“L’Association des Pasteurs de France” (APF) is a professional union representing the 2400 pastors registered with the churches and movements of the French Protestant Federation. Founded in 1920, the association organises annually a national pastors’ conference, and the publication of a journal, “Cahiers” and a circular letter, “Lettres”. It has also created a retirement home for pastors. The APF seeks to improve pastors’ social, economic and moral wellbeing. It seeks to serve their general and professional interests by acting independently whilst remaining in fellowship with the various French and European protestant institutions.
This general introduction can be defined by the following terms:
The APF is an association.
As an association, the APF is a non profit making organisation regrouping persons united by a common project. Its members participate on a voluntary and unpaid basis.
The APF is an association of French pastors.
The APF is an association specifically for pastors. It exists by and for pastors belonging to the various churches and denominations, members of the French Protestant Federation. These pastors may be of French or foreign nationality, serving in parishes or as chaplains in France or abroad.
The APF is a professional union for pastors.
As a professional union, the APF seeks to defend the common professional interests of its members. Its statutes indicate that the association deals with all matters concerning the general and professional interests of its members.
2400 pastors belong to the Churches and Movements of the French Protestant Federation (FPF).
All the enrolled pastors and ministers of FPF member churches and movements are members of the APF. There are about 1600 pastors, men and women, and 800 retired pastors registered. The majority are in parish or local church ministry. The rest work in the various chaplaincy services (Army, Prison, or Hospital) or in church supported charitable organisations. All these people should receive the publications “Cahiers de l’APF” (“APF Notebooks”) and “Lettres de l’APF” (“APF Letters”).
The APF created in 1920.
As for the creation of the French Protestant Federation in 1905, favoured by the new disestablishment laws, the APF was also created in a specific ecclesial, social and legal context. The federative movement generated by the creation of the FPF opened the way. Then the 1st World War had an impact on a generation of pastors who sought to show a greater solidarity with their fellows. This new initiative was part of the inventiveness and dynamism of the post-war period. The 1920 law extending the civil capacity of professional unions also favoured APF’s creation.
National pastors’ conferences.
The APF organises a national pastors’ conference every year. This generally takes place in March, alternatively in Paris or a regional venue. On average forty pastors from all over France attend. The conference starts on Sunday evening and ends at Tuesday lunchtime. Sunday evening is given over to personal news and fellowship, Monday to reflexion on a given topic and Tuesday morning to the Annual General Meeting, concluded by a time of worship.
“Cahiers de l’APF” (“APF Notebooks”).
The journal “Cahiers” is published annually. It contains the various lectures given at the national conference, news of the association and general useful information for pastors. “Cahiers” is sent by post to all the enrolled pastors and ministers of the member churches and movements of the French Protestant Federation.
“Lettres de l’APF” (“APF Letters”).
The circular “Lettres” is published a few months before the national conference. It gives information about the coming conference and a registration form. “Lettres” is sent by post to all the enrolled pastors and ministers of the member churches and movements of the French Protestant Federation.
The APF retirement home.
Pastors are sometimes confronted by material difficulties when they retire. Living in vicarage or manse accommodation, they are often not property owners. The APF has created a retirement home “Le châtelet”. Located at Meudon (Hauts-de- Seine), the building was inaugurated in 1964. A special place amongst the various residents is reserved for pastors and church employees.
Pastors’ moral wellbeing.
Pastors proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have Good News to announce, but this does not protect them from stress and pressure that may jeopardise their morale or wellbeing. Their psychological and mental resources are often over-stretched and they may need particular support or general encouragement.
Pastors’ social situation.
Pastors have a specific task to fulfil but are fully involved in society. They work in parishes, local churches, in chaplaincy services or in charitable organisations. They intervene in community life and live with their family in the community. They are often at the crossroads of many different sorts of human relationships. Their ecclesial and public role is “classical”, but it is also always evolving with changes in society.
Pastors’ economical situation.
Pastors receive a salary in due form. They often live with their families in church-owned accommodation. Depending on the church denomination, certain living expenses are reimbursed. The French legal, social security and tax system provide a guaranteed minimum and regulate the way churches, their “employers”, draw up and manage their salary.
Improving pastors’ situations.
The APF is concerned by pastors’ general “good spirits” and morale and looks out for signs warning of crisis situations. It regularly considers questions concerning the status and role of pastors in their living and working environments. It supports the various procedures aiming to improve pastors’ material wellbeing.
Pastors’ general interests.
This wide definition allows the APF to consider all the questions that confront pastors. Personal, family and social life is often complicated and unexpected difficulties may arise. French society is rapidly evolving and whilst often pastors are ahead of their times, sometimes they become victims of social changes.
Pastors’ professional interests.
In order to accomplish their ministry according to their calling but also in step with Church and Society, pastors feel the need to re-evaluate constantly their role and their working methods. It is important to remain vigilant so that social, economic, legal or tax system changes do not lead to deterioration in pastors’ working conditions.
The APF seeks to serve pastors needs.
Entirely and exclusively given over to the cause of pastors in France, the APF takes into consideration all appeals for help it receives from pastors. It will try to find the best solution to the problems brought to its attention. If the APF’s competences are insufficient in a particular case, it will seek the help of other qualified bodies so that the needs of pastors are met in the best way possible.
The action of the APF.
The administrative council meets several times a year. It organises the national conferences and is responsible for the association’s publications. It pursues the ongoing affairs and seeks to cultivate relationships with other organisations. Collectively, the council reflects on the current situation of pastors. If necessary, it will invite an “expert” in the subject being debated or a representative of an organisation specialising in the field of enquiry. The administrative council may intervene in the name of the APF confidentially or publically.
The APF is independent.
Although always seeking to operate in fellowship with the various church and institutional authorities, the APF maintains its independence. It is financially autonomous and does not give account for its work to any other financial or economic authority. It is independent of all other trade or professional union or political groups. It does not submit to pressure groups – even those formed by pastors.
In fellowship with protestant institutions.
The APF does not operate in a distrustful or partisan way. Its does not see its role as defending its members’ interests against those of the “management” in a selfish or profiteering way. The APF sees itself as a partner of the institutional bodies in a common desire to preserve and improve pastors’ working conditions. It seeks to encourage the institutions and authorities in their efforts to act in this direction.
In France and in Europe.
The APF works essentially in France. However, by its links with the European Conference of Pastors’ associations (KEP), it is involved by delegation and representation in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece. These Mediterranean countries are characterised by their very small protestant minorities.