Standing Information

Excerpted from the Policy and Criteria for the Order of Ministry for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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B. Standing of those Ordained or Licensed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

(1) By virtue of ordination or licensing according to the criteria and procedures of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the minister becomes eligible for Standing in the Order of Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

(2) Standing is granted initially by the Region in which the minister’s service begins or by the General Commission on Ministry.

(3) Standing continues so long as the minister does the following:

(a) Performs faithfully the duties of a minister as authorized by ordination or licensing, either in an occupation recognized by the church as ministerial in purpose or in service recognized by the church as ministerial in purpose (a person will not be continued in Standing who is neither employed by, nor actively seeking employment in, nor accountable to a congregation, organization, related institution or Regional or General unit of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)).

(b) Participates in programs of study, research, growth and renewal

(c) Maintains relations with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) including participating membership in a recognized congregation in the community where feasible

(d) Continues to meet the personal qualification for admission to the Order of Ministry (see Section I,C,1).

(4) The Region or the General Commission on Ministry will provide means by which the Standing of all ministers in its care will be reviewed periodically.

(5) When an ordained minister moves from a ministry position in one Region to a ministry position in another, Standing in the Order of Ministry is retained.  Responsibility for review and subsequent certification is assigned to the Region in which the minister functions or to the General Commission on Ministry.  When an ordained minister who is not actively seeking relocation moves from a ministry position in one Region to another Region and is no longer engaged in ministry, ministerial Standing will lapse in six months, except in the case of retirement, until review and subsequent certification is granted by the Region into which the minister has moved.  The Standing of licensed ministers is removed when they no longer serve in the Region which granted the license.

(6) Ministers with Standing at the time of retirement retain this Standing except when the minister no longer meets the personal qualifications for admission to the Order of Ministry (see Section I,C,1).