For Ministers

2009 Pastor's Compensation Formula / Church Finances

• 2009 Pastor's compensation form (also in PDF and Word formats).
• This manual contains lots of information about ministers' finances--taxes, housing, salary agreements, and more. Download now in PDF format.

Pastoral Ministry Handbook

This handbook explains our various ministerial licenses, the assignment process, and other matters pertaining to United Brethren ministers. View online | PDF

2008 Annual Reports

Each year, pastors (assigned and unassigned) are required to complete forms which tell about the church's ministry during the past year and their own ministry. Those forms are available as Microsoft Word forms, which ministers can then return to the Bishop's Office as email attachments, or print out and return by regular mail. Go here to download them.

Ministerial Licensing

• An overview of the various stages of licensing for United Brethren ministers.
• The list of approved seminaries.
• Ordination options for ministers.
• Forms needed to attain the various licenses.

Ministerial Assignments

• Church and Ministerial profile forms.
• The assignment process in the United Brethren church.
• Policy for filling positions involving senior pastor vacancies.

Church and Clergy Finances

Much information about such things as clergy taxes, reimbursement policies, salary agreements, housing allowance, keeping the IRS happy, etc.

Agreement Between Churches and New Pastors

Also in the Personnel area, we have what we call an "Agreement of Understanding," which every church should use when hiring new staff (whether it's the senior pastor or associate pastors).

• View it online.
• Read introductory material about it.
• Download it as a fillable form.

Parish and Minister's Profile Forms

Use the Parish Profile form to describe all aspects of your church. It's especially helpful to give to prospective pastors. The Minister's Profile Form gives a thorough picture of a minister, and is normally required of persons applying for a position in the United Brethren church. Download the forms.

Lay Ministers' Reading List

A lengthy list of books for lay ministers. They must read a certain number each year. Download it in MS Word format.

Other

• The role of the Personnel Relations Commission.
• Handling conflict resolution in the local church.
• "When Shepherds Suffer," some thoughts from Ray A. Seilhamer
• In July 1999, a 48-page manual was published for local church Personnel Relations Commissions. Our organizational structure has changed sigificantly since then, but the principles still apply. It can be downloaded here in PDF format.

Church Finances

This manual contains lots of information about ministers' finances--taxes, housing, salary agreements, and more. Download now in PDF format.