Open Churches
In the United Methodist Church, pastoral appointments are fixed for one year. During the appointment season, the cabinet reviews ALL appointments. During the regular appointment season (January to May), the cabinet will post a list of open churches under consideration on Wednesdays on the Conference website.
Clergy interested in being considered for one of these churches are to inform the episcopal office exclusively via email at bishopsoffice@susumc.org by Thursday at 3:00 p.m. and share why they believe they would serve the congregation well. The appointive cabinet will prayerfully consider these requests during their discernment process.
Clergy communicating their interest in a church actively being considered by the cabinet,
- Must understand that requesting to be considered for an appointment is strictly advisory and does not guarantee you will be considered or appointed to the open church.
- Cannot, in any way, communicate with the members or the pastor of the open church to advocate on their behalf.
- Can be assured that their request to the cabinet will remain confidential, will not affect their current appointment, and will not be shared with their church’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC).
- Clergy from other conferences must notify their district superintendent before expressing interest in an open church.
The list of open churches will be updated as each appointment is finalized.
Appointments
- Open Churches
- New Appointments
- Pastoral Retirements
- Pastoral Transition Resources
- Book of Discipline: Appointment-Making
Mary Bradley
Cabinet Administrator
Thomas Salsgiver
Assistant to the Bishop