Because the minister is a key to the development of strong local congregations within the General Conference,

Because pastors, District ministerial committees, and Conference ministers have expressed a deep concern for the needs of the pastor as a person,

Because our Lord is gifting persons in every congregation as pastors and teachers to equip God's people for work in His service; and since a variety of models of pastoral leadership are held by persons and congregations; and the call of pastoral leadership is not only a function of the colleges, the seminary, and Conference staff;

We recommend the following to the General Conference, to be acted upon at its sessions held in Bluffton, Ohio, July 28 to August 3, 1977:

1. That every congregation take responsibility for identifying and calling out persons with gifts for pastoral leadership and that this be made an important and ongoing function of its life and ministry;
2. That every congregation consider calling one or more persons from its number for the pastoral leadership during this triennium.
3. That every congregation make use of college, seminary and Conference staff and programs for the training of its ministers;
4. That every pastor be encouraged to involve persons in "apprentice" experience in ministry.

Further, be it resolved

5. That the General Conference place the care of pastors on a higher priority and that this be reflected in the budget for Ministerial Leadership Services designated for support systems and the calling forth and growth of ministers.
6. That the budget for "Get Acquainted Seminars" at Newton, Kansas, for new pastors be increased so that spouses can join in this experience.
7. That funds be appropriated for marriage enrichment retreats to give attention to the needs of the pastor and spouse.
8. That funds be either budgeted, or raised for an endowment, to guarantee a minimum retirement income for every pastor in line with the Commission on Overseas Mission and the Commission on Home Ministries retirement annual income agreement ($6,000 for a couple and $4,000 for singles, including Social Security or insurance and pension).
9. That we work towards an adequate base salary for pastors plus housing and business expenses with annual cost of living adjustments and increments for years of service.

The above resolutions draw together concerns of the General Conference Committee on the Ministry, District Ministerial committees of the Northern, Central, Western, and Pacific District and endorsement of the following Conference ministers: Elbert Koontz, Western District; Bernie Loeppky, Northern District; Stanley Bohn, Central District; Elmer R. Friesen, Pacific District (North); Floyd Quenzer, Pacific District (South); and Henry V. Friesen, Saskatchewan.

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