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| Former local pastor opens own church following discontinuance - 7/3/2008 |
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The discontinuation of an IGRC local pastor by the Cache River District Committee on Ministry has sparked controversy in a nearly 200-year-old United Methodist congregation east of Carmi.
Published reports in the July 1 Carmi Times announced Rev. Jerry Crawford would be holding his first service as "an unaffiliated, independent minister" in Crossville July 6.
The announcement followed a second meeting between Cache River District Superintendent Greg Courtright and members of the congregation who were upset because of Crawford's discontinuance as a local pastor. Crawford, who has served as a local pastor for 12 years, failed to complete the Course of Study required by paragraph 319.3 of the denomination's Book of Discipline. Local pastors, who are licensed for a specific site of ministry, are required to complete two weeks of schooling each summer or enroll in the weekend extension course for part-time local pastors in Springfield offered by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
Each two weeks of coursework or three weekends each in the fall and spring account for a half-year of training toward the five-year Course of Study. During the 12-year period, Crawford completed only one year (two two-week sessions).
During his ministry at McHenry, attendance has grown from eight to 10 persons to 30. Crawford, who works full-time as a nursing home activity director and chaplain, also has a song ministry in area nursing homes.
"We affirm Mr. Crawford's ministry and have considered it nothing but positive," Courtright said. "However, Jerry entered into a covenant which included educational requirements when he became a local pastor. And now, he and the congregation are wanting him to have the same status as the 61 full-time and 81 part-time local pastors currently appointed in the conference that are fulfilling the covenant agreement of additional education."
Both Courtright and Bishop Sharon A. Brown Christopher noted that continuing education is a "lifelong commitment," noting that many licensed secular professions regulated by the state require a minimum continuing education requirement in order to have a license renewed.
Christopher, resident bishop of the Illinois Area, agreed to appoint Crawford week-by-week as a supply pastor for up to 30 days, so that Reverend Courtright could continue conversation with the congregation and Crawford could make arrangements to complete educational requirements.
As a supply pastor, Crawford could continue preaching and providing pastoral care at McHenry but would have to have the assistance of an ordained elder or appointed local pastor to assist with sacramental duties such as communion, baptism and weddings. Currently, there are 64 supply pastors that are serving among the nearly 900 congregations within the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
"This option allowed Mr. Crawford to fulfill his educational obligation as a local pastor and give him a period of grace," Christopher said.
After asking for a day to consider this option, Crawford announced his intention to open the Crossville church in the Carmi newspaper.
The McHenry congregation began in White County in 1814. The ground and current church were donated by the McHenry family in the 1880's. Members cite this donation as grounds for allowing the current membership to keep operating the church as a non-denominational church.
However, all local church property in The United Methodist Church is held "in trust" on behalf of the annual conference. This trust clause, a fixture in United Methodist property recitals, is consistent with the church's connectional nature and has more than 200 years of legal precedent.
"The trust clause is a protection of interests," Courtright said. "The McHenry family chose to associate with the predecessor denomination of The United Methodist Church when it was formed. As part of that covenant, the conference is given responsibility to see that the donor's wishes are carried out. The conference also has provided pastors for the church over the last 194 years.
"But the trust clause also is a protection for the current local church. Unlike a congregational church, where a group of people could come in, gain membership and then take over the church, the trust clause prevents such takeovers from occurring since the property and assets are held on behalf of the denomination," Courtright said.
In accordance with the denomination's Book of Discipline, an assessment of ministry will be made if the membership abandons the current property. However, the Bishop has indicated she will appoint a new pastor following Crawford's rejection of this option and his discontinuance.
By Paul Black |
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