PASTORAL MINISTRY HANDBOOK | CHAPTER 7
Transferring Credentials
¶71 Elders from Other Denominations, Associations, or churches
1. Requirements
Ordained ministers from other denominations, associations, or churches who seek to be ordained by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, must:
a. Demonstrate that their ordinations are still considered to be in good standing from their denomination of origin.
b. Provide documentation that verifies they meet the educational requirements for ordination in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA.
c. Submit written answers to the Questions Asked of Ordination Candidates and the references required at the ordination level.
2. Examination
These elders will be examined by the Ministerial Licensing and Ordination Team (MLOT).
a. Once that examination has occurred and a favorable recommendation has been approved by the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team, these elders will be granted a Provisional license.
b. Should the written answers need to be further developed, the minister will be given direction by the MLOT and will receive an additional interview within the following 6 months.
3. Granting License
Upon completion of the one year of service requirement, approval of the MLOT, and the course in United Brethren church history, the minister will be granted ordination in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA.
4. Ministers 35 and Older
Ministers from other denominations who are over 35 years of age will be permitted to meet the educational requirements for ordination as outlined in chapter 14.
¶72 Ministers Being Received Along with a Congregation
1. Process with the Congregation
a. Ministers being received along with a congregation into membership work through a process of conversations and meetings with multiple denominational officials.
b. This process assures that both the pastor and congregation understand and agree with the Core Values, Confession of Faith, and Discipline of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA.
c. This process typically lasts at least one year.
2. Process with the Pastor
At the prompting of the bishop, the director of Ministerial Licensing assures that the pastor has done the following:
a. Completed the course of study for ordination.
b. Served for a minimum of two years as pastor of the congregation being received.
c. Demonstrates a level of faithfulness and competency which warrants consideration for the status of ordained elder.
d. Submits to a background check as determined by the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team.
e. Provides the reference forms as prescribed for ordination.
f. Submits written answers to the “Questions Asked of Candidates for Ordination.”
3. Process with the MLOT
a. The regional Ministerial Licensing and Ordination Team examines the pastor as prescribed for ordination. Once that examination has occurred and a favorable recommendation has been approved by the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team, the pastor will be granted a Provisional License in conjunction with the congregation being received.
b. Upon completion of one year of service and the course in United Brethren History, the minister will be interviewed again by the regional Ministerial Licensing and Ordination Team. This interview will include updated references from the cluster leader, the local board chair, and the bishop. It may also include updated written answers to the “Questions asked of Candidates for Ordination.
c. Once that examination has occurred and a favorable recommendation has been approved, the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team will grant ordination status.
¶73 Ministers with Credentials from other Denominations, Affiliations, or Churches
1. Ministers with credentials other than ordination from other denominations, affiliations or churches will be received at the Provisional license level. The normal process, as specified in the Pastoral Ministry Handbook, will apply.
2. Upon receiving the Provisional license, the minister will choose between the Specialized Minister or Ordained Elder pathways. The normal processes for these licenses, as specified in the Handbook, will apply.
