Proposed Guidelines for Discipline & Pastoral Concern

Discipline & Pastoral Concern

To go back to Ichthus index, close this window

The Leaders of Worship and Preachers' Meeting (LWP Meeting) keeps an oversight of all Local Preachers and Worship Leaders in the Circuit and addresses matters of discipline and pastoral concern relating to leaders of worship and preachers. The provision of Section 02 'Complaints and Discipline' in Standing Orders offers an established process for handling complaints and discipline with the help of the District. However, some matters of discipline and pastoral concern may be handled more appropriately within the Circuit (and by the LWP Meeting in particular).

If the Circuit LWP Meeting is small in number, it should address matters of discipline and pastoral concern directly. If it has a large membership, it should consider appointing a sub-committee to address matters of discipline and pastoral concern. In either case, when concerns are raised about:

Calling
Commitment
Conduct
Competence
Creed

Circuits are finding that there need to be clear procedures which help everyone involved. Concern in one of these areas may impact on other areas and raise concern there too. For each of these areas, the following guidelines offer procedures for Circuit LWP Meetings who are addressing matters of discipline and pastoral concern.

Calling

A call to preach should rightly be reflected upon and reviewed by any preacher. In the same way, a call to lead worship should be reflected upon and reviewed by any leader of worship. A sense of call may well be confirmed by such reflection and review, but it might be questioned seriously by the person concerned and uncertainty be voiced in conversation. A weakened sense of a call might also be evident in weakened commitment to preaching and/or leading of worship.

There is a need to appreciate that it is possible a person's call to preach or call to lead worship may not be to a lifelong ministry. With preachers, there is a widespread expectation that it will be, but God may call people who are currently preachers to other forms of ministry. Sometimes a new ministry may be enhanced by preaching, but sometimes it may not. If a person's sense of call to be a Local Preacher is fading, there may be a need to encourage, support, even challenge, but there may also be a need to accept (without suggestion of failure) that this ministry is coming to an end. If a person's sense of call to be a Worship Leader is fading, the same needs to apply.

Who might raise such a concern?

It is likely that preachers or leaders of worship whose sense of call (to preach and/or lead worship) is fading, will themselves find a way to raise this as a concern. It might occur in a 5-yearly review of a Worship Leader. It might occur in a pastoral meeting between a Local Preacher and their minister. It might be that a weakening of commitment by a Local Preacher or Worship Leader gives others an opportunity to check with them whether this is part of a weakened sense of call.

Procedure

In a case where a Local Preacher's call to preach is in question, or a Worship Leader's call to lead worship is in question, then two members, with the authority, support and prayers of the LWP Meeting, should meet with the preacher or leader of worship concerned to consider the points raised above. The choice of the two members needs sensitive handling. For example, a Local Preacher may value other preachers (rather than leaders of worship) discussing this matter. In some circumstances, it might be helpful to consider together words from the Covenant Service (MWB pp287-290).

Possible outcomes from this meeting:

No need for any action because the calling of the Local Preacher/Worship Leader is not at all in doubt.
Agreed action-points (by whom, when etc) to support and encourage the Local Preacher or Worship Leader. These action-points should be put in writing with copies for the Local Preacher/Worship Leader concerned, the Superintendent Minister and the Circuit LWP Secretary.
Recommendations for action to bring this ministry to a fitting conclusion.
Where there is a possibility of future reinstatement, Standing Order 569 needs to be noted.

Commitment

Local Preachers

Standing Order 568 describes the duties and rights of a Local Preacher. Among these are the following duties:

to be available for an appropriate number of appointments each quarter (having regard to the situation of the Local Preacher and of the Circuit)
to fulfil all appointments given on the Circuit Plan
to attend the LWP Meeting on each occasion
to continue to develop and study
to attend a class, house-group, or similar fellowship group
to attend public worship regularly and receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper (normally, worship should be in a Methodist church or LEP)
to attend the Worship Consultation, if constituted.

Each of these duties makes demands on a Local Preacher's time. The level of commitment is high and for some may be difficult to achieve with high demands on time from work and family life or difficulties of health and age. The first bullet point recognises this, but also makes the point that the situation of the local Circuit also needs to be taken into account. There is a balancing act here which needs to be handled sensitively.

A disregard for the duties of a Local Preacher (rather than a failure to fulfil absolutely all of the duties) rightly raises questions about a preacher's commitment. However, failure to attend public worship regularly could question a preacher's very membership of the Methodist Church, let alone that preacher's commitment.

Worship Leaders

The paper: What is a Worship Leader? describes the role by listing characteristics and tasks of a Worship Leader. As with Local Preachers, a disregard for these expectations of a Worship Leader rightly raises questions about the commitment of a leader of worship. Similarly, failure to attend public worship regularly could question a Worship Leader's very membership of the Methodist Church, let alone that Worship Leader's commitment.

Who might raise such a concern?

Concerns could be expressed by those who make the Circuit Plan of preaching appointments, those who arrange for Worship Leaders to be available in a church, Church Councils, church stewards and members of the LWP Meeting itself.

Procedure

In a case where the commitment of a Local Preacher or Worship Leader is in question, two members of the LWP Meeting, with the authority, support and prayers of the Meeting should define areas of concern using the points raised above. They should have an initial meeting with the preacher to explain the concerns.

Possible outcomes from this meeting:

No need for any action because the Local Preacher/Worship Leader has answered the concerns fully and future levels of commitment are not in question.
Agreed action by the Local Preacher/Worship Leader to answer the concerns raised e.g. at a future meeting or in writing.
Agreed action-points (by whom, when etc) to achieve a level of commitment that meets the Circuit's needs and that can be sustained by the Local Preacher/Worship Leader. These action-points should be put in writing with copies for the preacher concerned, the Superintendent Minister and the Circuit LWP Secretary.
Recommendation that a complaint be made under Standing Order 020 (2) as part of the Complaints and Discipline procedure.

Conduct

Standing Order 568 (1) makes it clear that `Preachers are called of God, to be worthy in character, to lead God's people in worship and to preach the gospel.' There is a similar expectation of people who are Worship Leaders. It is possible that some forms of behaviour might impair the relationship between a Local Preacher/Worship Leader and a congregation. For example, there could be insensitivities in the use of language, in attitudes to gender/people of a different ethnic background/people with a different sexual orientation/people with disabilities/people of other nationalities, cultures and faiths.

There could be times when Local Preachers and Worship Leaders face allegations, perhaps prosecution for matters that would not get high coverage in the news. However, there could also be times when preachers and worship leaders are charged with much more serious offences possibly involving the church and its members in some way.

Who might raise such a concern?

Stewards and congregation members might be the first to challenge inappropriate language and attitudes preferably directly with the Local Preacher or Worship Leader concerned. If such behaviour were to persist, then rightly it should be referred as a matter of concern to the Superintendent Minister and the LWP Meeting.

Procedure

In a case where the conduct of a Local Preacher or Worship Leader is insensitive (e.g. in language and/or attitude), two members of the LWP Meeting, with the authority, support and prayers of the Meeting should define areas of concern using the points raised above. They should have an initial meeting with the preacher to explain the concerns.

Possible outcomes from this meeting:

No need for any action because the Local Preacher/Worship Leader has answered the concerns fully and their conduct is not in question.
Agreed action by the Local Preacher/Worship Leader to answer the concerns raised e.g. at a future meeting or in writing.

Agreed action-points for training and support (by whom, when etc) to achieve a standard of conduct that reflects the Methodist Church's expectations and that can be sustained by the Local Preacher/Worship Leader. These action-points should be put in writing with copies for the preacher concerned, the Superintendent Minister and the Circuit LWP Secretary. Recommendation that a complaint be made under Standing Order 020 (2) as part of the Complaints and Discipline procedure.

Awareness of police investigations and court cases against a Local Preacher or Worship Leader may demand some immediate action. This is spelled out in Standing Orders Section 02 `Complaints and Discipline' and includes the neutral action of suspension from office as a discretionary power of the Superintendent Minister (Standing Order 021). Suspension can be beneficial as a way of helping to preserve the trust and confidence between the Local Preacher/Worship Leader concerned and congregations in the Circuit. The Complaints and Discipline procedure for Local Preachers is set out in Standing Orders 027 and 029; for Worship Leaders (as Members) in Standing Orders 028 and 029.

Competence

Local Preachers

Standing Order 568 (2) specifies the first duty of Local Preachers is `to lead worship and preach with knowledge, conviction and competence.' The `Faith & Worship' course and the booklet on Continuing Local Preacher Development translate `knowledge, conviction and competence' in terms of study, spirituality and skills. However, in these guidelines, `Competence' covers all three areas, implying that ineffectiveness in any of these areas seriously impairs the overall competence of a preacher.

Worship Leaders

The paper: What is a Worship Leader? describes the tasks that a Worship Leader can be expected to offer and carry out effectively.

Persistent concerns about Local Preachers or Worship Leaders could well arise from a lack of preparation and study, or from a neglect of spiritual sustenance, or from shortcomings in audibility and other practicalities of leading worship, or (in the case of preachers) from less than persuasive preaching. When such concerns do persist, then some action needs to be taken.

It is a much happier state of affairs if a Circuit does not wait for a crisis about competence, but provides mutual help and support through a Continuing Development programme. Opportunities for thought-provoking study, for spiritually-refreshing retreat, for constructive feedback on leading worship and preaching all build a supportive climate which makes incompetence less likely, but also more noticeable.

Who might raise such a concern?

Concerns about competence are likely to be expressed informally by stewards and congregation members (including other Local Preachers and Worship Leaders) and there may be a reluctance to register a concern formally through Church Councils. The LWP Meeting should be alert to informally expressed concerns so that appropriate supportive action can be taken.

Procedure

The Superintendent Minister and the Circuit LWP Secretary should be aware of these concerns before they are raised at a LWP Meeting. A concern about competence should not land as a bombshell in the meeting. If it does, it should be referred to the Superintendent Minister and the Circuit LWP Secretary for consideration. If the concern was about the competence of the preaching or leading of worship of the Circuit LWP Secretary, then the District LWP Secretary should be involved.

The Superintendent Minister and the LWP Secretary should clarify:

what aspects of competence are needing to be addressed,
what support systems are/could be in place,
who would be the most appropriate people (not necessarily preachers) to raise the matter with the preacher concerned,
if two of those people are prepared to meet with the preacher.

The two people, with the authority, support and prayers of the Local Preachers' Meeting, should meet with the preacher to raise the concerns and to consider helpful ways to rebuild trust and confidence between the preacher and churches in the Circuit.

Possible outcomes

Report by the two people to the Circuit LWP Meeting why no action is needed by the Local Preacher or Worship Leader (e.g. because of misunderstanding) and recommendation to the Circuit LWP Meeting on how it should respond to those who have expressed concern.
Agreed action by the Local Preacher/Worship Leader to answer the concerns raised e.g. at a future meeting or in writing.
Agreed action-points for training and support (by whom, when etc) to achieve a level of competence that meets the Circuit's needs. These action-points should be put in writing with copies for the Local Preacher/Worship Leader concerned, the Superintendent Minister and the Circuit LWP Secretary.
Recommendations to bring this ministry to a fitting conclusion (e.g. the resignation of the Local Preacher/Worship Leader where possible expressed in terms of retirement; some fitting way the Circuit can mark this ending and record appreciation).
Recommendation that a complaint be made under Standing Order 020 (2) as part of the Complaints and Discipline procedure.

Creed

Standing Order 568 (2) expects Local Preachers to `preach nothing at variance with "our doctrines"' and then points to `those truths of salvation which are set forth in the Methodist doctrinal standards' (which are stated in the Deed of Union Section 2 (4)). These are broad statements which have enabled the Methodist Church to be a broad church encompassing and embracing a variety of perspectives of faith. Local Preachers need to appreciate that they are serving a broad church of people who will not necessarily share a preacher's particular perspective. Although they are not called to preach, Worship Leaders need the same awareness.

The Methodist Catechism (available from Methodist Publishing House) is useful in setting out `as clear a statement as possible of the Christian faith'. In Section 68 it also describes distinctive features of the Methodist Church, including a summary of its message as:

All need to be saved.
All may be saved.
All may know themselves to be saved.
All may be saved to the uttermost.

The inclusive nature of these statements indicates that preachers in Methodist churches need to proclaim Good News for all.

That same section also points to other traditional features of the Methodist Church, including `the importance of hymn-singing in worship and in the teaching of doctrine'. `Hymns & Psalms' therefore becomes a useful resource in articulating doctrines espoused by the Methodist Church.

Where there are concerns about expressions of doctrine by Local Preachers (and Worship Leaders e.g. in their choice of words in prayers), the Bible, the Deed of Union, the Catechism and `Hymns & Psalms' are the main resources available as checkpoints.

The Methodist Church expects Local Preachers and Worship Leaders to stay true to the doctrines it holds. When an interest in, or enthusiasm for, a particular aspect of faith becomes a preoccupation for a preacher (always banging the same drum) or for a worship leader (always using the same form of words), then the Good News is being diminished. There are similar dangers when a statement of belief is expressed persistently in a way that distorts well-established doctrines, or that provokes un-Christian attitudes (like xenophobia), or that runs counter to Methodist Church policy (e.g. on sexuality).

Who might raise such a concern?

Concerns about doctrine and creed are likely to be expressed formally by church councils, but also informally by stewards and congregation members (including other Local Preachers and Worship Leaders).

Procedure

The Superintendent Minister and the Circuit LWP Secretary should be aware of these concerns before they are raised at a LWP Meeting. A concern about creed should not land as a bombshell in the meeting. If it does, it should be referred to the Superintendent Minister and the Circuit LWP Secretary for consideration using the procedure outlined below. If the concern was about the doctrine of the preaching or leading of worship of the Circuit LWP Secretary, then the District LWP Secretary should be involved.

The Superintendent Minister and the LWP Secretary should clarify:

the nature of concern about doctrine that needs to be addressed,
what support systems are/could be in place,
who would be the most appropriate people (not necessarily preachers) to raise the matter with the Local Preacher/Worship Leader concerned,
if two of those people are prepared to meet with the Local Preacher/Worship Leader.

The two people, with the authority, support and prayers of the LWP Meeting, should meet with the preacher to raise the concerns and to consider helpful ways to rebuild trust and confidence between the Local Preacher/Worship Leader and the Circuit.

Possible outcomes

Report by the two people to the Circuit LWP Meeting why no action is needed by the Local Preacher or Worship Leader (e.g. because of misunderstanding) and recommendation to the Circuit LWP Meeting on how it should respond to those who have expressed concern.
Agreed action by the Local Preacher/Worship Leader to answer the concerns raised e.g. at a future meeting or in writing.
Agreed action-points for training and support (by whom, when etc) to enable the Local Preacher/Worship Leader to meet the doctrinal standards of the Methodist Church. These action-points should be put in writing with copies for the Local Preacher/Worship Leader concerned, the Superintendent Minister and the Circuit LWP Secretary.
Recommendations to bring this ministry to a fitting conclusion (e.g. the resignation of the Local Preacher/Worship Leader where possible expressed in terms of retirement; some fitting way the Circuit can mark this ending and record appreciation).
Recommendation that a complaint be made under Standing Order 020 (2) as part of the Complaints and Discipline procedure.