FAQ on Appointment Process and Clear Openings
The itineracy and appointment of pastors to churches is one of the defining traits of The United Methodist Church. Each year, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, in consultation with the district superintendents, clergy and churches, appoints pastors to local churches in the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences. The appointments typically begin July 1. The guiding principles and process of the appointment system are outlined in a document called “The Point of Appointments.”
This year, the process of posting open appointments or “clear openings,” and inviting clergy to apply for a particular appointment, is being contined to assist the bishop and Cabinet in this appointment process.
1. Why is the conference adding this component of announcing clear openings to the appointment process?
The Cabinet has faced difficulty in recent years meeting the needs of open churches as clergy have increased limitations on where they are able/willing to serve. Additionally, the Cabinet recognizes that there may be unknown gifts and interests that will enhance the discernment process in matching needs of a community and congregation with a pastor.
2. How does the Cabinet declare a clear opening?
A clear opening is a church that will be receiving a new full-time pastor this year due to the retirement, death, or appointment of their current pastor to another mission field.
3. Will every church whose pastor is leaving be included on the clear opening list?
Not necessarily. There may be extenuating circumstances with a particular appointment that prevent it from being a candidate for the application process.
4. What information will be made public about the church’s profile?
Information on each open appointment will be provided on the conference website. The profile includes a short snapshot of the congregation and community, as well as details about salary and housing.
5. Will the clear openings be posted on the website at a certain time each week? If so, when will that be?
Clear openings will be updated on Mondays, beginning Dec. 2, and paused from Dec. 23-30.) The nature of the appointment process is that as some openings are filled, others become available by the movement of clergy in the itinerant system. The process will remain fluid throughout the appointment season.
6. Who is eligible to apply?
Active United Methodists who are candidates for ministry or already in clergy relationship within the UMC.
7. Are clergy from other denominations able to apply?
No. Only those who have entered into relationship with The United Methodist Church will be considered.
8. What information does a pastor need to submit to be considered for an appointment?
There is a standard application form for all openings. It is posted on the website.
9. Can a pastor apply for multiple clear openings?
Yes. The pastor may apply for more than one opening, but a new application should be completed for each appointment.
10. If a pastor applies for a clear opening, will their SPRC be notified or will that information be made public in any way?
No. The pastor’s application will be considered with all other names brought to the discernment process. Only after a pastoral appointment has been finalized and officially announced in the local church, will it be posted on the conference website.
11. About how long will it take after submitting one’s name, for a pastor to be notified?
This will vary depending on many factors. The appointment season lasts throughout the first half of the year, with most appointments being finalized before the annual conference session in May.
12. If a pastor applies, but is not appointed to that church, will they be notified?
No. The appointments will be posted as usual on the conference website.
13. How will this addition to the appointment process affect the itineracy process?
This is one additional tool in the process of discernment. The Cabinet engages in deep prayer to match the missional needs of a congregation/community with the gifts of individual clergy. Those individuals who apply for a position will be considered as are all other potential names before the Cabinet.
14. How will it be submitted? Who will review it?
The application form is an online form that will be read only by the bishop and Cabinet.
15. Has this process been used in other annual conferences?
Yes. Several conferences are employing a similar process for this appointment season.
16. When will the announcements of appointments for 2025 begin?
The Cabinet is in the season of prayerful discernment and are expected to begin considering appointments in mid-December. The process of naming a pastor to a church takes time for prayerful consideration by the pastor, consultation with the SPRC, time for announcements to be made internally and externally. The work is ongoing throughout the winter/spring and sometimes extends into the summer.