Proposed Changes to the UCC Constitution and Bylaws approved by GS 27 in June 2009 See Revised...
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Transcript of Proposed Changes to the UCC Constitution and Bylaws approved by GS 27 in June 2009 See Revised...
Proposed Changes to the UCC Constitution and Bylaws
approved by GS 27in June 2009
See Revised Constitutionwith GS 27 Amendments
Theology of Ministry
Role of Licensed Ministry
In Care Process
Multiple Paths of Preparation
UCC Identity
Why?
• Need to:– Identify– Train– Nurture
• Pastoral Leadership for our churches
Because…
• One size does not fit all!
FROM Student In CareTO Member in Discernment
FROM Preparation For AuthorizationTO Discernment of Call and Formation
FROM Meeting Educational RequirementsTO Developing and Assessing Readiness
FROM Preparation Ending in AuthorizationTO Ongoing Formation & Lifelong Learning
What?
Move from “Student In Care”
to
“Member in Discernment”
Strengthen Partners in Discernment
Mutual Accountability
• All “authorized ministers” are expected to:– Become life-long learners– Be supportive of, active in and engaged with
all settings of the church: Local, Association, Conference, National
– Recognize that authorization belongs to the Church NOT the individual
Authorized UCC Ministries
• Ordained
• Licensed
• Commissioned
The Changes …
Delegates at the October 23 Annual Meeting will be voting to approve changes in 6 paragraphs of the
UCC Constitution
Paragraph 24
A change of language
from: “ongoing recognition as an Ordained Minister ...”
to: “ongoing covenant of mutual accountability …”
Paragraph 25
The documents delete “Conference” as one of the partners, because the
responsibility of “authorization” is located within the covenant
relationship of mutual accountability between: the “Authorized Minister”,
the “Local Church” and the “Association”
(Some Associations delegate this authority to the Conference – see par. 52)
Paragraph 26 (new 30)
Change in Terminology:
As the discernment of call is an ongoing, communal activity, and not all who are potential candidates for authorization are currently “students,”
the term “Member in Discernment” replaces “Student in Care” to denote a UCC member
in covenant with a Local Church and Association, exploring call to ministry.
Paragraphs 26, 28 and 46.
All Authorized Ministers - commissioned, licensed, ordained - “. . . one of its memberswhom God has called . . .” - hold standing in
the Association that authorizes them, and have voting rights in the Association.
By virtue of their standing in the Association,
when the Conference meets, its voting membership includes all Authorized
Ministers
Key concepts behind the Constitution and Bylaw
changes:
• Discernment is at the heart of all ministry in the UCC
• We live in mutual accountability with allsettings of the Church
• Authorized Ministers have equal responsibility and accountability in the Association
Action Needed
•Ratification of the proposed Constitutional Amendments before GS 28 (June 2011)
•In order to pass, 2/3 of all UCC Conferences must vote to ratify