What’s Next for GA #0922 FOR REGIONAL COMMISSIONS ON MINISTRY

WHAT IS GA #0922? General Assembly Resolution from 2009 that adopted a new document concerning ordained and commissioned ministry

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE MINISTRY DOCUMENT? It is entitled Theological Foundations and Policies and Criteria for the Ordering of Ministry for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

HOW CAN WE GET A COPY TO READ AND STUDY? Go to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) web page at and look on the left side of the page half way to the bottom for the words “Ordering of Ministry” Click that link!

WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH US ? Regional Commissions on Ministry will be the bodies which implement this policy document.

HOW WILL THIS DOCUMENT CHANGE LICENSED MINISTRY IN OUR REGION? As of August 1, 2011 all licensed ministers were renamed commissioned ministers.

HOW DO WE NOW UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONED MINISTRY? Commissioned ministers will be of two types: Those seeking ordination Those not seeking ordination

DOES THIS DOCUMENT IMPACT THE PROCESS BY WHICH WE MOVE CANDIDATES THROUGH THE ORDINATION PROCESS?

WILL WE HAVE HELP IN INTERPRETING THE PATH OF ORDINATION CANDIDATES IN LIGHT OF THE POLICIES AND CRITERIA DOCUMENT?

WEB BASED RESOURCES ARE ALREADY ON LINE IN FOUR LANGUAGES A Handbook for working with candidates for ordination Forms to track progress of candidates Tools to help you create a plan of study for candidates

IN WHICH LANGUAGES ARE THESE RESOURCES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE? FrenchSpanish KoreanEnglish All found on

WHERE WILL WE FIND GUIDANCE FOR AN ORDINATION PROCESS THAT IS IN HARMONY WITH THE POLICIES AND CRITERIA DOCUMENT?

WHAT IS IN THIS HANDBOOK?

WHAT ELSE IS IN THIS HANDBOOK?

WHAT ARE THE KEY ASPECTS OF WORK OUTLINED IN THE HANDBOOK? Initial assessment of candidates Creating an educational plan Continuing assessment of candidates

GETTING STARTED….. The commission evaluates the candidate on nine personal qualities that indicate fitness for ministry

QUALITIES TO BE ASSESSED…. Faith in Jesus ChristSense of call to ministry Understanding of pastoral identity Capacity for theological reflection Moral characterSufficient wellness for ministry Relational skillsResponsible financial management Responsible stewardship of gifts

IF THE COMMISSION IS SATISFIED THAT THIS PERSON IS A CANDIDATE TO COME UNDER CARE FOR ORDINATION… the commission evaluates the candidate in 16 areas of ministerial practice.

HOW CAN THE COMMISSION ASSESS PROFICIENCY IN THESE AREAS? Pages of the Handbook give helpful guidance

WHAT ARE THESE AREAS OF MINISTERIAL PRACTICE?

AREAS OF MINISTERIAL PRACTICE Biblical Knowledge Church administration Cross-cultural and anti-racism experience Communication

AREAS OF MINISTERIAL PRACTICE Ethics Evangelism Education and Leader Development Ecumenism

AREAS OF MINISTERIAL PRACTICE Pastoral care Spiritual development Mission of the church in the world Proclamation of the Word

AREAS OF MINISTERIAL PRATICE Theology Stewardship Understanding of heritage Worship

AFTER THE ASSESSMENT OF PROFICIENCY…. The commission creates a plan of study for the candidate. Part of this educational and formational plan is assessing the life circumstances of the candidate and resources available for preparation.

WHO FRAMES THE EDUCATIONAL PLAN? The plan is framed by the Commission on Ministry in consultation with the candidate. The plan is NOT framed by the candidate alone to be approved by the commission.

ARE THE 16 AREAS OF MINISTERIAL PRACTICE SUGGESTED GUIDELINES OR REQUIREMENTS FOR AN EDUCATIONAL PLAN? The education plan must meet criteria in the Ordering of Ministry document The Regional Commissions on Ministry may add criteria specific to its own regional requirements.

AFTER THE PLAN IS SET IN MOTION, WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE COMMISSION? The commission continues to assess the progress of the candidate and monitor growth in both the characteristics of ministry and the practices in ministry.

WHAT IF AFTER THIS PRESENTATION I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLICY DOCUMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE WORK OF OUR COMMISSION ON MINISTRY? The web site area where you found the Policies and Criteria document and the Handbook also contains a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section for you to refer to for the answers to many questions.

WHAT IF MY QUESTIONS ARE NOT ANSWERED BY THE FAQ SECTION OF THE WEB SITE? You can contact Sotello Long, Chair of the Standards Committee of the General Commission on Ministry – a task force which was formed to help regions with these new changes to their work.

THANK YOU FOR THE IMPORTANT WORK YOU DO IN HELPING THE WHOLE CHURCH TO STRENGTHEN ITS MINISTRY TOGETHER.