PACIFICNORTHWESTCONFERENCE
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
Name______
Church______
Type of Ministry______
Reference check by the Conference Minister is needed for non-UCC candidate
To be provided by the local church:
The person’s letter of application, including the specific type of church-related ministry for which the
person desires to be commissioned.
Verification of local UCC church membership______
A description of the process used by the local church in interviewing and recommending theapplicant.
A statement about the person’s Christian pilgrimage, biography, how the call to ministry in the
United Church of Christ is understood at this time, the type of ministry envisioned, and future
educational plans (presented to the home church and revised by the applicant, if necessary)
A copy of the Letter of Call, position description, salary & benefits package, if received.
Psychological Evaluation Completed (please check with conference office about this process)
To be provided by the applicant:
Signed Statement of Consent Form.
Three or more letters of reference, including one from the local church pastor
Documentation of formal education completed to date.
______
______
______
A summary of previously held positions
Interview scheduled for:______
Local church rep(s) at interview:______
______
Action:______
X = Materialreceived= Not received --= Waived
= Materials to be sent to committee members in preparation for the interview.:aeh 7/2012
PACIFICNORTHWESTCONFERENCE
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
Name______
Church______
Type of Ministry______
Called to______
Reference check by the Conference Minister is needed for non-UCC candidate
A description of the process used by the local church in interviewing and recommending the applicant
(If prepared for Phase 1, this need not be resubmitted.)
A commissioning paper which includes:
The candidate’s theological perspective and grasp of the historic Christian faith.
The candidate’s understanding of and commitment to the history, theological roots, polity,
and practice of the United Church of Christ.
The person’s faith pilgrimage and understanding of ministry, including a brief statement of
hopes, dreams, and goals for the specific ministry to which the person has been called.
a statement regarding ministerial ethics and use of inclusive language in ministry;
A report on education and training in the area of ministry completed, including:
Certification of educational attainments:
An undergraduate degree or its equivalent______
Specialized education and training______
Documentation of ability, skills, and knowledge for specific type of ministry for which the
candidate has been preparing.
Indication of completion of a course in UCC Polity and History.
Four letters of reference, including one from someone closely involved in the candidate’s education,
one from the candidate’s advisor/mentor, and one from the local church pastor.
A summary of previously held positions (do not resubmit if prepared for Phase 1)
A copy of the candidate’s PLL profile.
A copy of the person’s Letter of Call, including a position description, the nature of the team
relationship and why a Commissioned Minister is valued in the position, and the person’s salary
and benefits package, OR
A statement of where the candidate is in the process of seeking a call.
Interview scheduled for:______
Local church rep(s) at interview:______
Action:______
X = Materialreceived= Not received --= Waived
= Materials to be sent to committee members in preparation for the interview.:aeh 9/02
PACIFICNORTHWESTCONFERENCE
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
COMMISSIONED MINISTER INTERVIEW PROCESS
A Commissioned Minister is called to perform specific vocational, church-related ministry for which he/she has special knowledge and skills. Such areas recognized by the Pacific Northwest Conference include: Christian education; church administration; church music; parish work, such as calling, youth ministry, counseling, and lay chaplaincy; UCBWM missionary work; conference and denominational program staff work, such as stewardship education; ecumenical program staff work; ministries of advocacy or community change, and spiritual direction.
In some cases the candidate may have already completed training necessary for immediate commissioning. In such instances, the person provides materials requested for Phase 2 of the interview process, following Steps II, III, IV, and VII below.
- A local church member interested in commissioning talks with the pastor about expectations and procedures. Application to the local church governing board should include: a statement about the person’s Christian pilgrimage, biography, how the call is understood at this time, type of commissioned ministry envisioned, documentation of formal education, and education plans.
- The local church governing board interviews the member and determines whether or not to recommend to the Conference Committee on Ministry that the person be interviewed as a candidate for commissioned ministry.
- The Conference Committee on Ministry interviews with the applicant after receiving and studying all required materials. Credentials needed for the interview are listed on the Commissioned Minister Checklist and Interview Facesheet, and must be submitted to the Committee on Ministry, 325 N 125th Street, Seattle, WA 98133 (206-725-8383) ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE INTERVIEW. Responsibility and initiative in these matters resides with the applicant and the local church.
- The Committee spends approximately one hour interviewing the candidate to determine fitness, aptitudes, Christian experience and commitment as a basis for preparing for commissioned ministry. Representatives of the local church are encouraged to be present.
- The candidate is received as a candidate for commissioning, and the Committee on Ministry assigns an advisor and works with the person to outline a preparation program of education and training necessary to meet the educational and ability requirements for the type of commissioned ministry being sought. The candidate engages in the prescribed program.
- Upon completion of the program, the person submits additional materials to the Committee on Ministry and requests a final interview. (See Phase 2 Checklist).
- If commissioned status is granted, the person works with the Committee on Ministry, and the local church or calling body to plan a worship service during which the status of commissioned minister is conferred and authorization is granted to perform the duties necessary for the specific ministry. The covenantal relationship is liturgically celebrated.
:aeh 5/09