is called into question for causes related to ¶2621, there shall be a Committee on Review made up of three (3) members of the conference Board of Diaconal Ministry who will be in consultation with the diaconal minister's district superintendent; pastor; a representative of the employing agency; and when he/she is employed by a local church, a representative of the Staff/Parish Relations committee of that church. When reviewed, the diaconal minister may choose someone to be present for personal support, if desired.
b) The Committee on Review shall receive from the chair of the conference Board of Diaconal Ministry all complaints and seek resolution of them. If resolution is not achieved, it shall refer the complaint, in writing, with any recommendations to the conference Board of Diaconal Ministry.
c) When a complaint has been received from the Committee on Review, the conference Board of Diaconal Ministry shall develop a response based on the needs of the church and the diaconal minister. The conference Board of Diaconal Ministry shall recommend to the Annual Conference: 1) the dismissal of charges; 2) involuntary termination; 3) remedial action, choosing from the following:
i) Program of continuing education
ii) Personal leave (¶ 313.1d)
iii) Early retirement (¶ 313.2b)
iv) Study leave (¶ 313.1c)
v) Personal counseling or therapy
vi) Program of career evaluation
vii) Voluntary termination by surrender of credentials (¶ 313.3b)
viii) Peer support and supervision
ix) Private reprimand: a letter signed by the chair of the conference Board of Diaconal Ministry, the diaconal minister's district superintendent, addressed to the diaconal minister, with a file copy in the permanent file of the conference Board of Diaconal Ministry stating the appropriateness of the complaint, the specific remedial action recommended, and the conditions under which the letter shall be withdrawn from the file and destroyed.
In rare instances, following its review process, the conference Board of Diaconal Ministry may refer the complaint as charges to the Committee on Investigation for possible trial (¶ 2623). The conference Board of Diaconal Ministry shall notify the diaconal minister, the bishop, and the district superintendent of any recommendation to prefer charges and the notice to the diaconal minister shall inform him/her of the right to elect trial or surrender the diaconal credentials. If a diaconal minister chooses trial, the procedures are provided for in ¶ 2623.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21154-MN-313.4-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference