Pastor & Parish

Combining videos, workbook content, guided discussion and complementary readings, Pastor & Parish is a six-session series for United Methodist staff-parish relations committees that ties the committee's responsibilities back to their spiritual beginnings.

Please email us with inquiries about this program.

Praise for Pastor & Parish

• “I think it’s the most effective SPRC guide that’s ever come across the table.”
• “It gives the staff-parish the tools to appropriately do their work. It takes the adversarial perspective out of it. You can practice truth telling, and do it in a way that does not tear down individuals.”
• “I think that it really helped them to understand their role better. They’ve been a lot better support for me. They understand more about the demands of ministry; they also understand more that it’s not just doing HR work. Instead, they put it in a theological framework, which really changed the way they approach things.”

– United Methodist pastors, one year after their committees piloted the Pastor & Parish program

Program Format

The Pastor & Parish program features the following materials:

Video Series – Beautifully filmed segments feature theologically-framed commentary by the Rev. Ed Moore, a retired United Methodist pastor and former district superintendent. Each session also includes perspectives from United Methodist clergy and SPRC members, offering rich insights into how the ideas presented in the series take shape in the local church.  Preview the video series

Participant Workbook – Serving as a companion piece to the DVD, the workbook includes questions designed to elicit individual reflection and candid discussion. Using this resource as a guide, your committee members will explore the ways in which they can increase their effectiveness and further the work of the church.  Preview the workbook (PDF)

Facilitator Guide – This step-by-step manual prepares your SPRC Chair or another member of your congregation to lead your committee through the program, offering tips for fostering effective discussions.  Preview the guide (PDF)

Complementary Readings – Access articles, books and websites to help your group delve more deeply into the topics introduced in Pastor & Parish.  View resources »

When you complete Pastor & Parish, your SPRC will have formed important bonds, discovered new language for working with one another, and created a covenant to guide its work as a ministry of the church.

Sessions

Each weekly session is designed to last 75-90 minutes.

Session 1: Baptism
Have you ever thought about your presence on the SPRC as a ministry? This session encourages committee members to understand their work as a response to their baptism and to approach their responsibilities to the pastor and the congregation with care and respect.

Session 2: Discipleship
We will explore the nature of Christian discipleship and the ways in which SPRCs can partner with their pastor to fulfill the larger mission of the United Methodist Church: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Session 3: Sacred Bundle
Each church has its own traditions, taboos, symbols and artifacts that constitute local church culture. But unless they are named, they remain hidden to a new pastor. We’ll discuss the SPRC’s role as narrator or interpreter of your church’s unique character.

Session 4: Truthful Naming
We will explore tools that will equip your committee to deal responsibly with conflict arising in your congregation and “speak the truth in love.”

Session 5: Stewardship of the Pastor
How does your congregation care for its pastor? It’s a demanding role, filled with obligations to the congregation, the community, and the larger United Methodist connection. We’ll explore ways that the SPRC can foster a supportive environment that promotes the well-being of the pastor and his or her family, and consequently, the health of the church.

Session 6: Covenant for Ministry
In its final gathering, your committee will discuss ideas from previous sessions that you would like to see reflected in your work as a committee. You will begin the process of constructing a covenant (or amending an existing one) that reflects the journey you will have taken during this study. This document is specific to your parish setting, designed to complement other assessment tools that your committee may use.