Ministry Resources
Policies and Criteria for the Order of Ministry
Winter 2003
Section I: Ministry in the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Section II: Candidacy for
the Order of Ministry
Section III: The Office of
Ordained Minister
Section IV: The Office of
Licensed Minister
Section V: Ministerial Standing
Section VI: Ministerial Search
and Call
Section VII: Sexual Misconduct
Section VIII: Amendment Process
III. The Office of Ordained Minister
A. Description of the Office. The broadest
authorization for representative ministry granted by the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) is conferred upon men and women
whom it inducts into the office of ordained minister. By ordination
the church recognizes that ordained persons, in fulfilling their
calling as servants of Christ, possess the abilities, qualities
and preparation needed for the performance of their assigned
functions, accepts their ministry in and for the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) and for the whole body of Christ, covenants
to undergird the ministry, and grants authority to perform that
ministry as a representative of the church.
In accepting ordination, the ordained minister covenants to
obey God by caring for the church, offering gifts of mind and
body to that service, and agreeing to fulfill the functions
of a minister.
B. Authorization to Ordain on Behalf of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Within these policies
and criteria, established by the General Assembly of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ), the regions and their related
congregations share responsibility for ordination. Specifically
assigned to the regions is the responsibility to establish procedures
to evaluate applicants, admit them to candidacy, care for their
nurture, authorize ordination, and supervise the act of ordination.
C. Theological and professional study in
preparation for ordination ordinarily includes the securing
of a baccalaureate degree and the completion of a seminary program
of study.
D. The Act of Ordination
- The act of ordination shall be under the authorization and
guidance of the region.
- The candidate ordinarily shall be recommended for ordination
by a recognized congregation or congregations of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ), including the one in which membership
is held.
- Representatives of the recommending congregation or congregations,
the region, and, if possible, the general and ecumenical church
ordinarily shall participate in the act of ordination.
- The service ordinarily shall take place in the congregation.
- The certificate of ordination shall be issued by the region
and signed by appropriate officials of the church and participants
in the ceremony.
E. The Right of Appeal. Applicants and candidates
shall have the right of appeal to the General Commission on
Ministry within one year of the decision or after prolonged
inaction of the region.
F. Ordained ministers with standing are voting
members of the General Assembly of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ).
Section 4 >
