Proposed Changes to the UCC Constitution and Bylaws

approved by GS 27in June 2009

See Revised Constitutionwith GS 27 Amendments

Theology of Ministry

Role of Licensed Ministry

In Care Process

Multiple Paths of Preparation

UCC Identity

Why?

• Need to:– Identify– Train– Nurture

• Pastoral Leadership for our churches

Because…

• One size does not fit all!

FROM Student In CareTO Member in Discernment

FROM Preparation For AuthorizationTO Discernment of Call and Formation

FROM Meeting Educational RequirementsTO Developing and Assessing Readiness

FROM Preparation Ending in AuthorizationTO Ongoing Formation & Lifelong Learning

What?

Move from “Student In Care”

to

“Member in Discernment”

Strengthen Partners in Discernment

Mutual Accountability

• All “authorized ministers” are expected to:– Become life-long learners– Be supportive of, active in and engaged with

all settings of the church: Local, Association, Conference, National

– Recognize that authorization belongs to the Church NOT the individual

Authorized UCC Ministries

• Ordained

• Licensed

• Commissioned

The Changes …

Delegates at the October 23 Annual Meeting will be voting to approve changes in 6 paragraphs of the

UCC Constitution

Paragraph 24

A change of language

from: “ongoing recognition as an Ordained Minister ...”

to: “ongoing covenant of mutual accountability …”

Paragraph 25

The documents delete “Conference” as one of the partners, because the

responsibility of “authorization” is located within the covenant

relationship of mutual accountability between: the “Authorized Minister”,

the “Local Church” and the “Association”

(Some Associations delegate this authority to the Conference – see par. 52)

Paragraph 26 (new 30)

Change in Terminology:

As the discernment of call is an ongoing, communal activity, and not all who are potential candidates for authorization are currently “students,”

the term “Member in Discernment” replaces “Student in Care” to denote a UCC member

in covenant with a Local Church and Association, exploring call to ministry.

Paragraphs 26, 28 and 46.

All Authorized Ministers - commissioned, licensed, ordained - “. . . one of its memberswhom God has called . . .” - hold standing in

the Association that authorizes them, and have voting rights in the Association.

By virtue of their standing in the Association,

when the Conference meets, its voting membership includes all Authorized

Ministers

Key concepts behind the Constitution and Bylaw

changes:

• Discernment is at the heart of all ministry in the UCC

• We live in mutual accountability with allsettings of the Church

• Authorized Ministers have equal responsibility and accountability in the Association

Action Needed

•Ratification of the proposed Constitutional Amendments before GS 28 (June 2011)

•In order to pass, 2/3 of all UCC Conferences must vote to ratify