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STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE (SPRC)

SPRC is the Human Resource Department of the church. This committee is responsible to work with and on-behalf of the Pastor and other church staff. Closed meetings occur on a monthly basis. Exceptions can be made by special invitation from the SPRC.

Our responsibilities include: Staffing, Listening to the needs of the church, Interviewing, hiring, & firing assistance, Supporting clergy and staff, Job descriptions, Gathering feedback on performance, Salary, Benefits, Vacations, Leaves, Continuing education, Personnel policies, and procedures, Provide information and advice to the conference regarding pastoral needs, Lay speakers and candidates for ministry, Housing allowances, Appointment process, Retirement benefits, Church profile updates, Conflict resolution, etc...

Our decision making process includes: Using established policies in place, Legal requirements, Moral considerations, Staff and Clergy involvement, Information from the congregation, Performance evaluation process, Covenant we have taken to follow the United Methodist Discipline and respect for confidential information.

Volunteers: All of your SPRC members are volunteers and spend a considerable amount of their time to keep things going as smoothly as possible. Unfortunately, there is never enough time to accomplish everything the way we would like. The volunteers are on a 3 year term-limit appointment, and the committee is limited to a maximum of 9 volunteers. If you feel the desire to serve your church on this committee please let one of us know, or the pastor, or your lay leadership committee to be considered for the next available opening.

If anyone has any questions, concerns, positive or negative constructive feedback, or suggestions, please contact a SPRC member (listed below).

SPRC Announces Our New Pastor

SPRC is very excited to introduce you to our new Pastor, Reverend William (Bill) Bills. Pastor Bill comes to us with a Masters of Divinity degree from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. He started his career in 1988 as the Pastor of the Burr Oak United Methodist Church. After a three year appointment, he was appointed to the Marshall United Methodist Church as Associate Pastor. In 1994, he was appointed to both the Martin and Shelbyville United Methodist Church. Pastor Bill was the former President and Co-Founder of the Allegan County Habitat for Humanity as well as a role in the West Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. Pastor Bill also served in our Navy from 1977, active duty, and left in 1991 as part of the U.S. Navy Reserve Chaplain Corps.

Julie his wife has a Bachelor and Master's degree in Christian Education and a Masters degree in the Old Testament. Julie and Pastor Bill have been married for almost 15 years are shown in the picture with two of their children, Caleb, 12 and Nathanael, 9.

Pastor Bill will join us in the beginning of July. He also wanted to make sure that I tell you that he is the one holding the popcorn in the picture.

Pastor Appointment Process

Download the Pastor Appointment Process.pdf.

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2007 SPRC Task Teams

Things have been extremely busy for the past six months and it will be even busier in the upcoming months. In order to accommodate the extra work-load, the SPRC members have broken up into task teams. There are many other regular duties that we have to take care of during the year in addition to these. Depending on the specific task or project we are working on, and its level of confidentiality, we will be seeking volunteers from time to time to join us in completing some projects. Below are the Task Teams for 2007 and who will be leading them. Please direct any questions or comments you have to the proper SPRC member(s).

  • Personnel Team (&). This team will create, update, and/or maintain things such as: Job Descriptions, Employee Handbook, Personnel Files, Performance Reviews, Liaison Program, etc...
  • Music Team (&). This team will work with the music staff to successfully transition in the contemporary worship service coordinator
  • Pastor Transition, Bill (,, &). This team will work with the congregation to help Pastor Bill relocate, meet the congregation and staff, learn about the church and all we do.
  • Communications Team (&). This team will work on methods to make communication more prevalent from the SPRC and make it easier for you to communicate with the SPRC.

Staff Parish Relations Committee E-mail:

Chairperson

Vice Chairperson