The United Church of Christ recognizes that God calls certain of its members to various forms of ministry in and on behalf of the church, for which ecclesiastical authorization is required. (UCC Constitution, Article VI Paragraph 21) According to the Constitution and Bylaws of the United Church of Christ, authorization includes Ordination, Commissioning, and Licensure.

The Leadership and Ministry webpages centrally locate the resources needed for the excellent formation and support of authorized ministers in the United Church of Christ. Herein are tools for authorized ministers, for individuals discerning God’s call into ministry, for Committees on Ministry that bear out the denomination’s covenantal relationship with ministers, and for Associations, Conferences, churches and organizations that partner with authorized ministers in building up the body of Christ.

In the national setting, the active engagement of United Church of Christ polity regarding authorized ministry is tasked to the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization Team (MESA). If authorized ministry is a table, MESA attends to the table’s settings and resources those who gather at the table: Committees on Ministry, Association and Conference staff, congregations and organizations searching for ministerial leadership, Members in Discernment, and authorized ministers themselves serving in varied ministry settings.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

Ephesians 4:11-13

The Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers is a tool for discernment and assessment, created especially for use by Members in Discernment, Committees on Ministry, and authorized ministers. The Marks developed through conversations surrounding the Ministry Issues Pronouncement of General Synod 25, which sought to expand UCC definitions of learnedness and leadership in authorized ministry and to emphasize excellence in ministerial formation.

It's important to note that the Marks, available in multiple formats and languages below, is not a checklist or report card, in which one strives to receive a perfect grade in every category. Rather, the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers provides a lens for reflecting upon a person's formation, gifts and growth both before authorization and throughout one's ministry.

The Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers (revised)

Las Senales de Los Cristianos Fieles y Ministerios Authorizados (revised)

The Marks translated in Samoan (revised)

The Marks in Large Print format (revised)

Assessment Rubric for the Marks (available in print and as a downloadable PDF through UCC Resources)

Journaling the Journey (available in print through UCC Resources)

Additional resources specific to authorized ministers in the United Church of Christ include: Grants for Personal and Vocational Crisis; Interim Ministry Guidelines; Information Review Form (a tool for maintaining one's standing through intentional communication with one's local Committee on Ministry); Faith and Wisdom (a searchable database of ecumenical Protestant opportunities for continuing education).

The gifts Christ gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.(Ephesians 4:11-12) The United Church of Christ values well-prepared and faithful ministerial leadership for the building up of the body of Christ and for God's ongoing mission in the world. To that end, we continue to expand our definitions of learnedness and leadership, our practices of discernment, and our expressions of covenant.

The Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers. Developed from the 2005 Pronouncement on Ministry Issues, the Marks is a valuable tool for authorized ministers to assess and grow their gifts for ministry. For a minister's continued self-assessment and formation, the Marks can be engaged through the Journaling the Journey workbook. The Marks can likewise provide a framework for the conversations between authorized ministers and Committees on Ministry during times of review, such as the Information Review and the Periodic Support Consultation.

Ministerial Profile. Authorized ministers searching for an ecclesiastical call can now utilize the new Ministerial Profile Portal, with an updated Ministerial Profile format and a new Snapshot tool for visibility. Ministers from other denominations who wish to seek a call within the United Church of Christ should first be in conversation with their local Associations and Conferences to explore privilege of call.

Specialized Ministers. All specialized ministers are encouraged to prepare and maintain Ministerial Profiles. Those chaplains seeking ecclesiastical endorsement for their ministry settings should review the United Church of Christ's process and requirements for endorsement.

Association and Conference Ministers. Those judicatory ministers who facilitate and support the Search and Call process are invited to acclimate themselves to the new Ministerial Profile system. Additional news and resources for judicatory staff, including updates on the AM21 event, are posted online.

Additional resources specific to authorized ministers in the United Church of Christ include: Grants for Personal and Vocational Crisis; Interim Ministry Guidelines; Information Review Form (a tool for maintaining one's standing through intentional communication with one's local Committee on Ministry); overview of health, pension, and other benefits through The Pension Boards; Faith and Wisdom (a searchable database of ecumenical Protestant opportunities for continuing education).

There are three forms of authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ: commissioned ministry, licensed ministry and ordained ministry.

• A commissioned minister is authorized by an Association of the United Church of Christ to perform "specific church-related ministry which is recognized by that Association but does not require ordination or licensure." (UCC Bylaws) Typically, commissioned ministers do not perform sacramental ministry but are engaged in ministries (e.g. education, music, nursing) that the denomination values as part of its mission and ministry. Commissioning is dependent upon a recognized call to an organized body. A commissioned minister is a representative minister in the United Church of Christ, and one's commission is transferable to another Association when there is a new call within the same "specific church-related ministry."
• A licensed minister is authorized by an Association of the United Church of Christ "to perform specific duties in a designated local church or within that Association, mainly preaching and conducting services of worship for a designated time." (UCC Bylaws) Licensed ministry is frequently authorized, for example, when a local church needs pastoral and sacramental leadership but an ordained minister is not available. The Association, in consultation with the local church requesting a person's licensure, determines the specific duties and length of time for which the license is granted. A license is not transferable to another ministry setting or Association.
• An ordained minister is authorized by an Association of the United Church of Christ to preach and teach the gospel, to administer the sacraments and rites of the church, and to exercise pastoral care and leadership. An ordained minister is a representative minister of the United Church of Christ and is in covenant with the local church where (s)he holds UCC membership, the calling body where (s)he is engaged in ministry, and the Association acting on behalf of the United Church of Christ. Once granted, ordained standing is ongoing and transferable to another Association; standing is always subject to review and requires a mindful relationship between the clergyperson, Association and ministry setting. The Ordained Minister's Code not only guides a clergyperson's behavior in ministry but also provides an assessment tool for ongoing discernment and growth.

MESA In-Service Opportunities

Within the United Church of Christ, the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization team (MESA) supports the critical implementation of denominational polity for authorized ministry, especially equipping the Committees on Ministry that determine authorization of those persons who hold or are pursuing ministerial standing.

In other words (to make metaphorical use of "mesa"), the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization team serves as host at the table that is ministry in the United Church of Christ. Gathered at the table are authorized ministers, calling bodies, Associations, Conferences, and Committees on Ministry, to which the MESA team offers support and resources for faithful and effective ministry. Additionally, MESA's role as host includes the encouragement of ongoing conversation regarding issues of ministry in the 21st century.  

The MESA team works in a collaborative model to meet the needs of those at the table. Duties, responsibilities and contact information of each MESA team member are listed below, understanding that the goals and partnerships noted here are not designed to be exhaustive. 

Marja Coons-Torn, Interim Team Leader of the Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization Ministry Team
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland OH 44115
216-736-3881, coons-Tornm@ucc.org
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Visions and articulates the changing needs of authorized ministers & leadership development in the United Church of Christ and ecumenically 
• Builds ecumenical and denominational partnerships to support and resource authorized ministers, conference staff and committees on ministry
• Provides leadership, oversight, and development of the Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization Ministry Team
• Serves as a connectional voice between the Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization Ministry Team and settings of the United Church of Christ

Rev. Stephen Boyd, Minister for Chaplains and Ministers in Specialized Settings
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland Ohio 44115
562-301-1622, boyds@ucc.org 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Recognizes and honors the diverse calling bodies within the United Church of Christ
• Supports bi-vocational authorized ministers and those serving in settings outside of the local church including but not limited to chaplains, educators, counselors, community organizers, ecumenical ministers, and denominational ministers 
• Supports authorized ministers serving in chaplaincy positions including but not limited to: Hospital Chaplaincy, Military Chaplaincy, College Chaplaincy, and Prison Chaplaincy 
• Provides the voice and perspective of the United Church of Christ in commissions and organizations related to specialized ministry 
• Serves as the endorser for government and professional chaplains
• Resources Committees on Ministry on authorizing and supporting specialized ministers

Rev. Elizabeth Dilley, Minister for Ministerial Support and Accountability
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland OH 44115
216-736-3841, dilleye@ucc.org 
Duties and Responsibilities
• Assists in embodying the on-going covenant between authorized ministers, associations, conferences and the national setting of the church 
• Strengthens a culture of lifelong learning and continuing education among authorized ministers
• Equips Committees on Ministry to work with Local Church Ministers
• Works with partners to name and develop materials for boundary training and continuing education 
• Articulates guidelines for covenant and mutual accountability for authorized ministers including programs of oversight and fitness 
• Develops and maintains a denomination-wide record of results from UCC fitness review proceedings 
• Resources and connects programs of clergy cohort clusters including the Communities of Practice, 20/30 Clergy, African American Women in Ministry, and the Antoinette Brown Society

Rev. Dr. Renee Jackson, Minister for Ministerial Formation
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland OH 44115
216-736-3842, Jacksonr@ucc.org 
Duties and Responsibilities

• Cultivates a culture of call with Local Churches, including support of Local Church Discernment Committees
• Supports opportunities for Members in Discernment
• Undergirds COMs in the use of the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers
• Liaison with the UCC History, Theology and Polity Network and the Regional Theological Education Consortium

Rev. Dr. Tony Clark Minister for Committee on Ministry Development and Leadership 
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland OH 44115
216-736-3846, clarkt@ucc.org
Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates on-line and in person trainings for Committees on Ministry
• Develops and maintains COM resources
• Supports the implementation of the 2018 Manual on Ministry 

Rev. Malcolm Himschoot, Minister for Ministerial Calls and Transitions
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland OH 44115
216-736-3840, himschootm@ucc.org
Duties and Responsibilities
• Engages partners in researching, developing and disseminating resources on ministerial transition in the United Church of Christ 
• Supports interim ministers in the United Church of Christ and the UCC interim minister’s network
• Develops resources and support for conference staff engaged in search and call        
• Oversees the UCC Profiles Office including the UCC Ministerial Profile’s Portal, Ministry Opportunities Listings, and the development of a new Local Church Profile system
• Resources and supports ministers transitioning between calling bodies or into retirement 

Mr. Darrrell Ludwig, Profile & Ministry Opportunities Administrator
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland OH 44115
216-736-3847, ludwigd@ucc.org
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Resources authorized ministers and conference staff in the completion of online documents relating to MESA, including the ministerial profile and ministry opportunities listings

Ms. Kathleen Sattler, Administrative Assistant-Endorsement Secretary
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland OH 44115
216-736-3850, sattlerk@ucc.org 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Provides administrative support to members of the Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization Ministry Team 
• Serves as the Endorsement Secretary for the United Church of Christ

Shared Commitments of all MESA Team Members
• A commitment to work collaboratively and collegially
• A commitment to demonstrate significant understandings of and appreciation of the faith, polity and practice of ministry in the UCC
• A commitment to demonstrate desire and sensitivity to work in diverse racial, ethnic, cultural and religious settings and attentive to implicit-bias in resources and trainings
• A commitment to responding to the needs of the church including ability to collaboratively conceptualize, author, and produce print and on-line resources.
• A commitment to demonstrate facilitation and workshop leadership in diverse setting of the church
• A commitment to adapt to new technology

A Guide to Authorizing Ministry in the United Church of Christ

The role of the Manual on Ministry (MOM) in the United Church of Christ is to serve as a living guide, a grounding perspective, and a resource for shared expectations in the essential ministry of Committees on Ministry.

The Manual on Ministry is maintained by the Ministerial Excellence, Support, and Authorization (MESA) Team. The 2018 edition of MOM is available in PDF, and hard copies of the new edition can be purchased through UCC Resources.

The Manual on Ministry includes the following sections and articles:

Section 1: Theological Grounding
Covenantal Polity
Theology of Ministry and Ordination
Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers
Ministry of Committees on Ministry

Section 2: Ministerial Authorization
Article 1: Members in Discernment
Article 2: Ordained Ministers from Ecumenical Bodies
Article 3: Ordained Ministerial Standing
Article 4: Lay Ministerial Standing
Article 5: Calls, Covenants, and Endorsements
Article 6: Accountability and Support

Section 3: Resources for Committees on Ministry
Online Resources
Glossary of Terms
Letter from the Habakkuk Group

As of February 2019, the following resources are regularly being published and uploaded. MESA anticipates that all Section 3 resources for the 2018 Manual on Ministry will be available on this site by Summer 2019.

The following resources, templates, and best practices of the Manual on Ministry’s Section 3 are updated, amended, added to or subtracted from, by the MESA Team in order to support faithful and effective Committees on Ministry. These resources are dated and identified specifically as MESA- or MOM-related resources. Additional materials that are not specific to MESA may be linked as relevant references for understanding the Manual on Ministry and the polity of the United Church of Christ.