Principles for a Deacon’s Letter of Agreement

1) Beginning December 1, 2005, all deacons must have a signed letter of agreement in place before announcing and/or starting a parish assignment. Click here to view or download the PDF template for such a letter.

2) If this template is not followed, the letter must include the following points:

a) it is a tripartite agreement among the deacon, the supervising rector, and the bishop;

b) the vestry may attest to the agreement for purposes of agreeing to any financial arrangements;

c) it must specify what the deacon’s ministry will be;

d) it must specify time parameters (approximate hours per week, time off);

e) it must specify how the deacon is compensated for his/her work in the parish, and include what other support the parish and rector will provide (e.g., staff meetings);

f) it must state that the letter of agreement will end with the tenure of the current rector, or upon the call of the bishop.

3) A signed copy shall be sent to the Diocese of New Jersey for the files.

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