Ministry Handbook.

The Ministry Handbook is a guide and reference for those in placement and entitlements for those in ministry in the Uniting Church Western Australia.

The handbook is produced by the Ministerial Benefits Committee, who also regularly review its contents to ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date.

1: CONTENTS

1 Contents

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Definitions and Abbreviations

2: THEOLOGY OF THE STIPEND

2.1a Theology of the Stipend

3: STIPENDS

3.1 Please contact one of the following people to receive a current list of Stipends and Allowances: Placements Administrator, Chief Financial Officer or Payroll Manager.

3.2 Payment Beyond the Minimum Stipend – Updated October 2017

3.3 Regional Loadings -Approved General Council August 2011

3.4 Minister’ s Benefits Guidelines in WA – Approved by General Council – 8 February 2016

3.4a Operation of Minister’s Benefit Account – Please email our Accounts Officer for assistance.

3.4b Minister’s Benefit Account – Expenditure Acquittal Advice– Uploaded 15 November 2017

3.5 Payment Arrangements – Updated October 2017

4: HOUSING

4.1 Housing Policy incorporating Couples in Ministry

4.2 National Home Endowment Fund (Approved General Council 12/2011)

4.3 Manse Guidelines – Updated October 2017

5: MOTOR VEHICLE PROVISIONS

5.1 Motor Vehicle Policy -Approved by General Council April 2011

5.1a Motor Vehicle Travel Expense Claim Form

5.2 Co-operative Loan Fund– Approved by Synod Standing Committee November 2016

5.3 Motor Vehicle Concessions– Approved General Council April 2011

6: OTHER ALLOWANCES AND WORK RELATED EXPENSES

6.1 Personal Resources Development Grant– Approved by General Council December 2011 – Updated Oct 2017. Ministers please refer to Terms of Placement.

6.2 Minister’s Wellness Benefit Scheme – please contact our Insurance & Risk Manager or Pastoral Relations and Placements Administrator to receive a copy.

6.3 Help in Difficult Situations – Approved by General Council April 2011

6.4 Entitlements for those in Ministry Living above the 26th Parallel

7: LEAVE

7.1 Annual Leave – Approved by General Council October 2016. Updated March 2017

7.1a Annual Leave Form Application Form– Approved by General Council September 2016

7.2 Other Leave – Approved by Pastoral Relations & Placements Commission – August 2016 (includes public holidays, preaching free Sundays, study leave, compassionate/bereavement leave, jury duty, carer’s leave).

7.3 Sick Leave

7.4 Long Service Leave. Please email our Pastoral Relations and Placements Administrator to receive a copy of this policy.

7.4a Long Service Leave Application Form

7.5 Maternity Leave (in progress)

7.6 Parental Leave (in progress)

8: SUPERANNUATION

8.1 Superannuation (In progress)

9: PART TIME MINISTRY

9.1 Part Time Ministry and Guidelines for Visiting Preachers from other Denomination- November 2016

9.2 Guidelines for Visiting Preachers or Speakers from other Denominations to Uniting Church congregations – Approved by Synod Standing Committee December 2017

10: SUPPLY MINISTRY

10 Supply Ministries– General Overview

10.1 Occasional Supply- Approved by General Council October 2012

10.2 Short Term Supply -Amended and Approved General Council February 2014

10.3 Long Term Supply -Please email our Pastoral Relations and Placements Administrator to receive a copy of this policy.

10.4 Transitional Ministry Placements– Approved by General Council October 2012

11: ACCOUNTABILITY IN MINISTRY

11.2 Supervision

11.2a Sample Supervision Covenant

11.2b Sample Report Supervisor to Placement Body

11.3 Continuing Education

11.4 Reporting Accounts of Abuse Under the Oversight of the Royal Commission – Please contact Safe Church/Royal Commission Officer or the General Secretary for guidance and further advice.

11.5 Professional Standards Policy – Approved by Synod Standing Committee 14 August 2017. Updated on 20 March 2018.

12: OTHER ITEMS

12.1 Placement of Chaplains in WA

12.2 Lay Ministry Worker Remuneration Guidelines – Updated August 2017

12.3 Couples in Ministry – incorporated into 4.1 Housing Policy

12.4 Baptism, Wedding and Funeral charges (To be written)

13: RELOCATION

13.1 Ministry Relocation Policy – Amended February 2013

13.2 Removal Inventory

14: MINISTERS OBLIGATIONS TO GOVERNMENT

14.3 National Police Certificate

14.4 Working with Children Check

14.5 Marriage Celebrant Requirements
Please contact our Pastoral Relations and Placements Administrator for an application form and/or an appointment with our General Secretary.

15: MINISTRY DOCUMENTATION

15.1 Ministry Leadership Profile Template

15.2 Congregational Profile Template

15.3 Standard Letter of Call

15.4 Terms of Placement – Updated September 2017
If you require an editable version of the above template, please email our Pastoral Relations and Placements Administrator.

15.5 National Handbook of Placement Procedures

15.6 Ministers Annual-Report 2015/16

15.7 Lay Ministry Worker Remuneration Guidelines – Updated August 2017

15.8 Ministry of Pastor: Steps for appointing Ministry of Pastor

15.9 Ministry of Pastor: Steps for Appointing a Pastor