Covenant Agreement

Walnut Hills Baptist Church Williamsburg, Virginia enters into covenant with Dr. William Powell Tuck to provide pastoral leadership for the period beginning July 11, 2004 and ending June 30, 2005. During this period, Dr. Tuck will be in Williamsburg Saturday night through Wednesday night each week. An additional day will be spent while away from Williamsburg in preparation for the sermon and worship services.

Goals for the Intentional Interim Pastor

• To provide worship experiences for the congregation, and practice ministry within the church and community.
• To develop a Transition Team that will lead the church through a self-study that focuses upon the five developmental tasks of an interim period: Coming to terms with history, Examining leadership and decision-making concerns; Affirming denominational linkage; Clarifying the congregation's Identity; and a Commitment to New Clergy leadership and the future.
• To interpret clearly the self-study for the church in order to facilitate the work of the Pastoral Search Committee.
• To experience anew and to practice the "Good News" of love, healing, and reconciliation within the caring community.
• To seek ways of motivating members to be active in all aspects of church life.
• To prepare the church for the calling of a new pastor.

Pastoral Commitment

The Interim Pastor will provide pastoral leadership in the following ways:

• Prepare for and lead the services of worship, including the celebration of the ordinances of the church.
• Train a Transitional Team that will lead the congregation through the activities required for addressing the five developmental tasks of the interim period.
• Lead Wednesday evening prayer services.
• Provide counseling as needed for members and families.
• Officiate at weddings, funerals, and baptisms, as needed.
• Visit members in the hospital.
• Visit homebound members.
• Visit new members and prospective members.
• Perform administrative duties related to office, staff, and property that are necessary in coordinating the life and ministry of the church.
• Coordinate the church staff.
• Attend council meetings, deacons meetings, business meetings and other meetings, as needed.
• Be available as a resource person for church groups, as needed.
• Work with the church Personnel Committee regarding the Administrative Policies Manual.

Responsibilities of the Church Staff

• Continue present ministry workload.
• Assist in visitation, as needed.
• Assist in transition process, as needed.
• Support the Interim Pastor.

Responsibilities of the Congregation

• Continue to be active in worship.
• Be faithful in Bible Study
• Attend congregational meetings.
• Support and be an active participant in the transitional process.
• Fill out questionnaires/surveys when requested.
• Be faithful in stewardship of time and money.

Responsibilities of Key Church Committees

• Be supportive of Interim Pastor and staff.
• Be informed and supportive of transitional process.
• Commit yourself to the interim process.
• Participate in necessary ministries as called upon.
• Seek to get other members involved during the interim period.

Responsibilities of the Personnel Committee

• Determine the salary and benefits for the Interim Pastor.
• Negotiate with the Interim on the above.
• Enter into Covenant with the Interim Pastor.
• Provide oversight and evaluate the ministry of the Interim Pastor.

Additional Agreements

• It is agreed that the Intentional Interim Pastor will not be a candidate for the permanent pastoral position.
• The Intentional Interim Pastor will be entitled to one month of paid vacation per year.
• The Intentional Interim Pastor shall receive two weeks paid leave for attending conventions and conferences each year. Leave time for these events shall not exceed two Sundays. The following conventions and conferences are planned during the next year: Baptist World Centenary Congress, July 27-31, 2005 and the National Cooperative Fellowship Meeting, June 2005.
• Provided that at least a 30-day written notice is given, either the Interim Pastor or the church can void this agreement.
• If necessary, this agreement can be extended for 30-day periods, for a limited period of time.