How to Determine Retired Local Pastor Status Issue At the spring 2020 Business of the Annual Conference (BAC) review session, it became apparent that there was confusion around the term: Re red Local Pastor vs the term Local Pastor who has Re red.
Guidelines
Background In our DCOM handbook (pg42) the following is stated: “RL or Re red Local Pastor status is a technical term reserved for local pastors who have been approved for re rement and are current with their studies at the me of re rement (made adequate progress as defined by Holston and/or completed the basic Course of Study). RL status allows re red local pastors who are not serving an appointment to retain voice, but not vote, at Annual Conference. RL status also allows an appointed pastor to request a limited license for a re red local pastor to assist with ministerial du es, including sacraments, in the church where the re red local pastor is a member. Local pastors who are serving in re rement, unless qualifying for RL status, will con nue as either full- me or part- me local pastors. If a local pastor who was not eligible at the me of re rement for RL status but becomes current with required studies while serving in re rement, the local pastor may request to be listed as a Re red Local Pastor (RL).”
This understanding is based on ¶320.5 which states: 5. Re red Local Pastors a) Candidates for ministry at age 72 or older may enter or con nue in the candidacy process to pursue appointment in re red local pastor status. b) A local pastor who has made sa sfactory progress in the Course of Study as specified in ¶ 318.1 or .2 may be recognized as a re red local pastor. Re rement provisions for local pastors shall be the same as those for clergy members in ¶ 358.1, .2, .4, with pensions payable in accordance with applicable provisions of the Clergy Re rement Security Program. c) Re red local pastors who are not under appointment may a end annual conference sessions with voice but not vote. A re red local pastor may be appointed by the bishop to a charge and licensed upon recommenda on by the district commi ee on ordained ministry without crea ng addi onal claim upon the conference minimum compensa on nor further pension credit. A re red local pastor who is serving under appointment shall a end annual conference sessions with voice and vote (¶ 602.1d). d) Local pastors who have completed the Course of Study may upon re rement annually request from the District Commi ee of Ordained Ministry and the bishop a license to con nue to serve in the local church where they hold membership for the purpose of providing sacramental rites of bap sm and Holy Communion, at the request of the appointed pastor. This license does not cons tute an appointment and does not provide vote