I could probably use a little narrowing of the issue :), but my first impression is that while a little expensive, eternity always makes a great gift. I usually go for the three-pack, which includes a couple of slatherables, along with some really nice smelling toilet water. (Can you imagine working in THAT factory? :) Talk about watching sausage being made.....
The eternality of the call does not excuse us from dealing with, and submitting our call and ministry to the review of, the manifestly and obviously fallible and peccable (in their own persons) folks who bear the ministry of being our pastors. Otherwise we seem to be making ourselves greater than Paul.
Sure, I have no problem with that if it's being done "through" a local church. When I taught a Sunday School class my curriculum had to get the blessing of our pastor. We discussed what reference books I was going to use, he made some great suggestions, and it was off to the races. Interestingly, that was before I became a Reformer. I'm not sure what would happen if today I wanted to teach a class on, say, Romans. My best guess would be that he would be fine with it if I gave full disclosure and maybe gave both sides of the issues on which there would be a difference.
I don't know exactly the ins and outs in the RC Church. There's probably one one-sentence rule and then 50 pages of exceptions.