What percentage of a congregational vote is acceptable for a 'call'

[Jed777]

Need real help and advice on this one. Although many churches place a minimum requirement of 75% of a congregational vote in calling a new pastor, it strikes me that the potential minister should be aiming for quite a bit higher than that (in order to avoid splits in the body of the church).

That being said, what percentage do people feel is the real 'minimum'....80? 90? or does it have to even be 100 to e comfortable.

Any examples?

Many thanks for any help (which I need quite quickly, sorry) in this matter.

 

[Wolvrin704]

It depends on the church or denomination rules concerning a pastoral vote. If there are no rules I would be very concerned. That being said over 75% should be acceptable, 100% will never happen.

 

[Jed777]

Many thanks. I was working out the 'acceptability' (or otherwise) of a vote of 83% (the requirement was 75%). However I initially felt that 17% of the congregation being against was quite significant.

 

[pastorkevin73]

I believe that a vote to call a pastor is not a good thing. For a few reasons:
1) In every congregation there are members who are very immature spiritually.
2) There is a possibilty that some members may not actually be a Christian.
3) A vote does not allow the spiritual leaders of the church to actually lead.

It is best if the elder or deacons board (depending on the church situation) decide on who to call to be the pastor. In this case the board should be 100% in agreement.

With that said, if the church is a congregational governance then I would say that it should be at least 75% for a calling, with no other vote in the future to extend or terminate the pastor. Termination of a pastor should only happen if the pastor has had a moral failure or broken the law (ie. financial abuse).