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
IV. The Office of Licensed Ministers
A. Description of the Office. Authorization
for representative ministry in specific situations and with
periodic review is conferred by the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ) upon men and women whom it inducts into the office
of licensed minister. By the act of licensing, the church recognizes
that licensed persons, in fulfilling their calling as servants
of God, possess 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; promises to undergird that
ministry; and grants authority to perform that ministry in the
prescribed area of responsibility as a representative of the
church. (State/provincial laws may vary in their recognition
of license. The granting of license does not, therefore, necessarily
meet all legal requirements for the performance of marriages
or other legal functions.)
In accepting this license, licensed ministers affirm their
vocation to obey God by caring for the church, offer gifts of
mind and body to that service, and agree to fulfill the functions
of a minister appropriate to the prescribed area of responsibility.
B. Authority to license on behalf of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ). Within these policies and
criteria as established by the General Assembly of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ), the regions and their related
congregations share responsibility for licensing. Specifically
assigned to the regions is the responsibility to establish procedures
to evaluate candidates, care for their nurture, define their
prescribed area of responsibility, authorize licensing and supervise
the act of licensing.
C. Classifications within the Office of Licensed
Minister. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) recognizes
classifications within the office of licensed minister, each
of which carries its own title and limitations.
- The Licensed Congregational Minister
a. Men and women who are Licensed Congregational Ministers
are authorized to perform representative ministerial functions
in a congregation, under the oversight of the Region of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) granting the license.
b. The geographical area within which the Licensed Congregational
Minister may function, and the term of service, are stated
on the license.
c. The Licensed Congregational Minister typically serves in
such roles as an organizer and guide for worship; a proclaimer
of the Gospel; a leader in ministries of intercession and
reconciliation; a minister of the Eucharistic bread and wine;
a servant in pastoral care - especially among the ill, shut-in
and bereaved; a leader in mission and public witness; a partner
in congregational governance and oversight; and an embodiment
of the unity of Christ's church.
d. Licensed Congregational Ministers commit themselves to
on-going education and equipment for ministry, and are accountable
to the licensing Region for a program of continual formation
for ministry.
- The Licensed Student Minister covenants to support the commitments
of the ministry to which they are called, and promises to
enhance denominational connections to the best of their ability.
- The Licensed Commissioned Minister
a. Men and women who are Licensed Commissioned Ministers are
authorized to perform specialized functions as stated in the
license. These functions ordinarily will be ministerial in
purpose, although under some circumstances, the work authorized
by the license may be of some other type.
b. The term of service for the Licensed Commissioned Minister
is stated on the license and is determined by the candidate's
vocational intention, the kind of service authorized, and
the recommendation of the Region granting the license.
c. The designation Licensed Commissioned Minister authenticates
a variety of ministries as being within the purview of the
church's mission and allows the Regional church latitude for
creativity and imagination in endorsing and certifying the
fresh work of God's Holy Spirit in our midst. Among others,
these ministries may include Christian education, music, youth
ministry, parish nursing, congregationally-based or non-congregationally-based
community ministries of justice and reconciliation, where
Regional nurture and certification are deemed appropriate.
d. The Licensed Commissioned Minister covenants to support
the commitments of the ministry to which they are called,
and promises to serve as a faithful representative of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
D. The Act of Licensing
- The act of licensing shall be under the authorization and
guidance of the region.
- The candidate shall ordinarily be recommended for licensing
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 licensing.
- The service shall ordinarily take place in the congregation.
- The certificate of licensing 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. Licensed ministers with standing are voting
members of the General Assembly of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ).
Section 5 >
