Specialized Settings

An increasing number of Members in Discernment and clergy feel called to serve in specialized ministries: from spiritual direction to campus ministry, from hospice chaplaincy to pastoral counseling, from intentional interim ministry to CPE supervision, and many more.

Within the broad range and varied titles of specialized ministries, “chaplaincy” denotes institutional ministry—ministry on behalf of the church but outside a traditional church setting—in places like hospitals, prisons, and the military services. Chaplains especially must demonstrate the ability to work well independently and to function in religiously and culturally pluralistic environments.

While the United Church of Christ affirms multiple paths to authorized ministry, it should be noted that organizations employing chaplains and specialized ministers often require a Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary, credits in Clinical Pastoral Education, and special training; they also may have requirements for age and physical condition.

UCC Professional Chaplains and Counselors

The United Church of Christ Professional Chaplains and Counselors (UCC-PCC) is an interest group of those individuals in the denomination who serve in ministries of chaplaincy and counseling. Members serve in a wide variety of professional settings both in religious, nonprofit, and private clinical practice. The mission of this group is to provide a means of:

• Connection to enhance the relationship among chaplains and counselors
• Foundation to sharpen our identity within the UCC
• Education and professional growth
• Communication to increase dialogue with peers, agencies, denominational instrumentalities, and cognate groups regarding chaplaincy and counseling among the members and with the UCC national setting.

Professional Endorsement

Many (but not all) specialized ministry settings ask for Ecclesiastical Endorsement by a minister’s denomination. There is a distinction between “standing” as an authorized minister within the United Church of Christ and “eccleciastical endorsement” by the United Church of Christ. The granting of ministerial standing means that a person is deemed sufficiently prepared and equipped for ministry in and on behalf of the United Church of Christ. Ecclesiastical endorsement is verification by the denomination that an authorized minister is in good standing, has gained the necessary qualifying experience, is willing and capable of working collegially in a religiously and culturally pluralistic setting without prejudice, understands that they are not to evangelize in a specialized ministry setting, and has the maturity to represent the United Church of Christ to the calling institution. Collected here (in Section 2.5) are requirements and forms for Ecclesiastical Endorsement in both professional and government organizations; please note that not all employers require ecclesiastical endorsement.

Government Endorsement

Basic requirements for ecclesiastical endorsement in government organizations include:

• Ordained ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ
• Bachelor’s degree
• Master of Divinity degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited seminary
• Minimum of one quarter of clinical pastoral education or advanced supervised counseling training
• Three years’ experience in the practice of ministry (exceptions for Reserve/National Guard)
• Ability and willingness to work in religiously pluralistic setting
• Qualities/skills suited to the particular chaplaincy

The endorsement process and requirements are outlined in the United Church of Christ Manual on Ministry, Section 2, Article 5. If you are interested in applying for government chaplaincy, please contact Stephen Boyd, Minister for Government Chaplains who serves as the denomination’s Government Endorser, before filling out the Application Form for Ecclesiastical Endorsement/Approval for Government Chaplaincy.

Healthcare Settings

Educational Settings

Workplace/Community Settings

PARAGRAPH COPY.

Resources for COMs

PARAGRAPH COPY.