Ministry of Pastor
Pastor is a lay specified ministry of the Uniting Church. It is a role where a person exercises a significant ministry on behalf of the Uniting Church in one or more of the following areas:
- teaching the beliefs and practices of the Uniting Church; and/or
- pastoral oversight of members and/or groups operating under the auspices of the Church; an /or
- leadership of worship in congregations or faith communities of the Uniting Church; and/or
- oversight ministry of children, youth and families: and/or
- evangelism or service beyond a gathered congregation but which is exercised under the auspices of the Uniting Church.
Pathways
There are two pathways for serving as a lay person in a Ministry of Pastor position.
The first pathway is an application for vacancy position advertised by a congregation, Presbytery, Synod or agency of the Uniting Church.
The second is where the person applies to the Placement Committee of the Synod Victas or a currently listed placement.
Pre-requisite
A key pre-requisite for ministry as a Pastor is the completion of the core competencies training and assessment program. This training and assessment program is administered by presbyteries in partnership with Pilgrim Theological College. It is mandatory for all people engaged by the Uniting Church as Pastors to complete this training and assessment.
It is expected that it be completed this within the first three months of the appointment.
Pastors must also adhere to the Code of Ethics and Ministry of Practice training and complete this training regularly.
Another important component of the Ministry of Pastor is the commitment to ongoing professional develop including the formation of a professional development plan. This plan must include further development of general competencies required for the role.
Approvals
Pastors may be full-time or part-time and may be engaged as volunteers. Applicants for the role must be prepared to become a member or an associate member of the Uniting Church.
In addition to having the competence and capacity to exercise the responsibilities of the specific ministry to which Pastors are to be appointed, a Pastor must have a suitable character, personal and spiritual maturity.
Congregations must seek the approval of their presbytery prior to engaging a Pastor.
Role titles
Persons who are accountable to the Uniting Church under the Uniting Church regulations do not have to be called ‘Pastor’ in their ministry. They may be, for example, be Youth Workers, Youth and Family Ministry Workers, Chaplains or Pastoral Assistants. Pastors may be engaged in part time or fulltime roles and are commonly identified by their position description.
Pastors are an important part of ministry they exercise a lot of responsibility and often work with vulnerable people. As such they are in a relationship of high accountability within the Uniting Church.
Conclusion
At the conclusion of an appointment a person would cease to be recognised as serving in a Ministry of Pastor. They be eligible to apply for another Ministry of Pastor role.
Further information
Information about non-placement pastors is available in the annually revised ‘Summary of Ministerial Provisions and Charges’. This document is posted on the Victas website at the end of each year.
Contact People & Culture for information and advice People&Culture@victas.uca.org.au