In the United Church of Christ, ministerial formation and authorization are overseen by Committees on Ministry in local Associations (and Conferences acting as Associations). It is important for those who are exploring God’s call to partner early with their home congregation and a local Committee on Ministry. Once an individual is in covenant with a local church and a Committee on Ministry, the person is designated by the Association to be a Member in Discernment.
To begin your process of requesting a meeting with the NCNC-UCC Committee on Ministry, Section A (COM-A) to become a member in discernment contact the Committee Scheduler Terry Shoup. If you are seeking renewal details, click here to skip to that section of the page.
Documents for Persons Beginning the In Discernment Process (click each item to read)
- Member In Discernment Checklist
- Manual on Ministry, Section 2, Article 1: Member in Discernment
- Flow of the MID and Authorization Process
- Covenant for a Time of Discernment
- Background Disclosure Form
- Release of Information Agreement
- Background Screening Form
- As of July 2016 all Members in Discernment of the NCNC-UCC are required to complete one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education prior to their Ordination Interview. For a listing of Clinical Pastoral Education Centers by location you can refer to this directory.
All meetings with Section A take place virtually via Zoom for the foreseeable future. When you are scheduled for a meeting, you will be provided a link.
Important Contact Persons – (If you have questions, need documents or want to reschedule your appointment) These persons and many others, as well as important facts, maps, and resources are also listed in our Online NCNC Directory. If you need the password to view password protected content like the directory, please email the Conference Office.
Guidelines for Churches with Members in Discernment – Does any of this sound familiar: “What does it mean for a church to vote to receive a person as a Member in Discernment?” “What is the role of the local church in their member’s discernment process after the official letter?” “Help! We have a member who just decided that they want to go in care/discernment/whatever and I have no idea what happens now…” If so, then this guide is for you.
The Role of the Advisor – You’ve been taken in discernment by the Committee on Ministry and assigned to an Authorized Minister with standing in the NCNC UCC who will be your Advisor for the duration of your discernment journey. This document briefly outlines the relationship and responsibilities of both the Member in Discernment and the Discernment Advisor. If you want to know what is supposed to be in the yearly updates from Advisor to Committee on Ministry, all is revealed in this document.
At your meeting you and the committee will have shared time of prayer, conversation, and discernment about your call to authorized ministry with you and your accompanying guests. Appointments last up to an hour. COM-A is made up of a group of up to 18 clergy and lay members from across the Conference. It also includes a seminarian member who is themselves an MID in the midst of their formation process.
Candidates should dress in semi-formal apparel, similar to what you would consider wearing if you were participating in an initial job interview. Candidates are encouraged to wear what feels both formal enough for the occasion, and culturally aligned for themselves and their communities of origin. Most individuals in the room will dress around business casual.
Meetings take place via Zoom.
Members in Discernment seeking scholarships should review the UCC page on scholarships. Additionally, updated information on the Brown Scholarship can be found here.
Paperwork for those continuing in the In Discernment Process:
All applicants must send all the materials for the files before they will be scheduled for an appointment.
Documents for In Discernment Renewal
- In Discernment Renewal Checklist
- Mandated Reporter Training (Online Training Module)
- Vocational Psychological Assessment Process
- All Member’s in Discernment of the NCNC-UCC are required to complete one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education prior to their Ordination Exam. For a listing of CPE Centers by location you can refer to this directory.
For document guidelines for Ordination Interviews, Dual Standing, OMPS, Privilege of Call etc: click here