Lutheran Church of Australia Victorian District Inc. (including Tasmania) POLICY DOCUMENT Title Theological Foundation / Constitution Alignment Relevant to Policy Statement HOUSING POLICY FOR PASTORS God s word teaches that generous remuneration is appropriate for those who labour for the gospel. Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching; for the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, The labourer deserves to be paid (1 Timothy 5:17,18). In the LCA, the provision of a parish house, or the payment of additional salary where the pastor owns his own house is an aspect of this generous remuneration. Pastors and parishes/congregations are counselled to discuss and negotiate matters with Christian love and respect for each other. In their dealings with parishes/congregations, pastors are warned against lording it over those in [their] charge (1 Peter 5:3), or being arrogant or quick-tempered (Titus 1:7). On the other hand, God appeals to members of parishes/congregations through his apostle to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:12). One reason for this is so that the pastor s work among his people will be a joy, not a burden (Hebrews 13:17). All pastors of the LCA 1.a For PARISH PASTORS the calling body shall provide a house according to church specifications. 1.b For NON-PARISH PASTORS the calling body shall provide a house. A Memorandum of Understanding as to the arrangements between the Parish and the Pastor shall be prepared and executed by both parties. (Refer to Attachment A hereto for sample document.) Exceptions NB: Part (b) does not stipulate a house according to church specifications. It recognises that this type of service is more permanent so the standards of housing in non-parish situations may be tailored to suit individual circumstances. In many instances the specification for church-owned houses is inappropriate for these cases, especially where there are no dependent children and/or a study is not required at home. 2.a Where the calling body or the pastor initiate the possibility of alternative housing arrangements and where there is mutual agreement, within the spirit of this policy, for the pastor to provide, purchase or retain his own home and live in it, the pastor shall be paid at the rate applicable where a house is not provided.
Such agreement is subject to the approval of the relevant District Church Council and shall be made prior to the acceptance of a call and remain in force for the duration of service within that parish or organisation. Other 2.b If a pastor elects to provide his own home, despite the calling body s provision of suitable housing, the salary payable shall be that applicable to the category where a house is provided. 3.a Note that the policies of the church take priority. If exceptional circumstances occur during a pastor s term of office within a parish, the employing body may initiate the option of alternative housing arrangements. In this event the same processes shall be followed as if the arrangement was made prior to the start of service within that parish. (However there must still be mutual agreement and district approval is required.) Housing standards for church manses Policy Ownership Policy Implementation Definitions References 3.b A pastor must never feel pressured by the calling/employing body to enter into any alternative arrangement. In the event that a pastor is unable to accept an alternative arrangement, for whatever reason, the church policy prevails. 3.c The calling/employing body must never feel pressured by the pastor into entering any alternative arrangement. At all times church policy takes priority. 3.d In the event of a dispute, the relevant District Church Council shall be consulted for advice. In general the following should be used as a guide. Bedrooms. Main with en-suite and walk-in robe. Bedrooms 2, 3 with built-in robes. Bedrooms 2, 3 & 4 should be large enough to contain 2 single beds and dresser. Lounge, dining room/area, Kitchen and family room should be included. Floor coverings, air-conditioning, rainwater tank and heating as appropriate should be provided. A double garage, either attached or not, as well as a garden tool shed (where appropriate) should also be provided. A family sized refrigerator, washing machine and lawn mower should be included. Where the church provides an office, there is still a need to provide one at the manse. However, where the office is to be provided at the manse, an appropriate study should be provided taking into account the requirements of the particular situation. District Church Council District Administrator N/A LCA Policy Alignment LCA Pastor s Handbook (adopted by GCC and last updated April 2002) Risk & Compliance Reviewed by Risk & Compliance Committee 28 /10/2013
Effective Date Adopted by District Church Council 14/3/2014 Resolution 14/xxx Review Date March 2016 Reference No. VP-009.A Attachments Memorandum of Understanding Attachment A Policy VP-009.A Housing for Pastors ANNEXURE A
Memorandum of Understanding between the Lutheran Church of Australia. Parish and the Resident in the Parish Manse Re: Parish manse property situated at.. 1. The LCA.. Parish (the Parish) has appointed the Property Committee (the committee) to ensure good stewardship of the Parish s manse properties. The Committee s Terms of Reference are attached. 2. The committee s intent is to hand over the premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness and maintain them in a reasonable state of repair. 3. The resident is expected to keep the premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness and shall notify the committee of any damage to the premises and of any state of disrepair which arises during the occupancy. 4. The committee will not cause or permit any interference with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of the resident in the occupancy of the premises. 5. The committee may access the premises: 5.1. For the purpose of an annual inspection, or carrying out necessary repairs to or maintenance at a mutually agreed time; 5.2. In any case of emergency; 6. The resident is not to alter, remove or add any lock or security device without the consent of the Committee given at or immediately before the time of alteration removal or addition of any such lock or device. 7. The resident is not to affix any fixture or make any renovation (including painting), alteration or addition to the premises, without prior consent in writing of the committee. 8. Where the committee has given its consent pursuant to paragraph 7 above the resident may remove any fixture that he has affixed in the premises during the occupancy, provided the removal of the fixture does not cause irreparable damage to the premises. 9. Where the resident causes damage to the premises by the removal of any fixture they shall notify the committee, at whose option they will repair or compensate the Parish for any reasonable expenses incurred by the Parish in repairing the damage. 10. The resident may keep pets on the premises or within the grounds but must ensure: 10.1. Local council regulations are adhered to; 10.2. Any damage by pets is to be repaired at the resident s expense. 11. The resident is to maintain the garden and surrounds in a neat and tidy state and ensure that: 11.1. No major changes are made to this area including planting of trees or shrubs which could cause damage in any way to the premises and/or fences; 11.2. Any additions of garden lighting, fish ponds with pumps, etc. are to meet all safety requirements; 11.3. On vacating the premises if removal of any additions is undertaken the area is to be suitably restored.
12. The Parish will supply and maintain the following appliances, unless otherwise agreed to with the resident: 12.1. Refrigerator 12.2. Washing Machine 12.3. Clothes Dryer as per consultation 12.4. Dish Washer as per consultation 12.5. Lawn Mower 13. All requests for repairs and maintenance are to be made to the committee. In the event of emergency repairs being required and committee personnel are not available the resident is to contact one of the preferred tradespeople from the list supplied. If no preferred tradespeople are available resident to contact appropriate tradespeople and advise the committee of all work undertaken to ensure the committee is able to maintain a detailed schedule of all work carried out at the property. 14. On vacating the premises the resident is to ensure the premises are in such condition as when the resident took possession of the premises except for normal wear and tear. 15. On vacating the premises the resident is to arrange for the carpets to be professionally cleaned at the resident s expense unless advised otherwise by the committee. If the resident has had pets the carpets are also to be fumigated at the resident s expense. 16. Common sense is to prevail at all times... Resident Date.. Parish Administrator Date 3 copies to be signed One to be retained by resident, one by the Property Committee and one to be lodged with the District Office.
Approved by Parish Church Council on