The role of an Associate Pastor

Upon discussing the roles and responsibilities of an Associate Pastor in The Church of God, I overheard some misunderstandings . The role of an associate pastor, rare though it is in The Church of God, is a local church appointment made by the Pastor to assist him or her in the work of the local church.  For example: to preach when the pastor cannot fill the pulpit due to being away, being sick or on a occasional basis,  also visiting the membership and the sick when the pastor is unable to do so.

An associate pastor is usually appointed in larger congregations when the work gets to be more than one person can handle.  Such cases normally involve the older pastor training a younger minister while benefiting from their energy and youth, or a younger pastor receiving the help and assistance of the more seasoned elder, probably retired, minister.

An associate pastor is not appointed by the State Overseer and as such does not have the authority of the appointed pastor. Since this position is a local appointment, the authority would be the same as any other local leadership such as an auxiliary leader. Their role is to simply to be the  pastor's assistant.

When a member has an issue in the local church they are instructed by the church to go to their ABM leader, then to the pastor, then to the district Overseer, and so on up the chain of command. Since the role of an associate pastor is not officially recognized by the church, being that it is an extra role that is appointed on an as-needed basis, it would not be included in that chain of command unless the associate pastor simultaneously filled the role of an ABM leader.  The associate pastor's responsibilities do not supersede the responsibilities and duties of the appointed  pastor or ordained deacons and bishops in the congregation.