AboutWayne Tucker Expertise I will attempt an answer to any question you care to ask about the United Methodist Church, or any other matter of faith.
Experience I am an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. I have been a pastor since January, 1988. I am a member of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. M.Div. Christian Theological Seminary, 1991
Question QUESTION: Can a church staff member who is also the membership secretary be permitted to vote on church council? Where is it in the 08 Book of Discipline?
ANSWER: Linda,
Paragraph 252.5 details the minimum membership of the council. It also gives the Charge Conference the authority to determine the size of the Church Council beyond the minimum. Therefore, the answer to your question is "Yes, if the Charge Conference has granted that office membership on the Council." Anyone may attend a Council meeting. Any member of the congregation may speak. We are encouraged to operate by a discernment and consensus model. This would take into account everyone in the room. Some congregations employ a more strict parliamentary voting procedure, where only Council members may vote.
I hope this helps some. Feel free to follow up as necessary.
Respectfully,
Wayne Tucker
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QUESTION: Thank you for your answer. I just had a quick follow-up. I am not a staff member - but am a SPRC member. At previous church council meetings, staff voted, however, since a new pastor, they have not. Since traditionally (at least at our church) council meeting attendance is low, I think all who show should have a voice as well as a vote. I know annual conferences "strongly encourage" things, like pastor vacation. Does the annual conference also recommend the discernment and consensus model? How does one get a change from parliamentary to consensus? Does the church council vote?
Answer Linda,
As I said before, every member of the congregation has a voice at such meetings, but only the Charge Conference can decide who has a vote. Pastoral vacations are generally part of the Annual Conference standards. Congregations agree to the standards in order to be a part of the United Methodist Church. It's a package deal: United Methodist pastors come with vacations attached. Charge Conference is where a change from parliamentary to consensus would be made, also, since that meeting sets all policies for the congregation.
