By Rev. Charles Ensley, Committee on Ministry Section B
After serving UCC congregations in Upstate New York and Southern California for forty years, I retired in 2013. We moved north to Sonoma County to be near grandchildren. National guidelines now require clergy with Retired standing to maintain their standing in the Conference in which they reside. So, I transferred mine from Southern California Nevada Conference to NCNC UCC. We joined Kenwood Community Church, and before long I found myself on Committee on Ministry, Section B, which is responsible for ministerial standing. (I had been on Committees on Ministry in every other Association and Conference in which I had served. It’s a great way to meet lots of clergy when you’re new in an area!)
Our COM-B has recently had a number of ministers apply for Exempt Standing. What is the difference between me with Retired Standing and a minister with Exempt Standing? As Retired, I can still provide pulpit supply at my local church or any area church. I can perform weddings, memorial services and administer the sacraments. I must still comply with all Lifelong Learning Requirements: Mandated Reporter, Racial Justice Training, Boundary Training. I am no longer required to submit Continuing Education hours.
A minister might wish to apply for Exempt Standing. This is for someone who is no longer serving a local church, a chaplaincy position or any other church-related ministry, and has no plans to do so in the future. Perhaps they wish to enter law school, become a therapist or teacher. If they choose Exempt, they are no longer required to comply with any of the Lifelong Learning requirements above. While they must maintain membership in a UCC congregation, they must refrain from seeking ministerial positions; entering call agreements, providing pulpit supply, officiating at weddings and funerals (with the exception of doing so for family members); serving on Association, Conference or National settings of the church.
They may continue to participate in the life of their local church; attend annual meetings of the Association or Conference; co-officiate at the sacraments at the invitation of an active Ordained Minister. Exempt standing does not remove their ordination. That is for life. Should they choose in the future to re-enter active ministry, they may reapply for a change in standing after completing the required Lifelong Learning requirements.
If you wish more information or clarity on which standing is best for you, please feel free to contact Committee on Ministry, Section B. If you wish to apply for Exempt Standing, there is a simple application on the NCNCUCC website here.
