A church may not dismiss a deacon without prior consultation between the deacon and the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, nor without full knowledge of the district superintendent and bishop (¶ 331.10.e). It follows that a church ought not to change the job descriptions, covenants, compensation or total hours of the deacon without prior consultation with the deacon and with the district superintendent. Dismissal can be recommended by the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, but an appointment change can be carried out only by the bishop and the bishop’s cabinet (¶ 258.2.g.11). If the Staff-Parish Relations Committee plans to discuss continued appointment of the deacon, it must inform the deacon in advance (¶ 258.2.e). The deacon shall be given a minimum notice of 90 days before final termination (¶ 331.10.e). (Paragraph references are from the 2016 Book of Discipline.)