National Conference Ministers

Description

National conference ministers are those members of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, whose call to the ministry has been affirmed by the national conference and who are continuing the pursuit of ordination. The national conference license is the second of three steps toward ordination, which is the goal expected of persons holding this license.

Qualifications

To become a candidate for this license, a person must fulfill the following:

1. Hold a local church license from a United Brethren church for at least 12 months.

2. Complete two years of college and the course in United Brethren church history.

3. Demonstrate a level of faithfulness and competency which warrants consideration for an national conference license.

4. Demonstrate faithfulness to the expectations of members (chapter 7), adherence to the moral and social standards of the church (chapters 8 and 9), and conformity to the general expectations of ministers (chapter 10).

Licensing of National Conference Ministers

The following procedure is established for the licensing of national conference ministers:

1. Referral of the Local Church

After local church ministers have held their licenses for a minimum of 12 months, they may request that their local churches refer them for consideration as national conference ministers. The local church shall verify that the local church ministers have met the qualifications and shall make the appropriate referral should they deem the ministers to be suitable candidates.

2. Examination

Candidates shall be examined by the Ministerial Licensing and Ordination Team. They shall present the following to the committee:

a. Five letters of reference. These letters should give evidence of the candidate's faithfulness in Christian living and should be obtained from the following individuals:

(1) A faculty or graduate school member in the candidate's major area of study.

(2) The pastor of the local United Brethren church the candidate attends (or, if the candidate is the pastor, from another United Brethren pastor).

(3) The lay leader (or a key layperson) of the local United Brethren church the candidate attends.

(4) The cluster coach.

(5) A friend or relative.

b. A copy of his/her academic transcripts.

c. Written responses to the following:

(1) Describe your conversion experience, journey of faith, and call to ministry.

(2) Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God and that it reveals the only way for our salvation? How do you support your belief?

(3) What is your motive for desiring a national conference license?

(4) What is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer? How is this demonstrated in your life?

(5) What do you believe regarding the nature of humanity and the individual need for salvation?

(6) Define the following terms: depravity, redemption, faith, repentance, justification, regeneration, and sanctification.

(7) Demonstrate a proficiency with a plan of salvation and identify individuals you personally have led to Christ.

(8) Will you agree to abide by the official actions of your conference and denomination in all matters relating to your ministry?

(9) Are you satisfied with the moral and social standards and with the government of this denomination, and will you seek to maintain them?

(10) What are your future plans regarding ministry inasmuch as they pertain to this license?

(11) Will you faithfully pursue the course of study required for you?

(12) Demonstrate your working knowledge of the Discipline in the following areas: the reception and duties of members, local church structure, and the classifications and duties of ministers.

(13) What current debts do you have?

(14) Have you ever pled guilty to or been convicted of any crime?

(15) Have you ever been charged with child neglect or abuse?

(16) Has your driver's license ever been suspended or revoked?

(17) Do you use illegal drugs, beverage alcohol, or tobacco in any form?

(18) Is your marriage in harmony with the teachings of Scripture as interpreted by this denomination?

Based on the above documents and any others the committee may require, candidates shall be examined to determine matters of personal integrity, commitment to the Christian faith, ministerial call, relationships with others, spiritual maturity, and understanding of the doctrinal distinctives, history, and polity of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA.

3. Report to the Pastoral Ministries Leadership Team

Following the examination, the examining committee shall report its findings to the Pastoral Ministries Leadership Team and make any recommendations it deems consistent with its findings. Pending a favorable recommendation from the examining committee, the Pastoral Ministries Leadership Team may choose to grant a national conference license.

4. Renewal

The national conference license is valid for four years. Following this initial four-year period, annual renewal is required. Renewal is subject to the following conditions:

a. An annual report must be made to the Ministerial Licensing and Ordination Team.

b. Progress is being made in the required course of study (see below).

5. Referral for Ordination Status

National conference ministers may be referred for ordination status when the following conditions have been met:

a. The national conference license has been held for a minimum of two years.

b. They have completed a Master of Divinity degree from an approved seminary or the Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry degree from the Huntington University Graduate School of Christian Ministries, or have completed the requirements for those 35 years or older.

c. They have served for one year in a recognized ministry appointment approved by the Pastoral Ministries Leadership Team.

d. They have demonstrated a level of faithfulness and competency which warrants consideration for ordination status.

6. Loss of the License

The Pastoral Ministries Leadership Team shall have the authority to revoke the licenses of national conference ministers whose lives and ministries are inconsistent with the expectations detailed in the Discipline. Should they desire, national conference ministers shall be granted an opportunity for a hearing before final action is taken.

Failure to retain membership in a United Brethren church will also result in loss of license.

7. Ministers from Other Denominations

Ministers from other denominations who hold a license equivalent to the natioanl conference license and who seek to be licensed by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, may have the local church license requirements waived provided they can demonstrate that their current credentials are in good standing from their previous denominations. All other requirements must be met.

Course of Study

All national conference ministers are expected to pursue a course of study leading toward a Master of Divinity degree through an accredited seminary or the Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry degree through the Huntington University Graduate School of Christian Ministries.

Candidates who received their local church licenses at an age of 35 years or older may be permitted to meet this requirement through a Diploma of Pastoral Leadership program or a ministerial training correspondence program approved by the Pastoral Ministries Leadership Team.

Expectations of National Conference Ministers

In addition to the general expectations of all ministers and members in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, national conference ministers are expected to faithfully fulfill the following requirements:

1. Annual Reporting

All national conference ministers will file an annual report with the bishop and cluster coach. In addition, they are expected to file a separate annual report of their activities with the Ministerial Licensing and Ordination Team.

2. Accountability

Since this license is granted by the national conference, national conference ministers are accountable to the national conference. They are also required to participate in and be accountable to a cluster

3. Ministerial Service

National conference ministers shall work under the direction of the bishop. They may be asked to supply pulpits when ministers are ill or on vacation or be assigned as the senior pastor of a local church. National conference ministers are authorized to officiate at funerals and weddings and to administer the ordinances of baptism and communion.