Resources to support ministry leaders in establishing healthy and vital pastoral relationships. Includes benefits and leaves, policies, and networking opportunities.
Findings of the Flourishing in Ministry Study
United Church ministry personnel were invited to participate in the Flourishing in Ministry survey in February 2018. Designed and implemented by the Wellbeing at Work research group, it examined everyday happiness, resilience, self-integrity, and thriving. For a summary of positive insights, concerns, and major themes, and some questions for reflection on the findings, read Findings of the Flourishing in Ministry Study under Downloads, below.
Practical Matters
- Compensation and Benefits: Visit the Benefits Centre website to learn about your group benefits, pension, and salary.
- Financial Assistance: Limited funds are available to provide financial assistance to ministry personnel and lay leaders.
- Employee and Family Assistance Program: Learn more about this confidential counselling service.
- Leaves and Absences: Church policy and employment legislation allow eligible ministry personnel to take time away from their regular responsibilities for various reasons.
- Learn about maternity leave, parental leave, and sabbatical leave in the Pastoral Relations: Supporting the Pastoral Relationship resource. To determine salary continuance and top-up payment amounts during a maternity or parental leave, see Calculating Maternity and Parental Leave Top-Up under Budgeting Tools for Treasurers.
- Financial assistance to help pastoral charges enable sabbatical leave may be available.
- Also review the health benefits in your Group Benefits plan and the short-term Restorative Care Plan.
- Buying United: Group discounts are available to lessen the financial strain for both ministry personnel and communities of faith. To access Buying United complete the simple one-time registration process using the Access Code “united”.
Guidelines and Policies
Be sure to review the following under Downloads:
- Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice for Ministry Personnel
- Guidelines for Counselling by Ministry Personnel
- Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy
- Workplace Violence and Harassment Policy
- Police Records Checks
- Pastoral Relations: Supporting the Pastoral Relationship
- Retirement and Pastoral Relations
(Note that there is a mandatory training on the Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy.)
United Fresh Start
The United Fresh Start educational program is for ministry personnel and lay leaders serving congregations that are in transition, especially those in a new pastoral relationship. Visit CHURCHx for more information and to access e-modules.
Other Education and Networking
- Webinars: United in Learning, through the CHURCHx platform, offers distance learning for church leaders on a variety of topics, from strengthening your ministry practice to budgeting to planning for retirement.
- Continuing Education: There are opportunities for con ed at United Church theological schools. Canadian and international continuing education opportunities can be found through a database of the Anglican Church of Canada.
- EDGE: A Network for Ministry Development: EDGE offers a number of resources to strengthen the vitality of both ministry personnel and communities of faith.
- United Church Foundation Granting Funds: When considering your continuing edication and sabbatical opportunities, check out the funding options available on the Foundation website.
- Strengthening Congregations: Invigorate your congregation’s ministry and mission with resources to deepen your understanding of belonging, hospitality, compassion, witness, and hope.
Staying in Touch
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Downloads
- Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice for Ministry Personnel (2023) (81.67 KB) (PDF)
- Findings of the Flourishing in Ministry Study (133.83 KB) (PDF)
- Guidelines for Counselling by Ministry Personnel (171.34 KB) (PDF)
- Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy and Procedures (Oct 2023) (920.35 KB) (PDF)
- Police Records Checks (January 2019) (296.28 KB) (PDF)
- Pastoral Relations: Supporting the Pastoral Relationship (Dec. 2024) (383.38 KB) (PDF)
- Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Violence Response Policy (2023) (993.93 KB) (PDF)
- Retirement and Pastoral Relations (126.71 KB) (PDF)