¶852 SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS
In order to nourish a healthy connection with the denomination, all ordained ministers and commissioned ministers serving in special appointments are required to attend ministers’ conferences, general conferences and regional gatherings and to submit annual continuing education reports as a condition of retaining their ordination credentials. Attendance at minister’s conferences and regional gatherings, as well as reporting CEUs, is optional for retirees.
They are also encouraged to be part of network meetings and to attend a local FM church (if there is one within fifty kilometres.)
The director of leadership development and church health shall connect with all ministers serving under special appointment, except supply pastors and transition pastors, at least once between General Conferences.
ATTENDING SCHOOL
Ministers may be granted special appointments to further their studies. Such appointments shall name the institution of further education.
CHAPLAINS
Chaplains provide ministry to persons in special situations beyond the local church, such as in the armed forces, prisons, care-giving institutions, and law enforcement agencies. The national MEGaP committee establishes endorsement procedures for chaplaincy. The Free Methodist Church in Canada recognizes the Association of Chaplains, the Free Methodist Chaplains Association of North America, together with its constitution and duly elected officers. Canadian chaplains may hold membership in this association.
CHURCH PLANTERS
Ministers who are planting churches may be granted special appointments to the setting (neighbourhood, village, town) where they are working to establish a church plant.
DENOMINATIONAL MINISTRY
Ministers may be granted special appointments to ministries of the church at large; such as bishop, conference personnel, teachers or administrators in higher education, missionary service or supply relationship in another conference.
INTERIM PASTOR
Interim pastors provide basic pastoral functions during a transition time (preaching, visiting, etc.)
NETWORK MENTOR
A Network Mentor is an ordained minister who is trained and resourced by the bishop and national leadership team and is responsible to help the network leader create a “discipleship experience” for their network of pastors. A Network Mentor is appointed by the Bishop after consultation with MEGaP. A detailed job description is found in ¶881 and a description of the Networks is found in ¶855.
RELEASED FOR SERVICE BEYOND THE DENOMINATION
Ministers may be granted special appointments to serve in ministries beyond the denomination. Their place of service shall be listed in their appointment.
RETIRED
Ministers may retire upon reaching age 65. In exceptional situations, ministers listed as retired may be appointed. The MEGaP committee shall review cases of those seeking early retirement.
SUPPLY PASTORS
Ministerial candidates who are not yet ordained, commissioned ministers and ministers who are ordained with other denominations may be appointed as pastors of our churches. Because they are not yet members of the conference, they shall be appointed as supply pastors.
TRANSITION PASTOR
Transition pastors have special training, skills and authority to help a church refocus during a transition.
