MINISTRY TO CHURCHES

One of the most critical times in the life of a congregation is during a pastoral transition. The search for a new senior pastor is vitally important to the future health and ministry of the church.

The PNA is a helpful resource to churches looking for their next pastoral leader. This includes providing transition consultation, search committee support, and connection with a number of programs offered by our National Office. The Movement’s Credentials Manual outlines the services the PNA’s Credentials Committee provides in partnership with the local congregation during a pastoral transition. Please click on the “Mission Possible: The Pastoral Search Committee Handbook” tab for a resource to get you started.

One of the challenges with a pastoral transition is securing the services of an interim pastor. One option is the Church of God’s Transitional Interim Pastor Services Program, or TIPS. Additionally, there are a number of credentialed PNA pastors who are available for interim and/or teaching team assignments. The PNA also assists our churches with other pastor and leadership searches as well. Contact the PNA Office to learn more about how the PNA can partner with your church in the search process.

Credentialed Church of God ministers interested in serving in one of our churches can check out the “Current Openings” link or contact us.

A clearly defined governance model that brings clarity to the roles of the pastor and the board/council is critical to the church’s long-term health and ministry effectiveness. Two books that speak to adopting a mission-focused organizational structure are:

• Lost In Logistics by Bob Moss (Warner Press, 2018).

• Winning On Purpose: How to Organize Congregations to Succeed in Their Mission by John Edmund Kaiser (Abington, 2006).

The following resources will assist you in creating a healthy governance structure:

• Sample Bylaws

• Sample Guiding Principles

• Pastor Evaluation Form

Please contact the PNA Office for additional counsel when updating your bylaws or seeking to nurture a healthy relationship between the pastor and the Board.

There are a number of resources available to assist PNA churches in the stewardship of their resources:

• The ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) is the “gold standard” for Christian financial stewardship best practices. Annually, the ECFA publishes its Church and Nonprofit Tax and Financial Guide for minimal cost. Check out their site for a wealth of other resources.

• IRS publication 1828, Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations is a quick reference guide of federal tax law and procedures to help churches voluntarily comply with tax rules.

• Servant Solutions, formerly the Church of God Board of Pensions, manages the Church of God Retirement Plan available to ministers IRS publication 1828, Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations and church staff, and has a number of valuable online resources, especially those related to compensation.

• Property Safeguarding or secure deeding as it is also referred to, honors and preserves the sacrifices made by Church of God families from previous generations. It protects the church’s assets from being stolen, or “steeple-jacked,” by outsiders determined to take the church and its property out of the Movement. Contact the PNA Office to learn more about how you can put this important safeguard in place.

• Property Tax Exemption (Washington) – This brochure provides basic information on how churches can obtain a property tax exemption, along with the requirements to maintain that status.

A highly recommended resource for every executive pastor and board treasurer is the book, Money Matters in Church, A Practical Guide for Leaders by Aubrey Lalphurs and Steve Stroope. Anyone being asked to steward a church’s financial resources will find this book to be a helpful guide.

There are a number of educational resources available to church leaders:

• The Double K Retreat and Adventure Center in Easton, WA hosts a number of conferences throughout the year. Double K is a sister ministry that has been serving the PNA’s camping traditions and needs for 40 years. Check out their Events Page for upcoming events.

• The Global Leadership Summit occurs annually in early August. The PNA partners with Cornwall Church in Bellingham, Washington, which serves as a video venue host site for the Summit. With a wide variety of speakers from the church and business community, this annual conference is always a powerful event. Again this year, Cornwall Church and the PNA jointly provide 30 all-expense paid scholarships so a senior/lead pastor and a board member can attend. Please contact the PNA Office if your PNA church is interested.

• PNA Connect, the PNA’s annual three-day conference, is held the first weekend in October that includes a Friday. The host church changes each year as we move the conference around the district.

• The WARM Conference (Western Area Regional Ministerium) is a multi-day conference that occurs every other year. Check out their website for more information.

• CHOG Regional Conferences occur in the years after a national convention. Check out the website for this year’s events.

• International Youth Convention (IYC) occurs in the years after a national convention. Check out the website for more information.

• CHOG Global Conventions occur biennially. Check out the website for details as they become available.