What are the steps toward authorized ministry in the UCC?

♦ Ask the question: Am I being called to ministry? Listen within for the voice of God. Listen also for the voices of those who know you best who may be raising this question for you.

♦ Explore with your church: If you are not yet a member of a local UCC church, find a church to join, for the local church is the starting point for authorization in the UCC. Then seek discernment through prayer and conversation with the pastor and lay leaders.

♦ Local church recommendation: If your church discerns in you a potential call to authorized ministry, they will recommend you to the UCC Association or Conference to which the church belongs.

♦ Member in Discernment: This is a formal time of discernment and preparation during which the Association/Conference and the local church offer support to you as well as ongoing assessment of your marks for effective ministry.

♦ Authorization: After a suitable period of education, preparation, mentoring, and assessment, the Association/Conference votes to approve you and grant you authority for one of the forms of ministry in the UCC.

For more detailed information on the process in the UCC, please read this document.