Policies and Procedures for Pulpit Supply

Policies

Preachers/Exhorters
The program is open to participating students, recent graduates, and the faculty of WSC.

Participating Students
WSC students may participate in this program when they are appropriately "licensed" or approved to preach by their respective denomination/federation and complete the Student Pulpit Supply form.

Graduates
WSC graduates who are "licensed" or approved to preach by their respective denomination/federation may participate in the program for up to one year following their graduation. They should apply for the program by contacting the Dean of Students and completing the Student Pulpit Supply form.

Approved Travel Expenses
WSC will cover the following travel expenses for the preachers/exhorters of this program as required:

1. Mileage (round-trip exceeding 800 miles must be approved by the Dean of Students)
2. Car Rental: Up to Mid-size Car Type. If you do not have adequate automobile insurance on your existing policy be sure to purchase the additional insurance from the rental agency.
3. Airfare (tickets exceeding $500 must be approved by the Dean of Students)
4. Meals $40 per day (3 days maximum)
5. Hotel for two nights if required by the host church (not to exceed $250)

Procedures

Exhorter/Preacher:

1. The Student will complete the Student Pulpit Supply form. This form will confirm your consent for WSC to provide contact information to inquiring churches.
2. The Exhorter/Preacher will be contacted by the church contact regarding their request.
3. The Exhorter/Preacher will coordinate travel and schedule with the church contact person.
4. The Exhorter/Preacher will communicate the date of preaching to the Administrative Assistant.
5. For reimbursement, the Exhorter/Preacher will submit to the Dean of Students a completed check request according to the approved travel expenses list above. The check request must  be submitted with original receipts. Download check request form>>

Church:

1. The Church will complete the Pulpit Supply Request form.
2. The Administrative Assistant will communicate WSC has received the church's request.
3. The Dean of Students will coordinate a response to the inquiring church with a list of potential students and/or available faculty members (please allow 7 business days).
4. The Church is responsible to contact the Exhorter/Preacher and coordinate all related details.
5. The Exhorter/Preacher will inform the Administrative Assistant of the place and date that has been confirmed for pulpit supply.
6. The Preacher/Exhorter (not the church) will submit approved travel expenses to the Dean of Students for a signature and the business office for reimbursement.
    

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this program available to all churches? The program is offered to all churches who request, provided that we have an available student/faculty member who meets their requirements.


2. How long will the program be offered? It is currently funded through December 31, 2010 with plans to extend the offering through December 31, 2015.


3. How is the program funded? This program is made available through a special, anonymous gift from long-time friends of WSC who have been blessed by the preaching of our students and want to share the blessing with other churches.


4. Is the program intended to support all preaching engagements? The program is designed to pay for the mileage, airfare, lodging, and meals required for WSC faculty and participating students to fill the pulpit supply needs of participating churches.


5. What do we mean by "student-preachers"? This refers to all current students participating in the program; they have applied, and are usually approved to preach by their local church.


6. Can churches request faculty to preach? Yes. Our faculty are glad to preach as their schedules allow.


7. Is there a maximum amount of money that WSC is willing to spend on travel expenses? In general, our commitment is to pay for airfare (up to $500) along with related mileage, lodging, and meals. Special circumstances should be addressed with the Dean of Students.


8. Can WSC graduates looking for a call to ministry participate in the program? Yes. Graduates may participate in the program for up to one year following their graduation. They should specially apply for the program by contacting the Dean of Students.


9. Must students or faculty coordinate their preaching engagements with the Dean of Students to participate in the program? Yes. The appropriate forms and documentation must be filled out for reimbursement.