UCC Conferences ratify national leadership structure changes approved by General Synod

A process to streamline and redefine the leadership structure of the National Setting of the United Church of Christ, through a series of amendments to the denomination’s Constitution, has just been completed.

On Saturday, October 13, 2018, the amendments to the United Church of Christ Constitution approved by the Thirty-First General Synod in 2017 were fully ratified by two-thirds of the Conferences of the United Church of Christ. The amendments to the Constitution, and the amendments to the Bylaws of the United Church of Christ that relied upon amendments to the Constitution, are now in full force and effect. Updated documents will be posted soon.

The amendments more clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the UCC’s elected executives. Under the updated Constitution, the leadership of the National Setting rests with a General Minister and President, who is called by General Synod. Associate General Ministers are also called by General Synod. Their scope of work is determined by the General Minister and President, with input from the Board of Directors; the number of Associate General Ministers will be determined by the Board of Directors.

The ratification by a majority of UCC Conferences was the last step in the process. The General Synod of the United Church of Christ approved the changes to the Constitution during the Thirty-first General Synod in Baltimore in July 2017. Members of the UCC Board of Directors overwhelmingly approved the amendments in December 2016.