MANITOWOC CLUSTER SABBATICAL COVENANT
Revision: 2/11/03
Introduction: As congregations of the Manitowoc Cluster
of the Green Bay Conference, East Central Synod of Wisconsin, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, we endorse our synod's policy' of offering
sabbatical leave for our pastors. Through ministry effectiveness
and longevity, the church benefits when its pastors are allowed sabbatical
time for professional and personal renewal. In order to make possible
such times of leave, we enter together into the following partnership
and covenant:
1.
When our pastor is taking sabbatical leave, our congregation will:
a)
Appoint an interim person
(internal to our congregation) to coordinate coverage of congregational
needs during the sabbatical. This person will serve as contact
for all areas of request to cluster congregations and clergy.
b)
For the sake of better
planning, notify our sister cluster congregations of the intent for
sabbatical 4 to 6 months in advance of the actual leave.
c)
Train laity to cover specific
tasks as needed, including preaching, worship leadership, confirmation
ministry, hospital and homebound visitation, and wedding coordination.
The congregation may apply to the Bishop to have a lay leader preside
at sacraments in absence of an available pastor.
d)
Make uses of free pulpit
supply resources from beyond our cluster (the Bishop and/or his/her
Associate, LSS representative, campus pastor, church camp director,
and other para-church supply).
e)
Request from our cluster
ordained coverage as necessary for preaching, administering the sacraments
in public worship, crisis pastoral care situations, funerals and weddings.
f)
In the event of a wedding
provide a wedding coordinator to oversee any wedding rehearsals and
service details. (Note: Our pastor before his/her sabbatical
leave will complete premarital education.)
g)
Understand the limitations
of cluster clergy schedules and make necessary adjustments within our
congregational life (e.g., possibly move our worship schedule to accommodate
a pastor's officiating at the sacraments).
h)
Accept with thanksgiving
the ministry support (without compensation) of our sister cluster congregations
and pastors.
i)
Compensate any non-cluster
pastor that we have invited to lead worship, etc., as recommended in
synod guidelines.*
j)
Allow and encourage our
pastor on his/her return to share his/her sabbatical experience and
gains with sister cluster congregations.
a)
Offer the assistance of
our laity training resources during preparation for the sabbatical time
(e.g., homebound communion visitors training).
b)
Free our pastor(s) to
lead worship, preach, administer the sacraments, and officiate at weddings
in our sister congregation.
c)
Provide a schedule of
pastors to be on call for emergencies, crisis pastoral care situations,
and funerals.
d)
Appoint the cluster pastors,
in conversation with the interim coordinator (see 1a above), to coordinate
their availability and schedule for the above ministry needs.