ARTICLE 6.  MINISTERIAL STAFF

6.1       Pastor Selection

            6.1.1    Pastor Nominating Committee.  

6.1.1.1 Membership.  When the congregation is seeking a pastor or an associate pastor, a Pastor Nominating Committee, which shall have a total of nine voting members, must be elected at a duly called congregational meeting.  Of the slate presented by the Nominating Committee for election by the Congregation, at least two shall be Council members and two SPRC members selected by the respective body.  The pastor and paid staff may not be elected to the Committee. 

6.1.1.2 Meetings.  The Pastor Nominating Committee shall meet as often and frequently as needed to fulfill its responsibilities.

6.1.1.2 Investigation.  ThePastor Nominating Committee, in consultation with the ministerial relations bodies of the Presbytery of the Northwest Coast and the Alaska Conference of the United Methodist Church, shall then thoroughly investigate the personal qualifications of several candidates. The Committee must take this step before approval of the relevant judicatories of the two denominations is sought. 

6.1.2    Denominational Approval. The United Methodist Bishop and the Presbytery of the Northwest Coast must approve a candidate’s call before the name is presented to the congregation.

6.1.3    Congregational Approval.  The name of one candidate for each pastoral office must be presented at a congregational meeting duly called for the purpose of electing a pastor and/or an associate pastor. A two-thirds majority of those present is required to elect.

6.1.4    Installation and Dismissal.  Installation and dismissal of a staff pastor must involve not only the congregation but also the judicatories of the two denominations.

6.1.5    Contract.  A contract must be executed between the Church and the pastor delineating conditions of employment including job description, salary and benefits, performance, and conditions for termination. This contract must be prepared by the Pastor Nominating Committee in consultation with SPRC, and approved by the Council.

NLUC Amended Bylaws Approved 2018.12.30