With the decline of the mainline church, churches are filling pulpits in creative ways because they can no longer afford a full-time pastor. They are sharing pastors…either with other churches or with other employers (i.e. co-vocational or bi-vocational). What do you do if you find yourself with an empty parsonage? Can you sell it? Should you sell it? What are the implications?
The United Methodists have thought through this…to some degree. The best thing they did was setup a process so this isn’t a rash decision.
Useful Links
- Legal Manual for UMC: https://www.gcfa.org/services/legal-services/legal-manual/
- Property Section of Legal Manual for UMC: https://www.gcfa.org/media/1423/section-4-property-and-estate-planning.pdf
- 2016 Book of Discipline: https://www.dakotasumc.org/media/files/old/00/Conference/Finance/Legal/Book_of_Discipline.pdf