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The final decision...

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Sep 1, 2009.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    No this is not about a final decision about eternity :saint:

    Rather, the discussion is about who makes the final decision of who the church workers will be.

    In another thread, "If the pastor remains" the subject got off topic a bit to who should approve teachers.

    So, in this thread lets discuss who should make the recommendation and approval for different offices.

    Then let us know why your church does it that way. THATS WHAT OUR CONSTITUTION SAYS, is not an acceptable answer. Tell us why it was written into your constitution that way.
    Salty

    ps Church splits will not be allowed due to this thread :saint: :laugh:

    pps -I was trying to add a poll, but my computer froze up.
    Basically, the poll was going to ask which positions in your church need congregational approval
     
    #1 Salty, Sep 1, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 1, 2009
  2. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Our bylaws give the pastor permission to hire and fire staff as necessary, but gives the board approval over the staff budget. Requiring the board to approve every hiring decision would stifle te pastor's ability to handle the daily activities of the church.
     
  3. PeterM

    PeterM Member

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    I am a devout congregationalist and want the church body involved in all viable ministry decisions, so long as the pastor/ministry staff have a strong voice in the process. That said, in larger churches, ministry staff usually have to have a greater management role in the day to day decisions that need to be made that concern who serves as a church worker.

    Church staff members should be hired with the senior pastor and the church body working together. The church body however should be given the final voice in voting and extending a call. Should a staff member need to be removed from their position, the pastor should have the authority to do so, with either the church counsel (leaders), or deacons providing the necessary oversight to ensure the process is fair, amicible, Biblical, and free of unnecessary emotion.
     
  4. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    Pastor and staff are the only positions that need congregational approval. Sunday school class leaders and teachers are chosen by the pastor but we talk about with other people in the class.
     
  5. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    I agree 100% with this post. It is not healthy for all decisions to be in the hands of one or a few men. Its a matter of working together. Deacons and the congregation should be uplifting the pastor and his leadership, unless there are circumstances beyond a disagreement about an issue. The issue would have to be obviously unBiblical before I would oppose my pastor. I am totally against the elder rule form of government, or a heirarchy.
     
  6. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    paid posistions? usully a comittee will be asked to fill the posistion, and then there will be a church vote.
    why?
    I have no idea.
     
  7. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    The church saturneptune and I serve has a nominating committee appointed by the pastor. The pastor's views carry great weight, but in the final analysis the committee will do the legwork and bring its recommendations to the congregation for approval.

    Regarding paid ministry staff, I believe that the pastor should be able to surround himself with those who share his vision and philosophy. The congregation should have the final say upon recommendation from the pastor. I don't think the congregation should ever elect a staff member the pastor does not want.
     
  8. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    In the Church where I get to serve We basically find and do the groundwork for new staff members. We then present then to our personnel tern for approval. A final step, after the team's approval we presort then to our church for a vote.

    the whole staffing process is hard and Requires deliberate, strategic planning. We Absolutely want the best staff and especially those that understand our goals and culture. likewise we believe our church should be involved as the final vote in the process.
     
  9. Lux et veritas

    Lux et veritas New Member

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    Final decision is made by the elders. But the process goes like this:
    1. A need for a position is first recognized - either by existing leadership or congregation.
    2. Elders will seek out those who have shown an aptitude for the position. (No sense asking someone who is not "apt to teach" to be a teacher).
    3. They (elders) consult with congregation and get feedback.
    4. If it is a position that needs to be voted on, elders bring the names to congregation for that.
    5. If it is a position that does not need a vote, then elders will appoint and inform congregation.

    Congregation has input throughout the process. Elders are ultimately responsible for the decisions and answerable to the congregants for them.

    One last thing, there are special times of prayer throughout the process, both for the wisdom in the choice, and person who is being considered for the position.
     
  10. Timsings

    Timsings Member
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    As I said in the "Pastor Remains" thread, we have an Education Enlistment Committee to nominate teachers and other department officers for SS and missions groups. For all personnel positions except pastor we have a Personnel Committee. For pastor we select a Pastor Search Committee. All personnel decisions require a vote of the deacons followed by a vote of the congregation. All of the procedures are spelled out in our constitution and by-laws. They were set up this way in order to maximize congregational involvement and responsibility.

    Tim Reynolds
     
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