What is the Ministry and Personnel (M&P) committee?

The M&P committee is a confidential, consultative body that supports the pastoral relationship with our congregation and makes recommendations to Church Council. Each pastoral charge is required by the bylaws of the United Church of Canada to have an M&P committee. 

What is the role of M&P?

Serving on an M&P committee requires balancing a number of roles: Consultative & Supportive 

• Review working conditions, position descriptions and remuneration for the staff and make appropriate recommendations to Church Council
• Oversee relationships between staff and the congregation Consult with staff and support plans for continuing education
• Review staff effectiveness relative to the mission of our church
• Maintain a liaison with the Board and Presbytery

Supervisory

• Set clear expectations regarding how each position supports the mission and goals of the Church
• Conduct annual reviews
• Coordinate dates for holidays and study leaves and ensure coverage

Communication

• Facilitate the building and maintenance of healthy relationships
• Develop and publicize a process for showing appreciation and for raising concerns
• Ensure that constructive feedback can be offered and received in a positive way

Conflict Resolution

• Encourage balanced dialogue and resolution of conflict

Staff Liaison

The ministers and staff have been assigned their own liaison person from the Committee. To do our work thoroughly and fairly, we will need to have regular congregational feedback on job performances, objectives and activities.

Feedback

To enable that feedback to be easily conveyed (nothing anonymous or undocumented, please), we have set up a separate e-mail address for the M & P Committee which is mp_committee@rogers.com so that your thoughts and opinions on what is going well, as well as constructive suggestions for improvements in ministry and staff matters can be easily and confidentially heard, and dealt with expeditiously. We encourage everyone in the congregation to keep us in touch with your ideas and concerns as we all try to ensure that St. Paul’s remains an outstanding, inspirational leader in the spiritual life of our community.

How often does the committee meet?

The M&P committee meets 6 times per year and more often as necessary to work on specific projects and initiatives. At least 4 of these meetings are held with the ministers.

Who me? On M&P?

• M&P committees function most effectively when members come from various backgrounds and life experiences, with a balance of women and men from various age groups.
• Specific skills that are valuable for the work of the committee include human relationship skills, organizational and communication skills.
• Please advise the Church Office if you have an interest in serving our congregation in this way.