Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook
be paid by each local church, on a basis determined by the Charge Conference. 4. Long-term Property Stewardship a) The church/charge shall be good stewards of the property entrusted to them by providing an annual budget sufficient to provide for quality long-term maintenance. b) When a pastoral change takes place, the church/charge shall ensure that the parsonage is clean. 5. Testing a) Mandatory testing of the parsonage water supply, regardless of source, should be conducted annually. This testing shall be at the church/ charge expense. If a public water source is used, their testing results may be utilized, as long as the testing laboratory meets USEPA-certi- fication standards for organic and inorganic chemicals and includes nitrogen and bacteria testing in accordance with the guidelines estab- lished by the Division of Environmental Health of the Illinois Depart- ment of Public Health. A copy of the testing results must be attached to the report, regardless of whether it is from a public water company or independent testing of a parsonage well. b) If the water is not suitable for human consumption, a sufficient water filtering and purifying system will be installed to make the provid- ed water consumable, or consumable water must be supplied to the pastor and his/her family. c) At the time of the Charge Conference, a written report, made by the test facility, will be attached to the parsonage report to be compliant with this rule. d) Every parsonage will be tested for the presence of radon every year, preferably in the month of January in accordance with guidelines es- tablished by the Radon Program of the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety. A report regarding the results of the testing will be attached to the parsonage evaluation report at Charge Conference. The test results must be produced by a bona fide test facility, preferable used or referred to by the Health Department in the area where the parsonage is located, to be compliant with the rule of radon testing as mentioned on the parsonage evaluation form. 6. Housing Allowance: a) Local churches/charges are encouraged to provide parsonages for their pastor’s housing. However, when, out of necessity, a pastor must purchase or rent his/her own home, a housing allowance shall be pro- vided which shall be adequate for the residence to meet the Annual Conference standards for a parsonage home. b) Local churches/charges may rent/lease a home for the parsonage. The rented/leased parsonage shall meet the Annual Conference standards for a parsonage home. c) The housing provisions shall be clearly defined by the Staff/Pastor
116 Legislative Items
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