Appendix BB
POLICY FOR PARISH ASSOCIATES
Commission on Ministry
Presbytery of Hudson River
According to the old Book of Order, “A parish associate is a minister who
serves in some validated ministry other than the local parish, or is a
member-at-large, or is retired, but who wishes to maintain a relationship
with a particular church or churches in keeping with ordination to the
ministry of the Word and Sacrament. Such persons, already qualified as
continuing members of presbytery, may serve as parish associates. The
relation shall be established, upon nomination by the pastor, between the
parish associate, the session, and the presbytery. The parish associate
shall be responsible to the pastor, as head of staff, on an “as need, as
available” basis and with or without remuneration.” (G-14.0570)
“The agreement between the session, the parish associate, and the
presbytery shall terminate when the call to the installed pastor is
dissolved. The presbytery may dissolve the relationship with the parish
associate upon the recommendation of the committee on ministry.” (G14.0573)
NOTE: The new Form of Government does not specifically mention
Parish Associates. The Commission on Ministry has agreed to abide by
the description above from the old Book of Order.
Parish Associates are Teaching Elders whose main ministry is often times
in non parish settings, but who also wish to affiliate with a local
congregation for purposes of nurturing their own spiritual journey and
offering gifts of ministry within that congregation.
A Parish Associate is invited by the Session/Council to be part of the
ministry of a congregation, and is accountable to the Pastor/Head of
Staff. The Parish Associate relationship automatically ends when the
Pastor/Head of Staff leaves the congregation.
Parish Associate relationships are approved by the Commission on
Ministry of the presbytery, upon recommendation by the
Session/Council. The relationship must be reaffirmed annually, with
notification sent to the presbytery Commission on Ministry (usually in
January).
A Position Description describing the Parish Associate relationship will
be kept on file in the presbytery office. The Description should include
duties and responsibilities and any compensation associated with the
relationship. (Parish Associates are generally unpaid positions, though
the Book of Order does not prohibit salary. Vouchered expense funds are
encouraged.)
October, 2008 – revised August, 2014