Application for Exempt Ministerial Standing

What is Exempt Ministerial Standing?

Exempt Standing is a ministerial standing for an Ordained Minister who continues to affirm their ordination and commitment to the United Church of Christ, but who chooses to no longer (or is no longer able to) engage in public ministry.

This application outlines the roles and responsibilities of Exempt Standing as part of the mutual discernment between an Ordained Minister and Committee on Ministry (ex. COM, C&M) before Exempt Standing is granted.

After receiving this application, the Committee will review it, have conversation with the minister, and determine whether to grant Exempt Standing. A Exempt Standing Covenant must be signed by the Minister and Committee before the process is complete.

To read more on Exempt Ministerial Standing please review the Manual on Ministry:

Section 2: Ministerial Authorization;

Article 3: Ordained Ministerial StandingRequesting Exempt Standing.

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Street Address Line 1

Street Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Yearbook and Access UCC

What information do you consent to be listed in the Yearbook and Access UCC (Check all that apply.)

AddressTelephoneEmailPlease do not share ANY information in the Yearbook or Access UCC.

Most Recent Ministry Setting

My most recent Ministry Setting was:

Name of Church or Ministry Setting

Ministry Setting Address:

If unknown, please provide city and state.

Position Title:

Pastor, Associate Pastor, Chaplain, Spiritual Director, etc.

Date Service Began:

If date unknown please note the year.

Date Service Ended:

If date unknown please note the year.

Current Church Membership

Church Membership:

Membership in a UCC Congregation is a requirement to maintain Standing.

I hold Ministerial Standing in:

Conference

Association

Exempt Standing & Public Ministry

I am requesting Exempt Standing because I am not currently engaged in public ministry, and I have discerned that I will no longer seek a call or opportunities for public ministry.

I affirm the following statement is true:

I am NOT currently involved in public ministry and I will NOT seek a future call or public ministry opportunities.

Exempt Standing & Committee on Ministry Requirements

I understand that I am still subject to the support and oversight of a Committee on Ministry through Exempt Standing, and am required to do the following:

Maintain Membership in a UCC Congregation;
Continue to embody the ethics of the UCC Ministerial Code;
Participate in the ongoing oversight of the Committee on Ministry, including annual Information Reviews, Situational Support Consultations, and Fitness Reviews; and
Be responsive to communication from the Association and Conference as I am able.

Exempt Standing and Committee on Ministry Requirements:

I understand that I am still subject to the support and oversight of a Committee on Ministry through Exempt Standing and will adhere to the above listed requirements.

Exempt Standing & Committee on Ministry

In conversation with the Committee on Ministry, I recognize that by maintaining Exempt Standing I will refrain from:

Seeking Ministerial positions;
Entering into call agreements;
Providing Pulpit Supply;
Officiating at weddings and funerals, and;
Serving on the Committees of the Association, Conference, National, or Global settings of the church.

Exempt Standing and Committee on Ministry Requirements:

I understand that I am still subject to the support and oversight of a Committee on Ministry through Exempt Standing and will refrain from the above ministry opportunities.

By maintaining Exempt Standing, I understand that I am exempt from certain ongoing requirements of Ordained Ministerial Standing including:

Periodic Vocational Support meetings,
Boundary Training,
Diversity Training, and
Continuing Education

As a UCC Minister with Exempt Standing I may continue to:

Participate in the life of my Local Church;
Attend the Annual Meeting of the Association and Conference when possible;
Co-Officiate at the sacraments at the invitation of an active Ordained Minister;
Other (As determined by the Committee on Ministry with the minister)

Exempt Ministerial Standing Covenant

I covenant to refrain from engaging in pastoral activities save for the activities indicated above and from serving in a professional ministry capacity (even if temporary) while maintaining Exempt Standing. If I discern a call to serve in a professional ministry capacity again, I covenant to meet with the Committee on Ministry to request an end to Exempt Standing and will complete any required Boundary Trainings as a prerequisite for reentering into active ministry.

If I relocate while maintaining Exempt Standing and am able to join a Local Church in my new location, I will request a Transfer of Standing to the new Association.

The Association covenants to continue to communicate with me regarding all required oversight processes, Association and Conference Annual Meetings, and other business of the Association.

Review & Submit

By clicking "SUBMIT" below, I authorize my signature on this application.

I understand that this application will be added to my Ministerial File and reported to the Conference and/or Association where I hold Ministerial Standing.

I further understand by submitting this application I agree to begin a discernment conversation with the appropriate Committee on Ministry.

I acknowledge this application will not be complete until the Committee on Ministry reviews the Exempt Standing Covenant with me and approves the change in Standing.

Select one and then click SUBMIT.

I have read the above covenant and submit my application for Exempt Ministerial Standing on my own behalf.The above covenant has been reviewed with the minister listed and submitted on their behalf.

Contact Information

If you are submitting this application on behalf of the above identified minister, a Committee on Ministry member will be in contact with you to verify the information submitted.

Name (First, Last):

Email:

Relationship to Minister listed in Application:

Application for Exempt Ministerial Standing. Manual on Ministry Revised 2019.