Forms of Ministry in the United Church of Christ
There are three forms of authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ: commissioned ministry, licensed ministry and ordained ministry.
An ordained minister is authorized by an Association (or a Conference acting as an Association) of the United Church of Christ to preach and teach the gospel, to administer the sacraments and rites of the church, and to exercise pastoral care and leadership. An ordained minister is a representative minister of the United Church of Christ and is in covenant with the local church where (s)he holds UCC membership, the calling body where (s)he is engaged in ministry, and the Association acting on behalf of the United Church of Christ. Once granted, ordained standing is ongoing and transferable to another Association; standing is always subject to review and requires a mindful relationship between the clergyperson, Association (or Conference Acting as an Association) and ministry setting. The Ordained Minister’s Code not only guides a clergyperson’s behavior in ministry but also provides an assessment tool for ongoing discernment and growth.
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A licensed minister is authorized by an Association of the United Church of Christ “to perform specific duties in a designated local church or within that Association, mainly preaching and conducting services of worship for a designated time.” (UCC Bylaws) Licensed ministry is frequently authorized, for example, when a local church needs pastoral and sacramental leadership but an ordained minister is not available. The Association, in consultation with the local church requesting a person’s licensure, determines the specific duties and length of time for which the license is granted. A license is not transferable to another ministry setting or Association.
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A commissioned minister is authorized by an Association of the United Church of Christ to perform “specific church-related ministry which is recognized by that Association but does not require ordination or licensure.” (UCC Bylaws) Typically, commissioned ministers do not perform sacramental ministry but are engaged in ministries (e.g. education, music, nursing) that the denomination values as part of its mission and ministry. Commissioning is dependent upon a recognized call to an organized body. A commissioned minister is a representative minister in the United Church of Christ, and one’s commission is transferable to another Association when there is a new call within the same “specific church-related ministry.”
An ordained minister is authorized by an Association (or a Conference acting as an Association) of the United Church of Christ to preach and teach the gospel, to administer the sacraments and rites of the church, and to exercise pastoral care and leadership. An ordained minister is a representative minister of the United Church of Christ and is in covenant with the local church where (s)he holds UCC membership, the calling body where (s)he is engaged in ministry, and the Association acting on behalf of the United Church of Christ. Once granted, ordained standing is ongoing and transferable to another Association; standing is always subject to review and requires a mindful relationship between the clergyperson, Association (or Conference Acting as an Association) and ministry setting. The Ordained Minister’s Code not only guides a clergyperson’s behavior in ministry but also provides an assessment tool for ongoing discernment and growth.
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A licensed minister is authorized by an Association of the United Church of Christ “to perform specific duties in a designated local church or within that Association, mainly preaching and conducting services of worship for a designated time.” (UCC Bylaws) Licensed ministry is frequently authorized, for example, when a local church needs pastoral and sacramental leadership but an ordained minister is not available. The Association, in consultation with the local church requesting a person’s licensure, determines the specific duties and length of time for which the license is granted. A license is not transferable to another ministry setting or Association.
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A commissioned minister is authorized by an Association of the United Church of Christ to perform “specific church-related ministry which is recognized by that Association but does not require ordination or licensure.” (UCC Bylaws) Typically, commissioned ministers do not perform sacramental ministry but are engaged in ministries (e.g. education, music, nursing) that the denomination values as part of its mission and ministry. Commissioning is dependent upon a recognized call to an organized body. A commissioned minister is a representative minister in the United Church of Christ, and one’s commission is transferable to another Association when there is a new call within the same “specific church-related ministry.”
Ordained Ministry Process (MID Process)
Someone seeking to be ordained in the United Church of Christ, who is not ordained in another denomination, will go through the Member in Discernment process. To begin this process, fill out this application and reach out to Rev. Davy Fosburgh for a conversation. You can read an overview of the process here.
Seeking Recognition of Ordination in the United Church of Christ
If you are ordained in another denomination, and would like to either move your credentials to the United Church of Christ, or gain UCC credentials while serving in the UCC, there are a couple of different paths.
The Privilege of Call Process is a process in which a minister surrenders their credentials in their originating denomination in favor of holding UCC credentials. At the completion of the process, a minister would be an Ordained Minister in the United Church of Christ. A minister wishing to move their ordination to the UCC will meet with the Commission on Ministry, submit a number of documents, including letters of reference, ordination certificate, documentation for original denomination as well as writings around the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers. You can read an overview of the process here. Please reach out to Rev. Davy Fosburgh for more information about the process and to begin. Ministers in the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries follow a process similar to Privilege of Call, but a little different. Please reach out to begin the conversation.
Dual Standing is the process for receiving credentials with the United Church of Christ while you are serving in a United Church of Christ context. The minister retains their original credentials and add UCC credentials while they are serving. Once their time with a local congregation is complete, their UCC credentials end. A minister can apply again if they serve in another UCC congregation, but the status does not transfer. Please reach out to Rev. Davy Fosburgh for more details or to begin the process as the process is a little different depending on what denomination someone is coming from.
Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing is a special form of Dual standing that ministers from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Canada are eligible for. It is different from Dual Standing as a minister with Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing is eligible to circulate a profile within the UCC Ministerial Profiles System. Please reach out to Rev. Davy Fosburgh if you are interested in this process.
The Privilege of Call Process is a process in which a minister surrenders their credentials in their originating denomination in favor of holding UCC credentials. At the completion of the process, a minister would be an Ordained Minister in the United Church of Christ. A minister wishing to move their ordination to the UCC will meet with the Commission on Ministry, submit a number of documents, including letters of reference, ordination certificate, documentation for original denomination as well as writings around the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers. You can read an overview of the process here. Please reach out to Rev. Davy Fosburgh for more information about the process and to begin. Ministers in the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries follow a process similar to Privilege of Call, but a little different. Please reach out to begin the conversation.
Dual Standing is the process for receiving credentials with the United Church of Christ while you are serving in a United Church of Christ context. The minister retains their original credentials and add UCC credentials while they are serving. Once their time with a local congregation is complete, their UCC credentials end. A minister can apply again if they serve in another UCC congregation, but the status does not transfer. Please reach out to Rev. Davy Fosburgh for more details or to begin the process as the process is a little different depending on what denomination someone is coming from.
Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing is a special form of Dual standing that ministers from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Canada are eligible for. It is different from Dual Standing as a minister with Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing is eligible to circulate a profile within the UCC Ministerial Profiles System. Please reach out to Rev. Davy Fosburgh if you are interested in this process.
Scholarships for Preparing for Ministry in the Southeast Conference
The Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ offers a scholarship for those preparing for Authorized Ministry in the UCC. Members in Discernment, Licensed Ministers, Ministers in process for Privilege of Call, Dual Standing, and Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing are all eligible to apply. Funds can be used for Clinical Pastoral Education, Seminary, Regional Theological Education programs (like Pathways), and UCC History and Polity Courses. The students financial need is taken into account when granting scholarships. Applications are granted on a rolling basis.
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