Basic Reimbursement Guidelines

For approval, you will first need to fill out a Professional Enrichment Request to Attend/Purchase form (PDF) prior to attending an event or making a purchase for which you want reimbursement.***  Once you have attended the event or made the purchase, please fill out the Professional Enrichment Expense Report (PDF) and return it to the Ministerial department, along with your receipts.100% reimbursement—up to a *maximum of $500—based on:

• Full registration/tuition fee
• Travel: Use the least costly amount, either air fare or mileage driven. Most economical air fare or 44¢ per mile driven.
• Lodging: 7 nights maximum
• Per diem: Current rate is $56 for full day (2+ meals per day); $28 for 1⁄2 day (1 meal per day)

Approval for any event is based on available funds—first applications are considered first until funds are depleted.

A candidate will be given up to one week per year to attend classes. Any additional time must be taken as vacation time.

Procedures

1. Pastor sends Professional Enrichment Request to Attend/Purchase form to the Ministerial director for approval.
2. After pastor has attended/purchased, he/she submits the Professional Enrichment Expense Report (PDF), along with receipts, to the Ministerial director for reimbursement authorization.
3. Unusual requests may be submitted to AdCo when needed.

Individuals who wish to begin a degree program may obtain a copy of the Guidelines for Advanced Study from the Ministerial office.  Permission to enroll in an advanced degree program must be obtained from the Administrative Council (AdCo) in advance of enrollment.

***No restrictions will be placed on what Professional Enrichment funds may be used for, provided it is "Approved" by the Ministerial director* as professionally benefitting/enriching to the pastor's ministry experience and effectiveness.  Professional Enrichment funds could be used to purchase technology (computers/tablets/smart phones), software, media, as well as for costs associated with attending seminars or taking online classes.

You also have the option of taking up to three (3) days for a personal (solo) spiritual prayer and study retreat. A $40 allowance may be used to assist you in meeting some of the costs you may incur. Application must be made in advance on the Professional Enrichment Request to Attend/Purchase form. Once your retreat is completed, please report it on the Professional Enrichment Expense Report as per instructions, sharing where you went and how the time away was spent. No reimbursement for mileage or per diem will be provided. Receipts for lodging should be submitted.