Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook
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 provided 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 fa- cility, 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, prefer- ably in the month of January in accordance with guidelines established 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 evalu- ation report at Charge Conference. The test results must be produced by a bona fide test facility, preferable used or referred to by the Health Depart- ment 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 pur- chase or rent his/her own home, a housing allowance shall be provided which shall be adequate for the residence to meet the Annual Confer- ence 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 Par- ish Relations Committee and the District Superintendent at the time of consultation prior to appointment. The housing provisions shall be approved by the Cabinet. d) Any exceptions to these provisions shall be negotiated and approved by the pastor, the District Superintendent and the Staff/Pastor-Parish Rela- tions Committee. e) When a pastor is paid a housing allowance, the amount of the housing allowance shall be reviewed annually by the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee for adequacy to the cost of housing in the prevailing local market. This review and any adjustments made to the housing allow- ance shall be recorded annually at charge conferences. D. Safe Sanctuaries: Each local church of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference is strongly urged to: 1. Develop and implement an ongoing education plan on the reality of child abuse, risk factors leading to child abuse, and strategies for prevention. 2. Adopt screening procedures (use of application forms, interviews, reference checks, background clearance, etc.) for workers (paid and unpaid) directly involved in the care of children and youth. 3. Develop and implement safety procedures for church activities such as having two or more non-related adults present in classrooms or activity; leaving doors open or installing half doors or windows in doors or halls; providing hall monitors; instituting sign in and sign out procedures for children ages 10 or younger, etc. 4. Advise children and young persons of an agency or a person outside as well as within a local church whom they can contact for advice and help if they
Standing Rules 347
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