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Welcome, Ministry Candidates!

Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning for more information, we are glad you are here! Please use the links below to find a variety of helpful information and necessary documents. Associated topics are listed as well, so click for more information on each one! Please select the category below that best describes your interest.

This is information you will need as you meet with the CCIW Ministry Committee. The Ministry Committee is made up of clergy and laity who represent the diversity of our region. They will be your conversation partners about your papers (one at a time) —-spiritual autobiography, concept of ministry, view of the church and its mission in the world. And, if you are an ordination candidate you will have a spiritual director. If you are on track for commission, you will have a mentor. This is a spiritual discernment process and it takes time. The committee meets three times per year: Feb-Mar in Chicago; June in Bloomington; September in Eureka.

You will have the opportunity to view a summary and associated documentation:

Policies

Sea of Tiberias Summer Intensive

Biblical Storytelling Class Participants

Candidate Process At A Glance

Click below to review yearly steps for ministry candidates:

Year 1

Step 1: Fill out an online application: Online Application. You will receive and acknowledgement and welcome from our office that we have received your application. Please submit a digital photo to the office for your file.

Step 2: Our office will do a Regional Directive to give you access to Search and Call at the Ministry Office of Disciple Home Missions. You will receive an email from DHM allowing you to enter and fill out your profile, with references and background check. Complete this step.

Step 3: Make an appointment for a Psychological/Vocational Assessment. See Vocational Discernment and Assessment Info

Step 4: Write your Spiritual Autobiography. See guidelines for papers Guidelines for Required Papers

Step 5: Read My Ministerial Code of Ethics

Step 6: Read, Sign and Send: CCIW Clergy Ethics Policy and Ethics Card

Step 7: Read, Sign and Send: Disclosure and Release Form Please print and fill out this form by hand. You must sign the form for validation.

Step 8: Ask your sponsoring Disciple congregation to write a letter in support of your candidacy.

Step 9: Ask your Regional Minister to write a letter of support/reference for Search and Call.

Step 9a: For Commission only—Ask your congregation to take official action, sending a letter to ask for a Commission, and provide a job description.

Step 10: Make your first appointment. Contact information: 309.828.6293 or [email protected]

Step 11: Meet Ministry Committee.

Year 2

Step 1: Make your second appointment. Contact information: 309.828.6293 or [email protected]

Step 2: Prepare your paper on Concept for Ministry

Step 3: Check you check list for what else needs to be done. (Ordination track—enroll in CPE) see In-Care for Ordination or Initial Commission below.

Year 3

Step 1: Make your third appointment. Contact information: 309.828.6293 or [email protected]

Step 2: Prepare your paper on Disciple History and Polity.

Step 3: Prepare your paper on Concept of The Church (Ecclesiology).

Step 4: Check you check list for what else needs to be done.

If all is completed for Commission, you will, most likely, be granted an Extended Commission for 5 years. We will see you again in five years.

Year 4

If all is completed for Ordination, including seminary education. You will schedule one more appointment for your Ordination interview.

In-Care for Ordination

This is the process through which seminarians, or those who have completed seminary, and the Region work in partnership towards the candidate’s ordination. Please note that these documents are not the only requirements for in-care candidates. If you are currently in-care of the Region and have questions about required paperwork, please contact the Regional Office.

Initial Commission

This is the process through which non-ordained individuals can be granted ministerial standing in the Disciples of Christ denomination. By meeting with the Ministry Committee annually and fulfilling other requirements and expectations, individuals can serve a congregation in a specific position. For more information, explore the documents below:

Note on New Location Commissions: To obtain a Commission for a new location, you will not need to resubmit all materials. You will need to provide a copy of your new job description, a new application, a biographical data update, a recommendation from the new location’s church board and possibly additional recommendations. Please contact the Regional Office if you are considering relocating.

Annual Commission Renewal

This is the process through which commissioned ministers annually renew their status. Forms and informational documents are listed below for reference, but please contact the Regional Office for a full list of what you are required to submit for an interview.

  • Complete Annual Ministerial Standing Profile This form is completed on a yearly basis and serves as a biographical data update for all ordained and commissioned clergy. You do not need to complete this form at the time of your interview. It will be mailed to you at the appropriate time and is here as a reference.

Extended Commission Renewal

In some cases, individuals who have been commissioned for more than 3 years will be granted an extended commission. This means that the individual does not need to physically meet each year with the Ministry Committee or complete the evaluation forms. These individuals can submit annual written reports discussing significant events in their ministry and plans moving into the next year. These reports are read and accepted or denied by the Ministry Committee. Additionally, ministers must submit the following:

  • Complete Annual Ministerial Standing Profile This form is completed on a yearly basis and serves as a biographical data update for all ordained and commissioned clergy. You do not need to complete this form at the time of your interview. It will be mailed to you at the appropriate time and is here as a reference.
  • Every five years you must renew your Extended Commission with a visit to the Committee on Ministry.

Dual Standing for Ordained Pastors

The partnership between the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ provides clergy with unique opportunities to have access to multiple Search and Call systems as well as serve congregations in each denomination. These processes are governed by the Ministry Manuals, Policies and Criteria documents, and respective Ministry Committee procedures (Regions for the Disciples and Associations for the UCC).

One critical standard is understanding of and appreciation for the History and Polity of the respective denomination in which one wishes to serve. Typically, if a minister has completed an approved History and Polity course and written a reflective paper, the expectations are met. Other requirements may include the Search and Call profile forms, a copy of the ordination certificate, a verification letter from the UCC Conference Minister and a signed ethics card. For more information on obtaining Dual Standing, please contact you Conference or Regional Minister.

Additional Information

On a variety of related topics, choose below:

History and Polity Courses

Disciples theology and polity now translated into Korean

Partnership of Chalice Press, Reconciliation Ministries and NAPAD

Disciples Thumbnail Sketches, a series of handouts describing basics Disciples theology and polity, is now available in Korean as well as English and Spanish.