As you complete your move to the Northern Lights Region, take a few minutes to complete this form and let us help you keep your Standing current.
In keeping with The Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), regions are responsible for reviewing and certifying the Ministerial Standing of all ordained and licensed Disciples clergy each year who live in their area. When your Standing is acknowledged by the region, your name is listed in the official Year Book and Directory of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for the ensuing year. It is important to know that the Year Book is the primary document the IRS uses to verify ministerial standing; and thus, your eligibility for housing allowance exclusions. Another key value – you cannot enter Search and Call without Standing. Standing reflects your being “accountable to and up-to-date with” the required denominational criteria for maintaining your ecclesiastical certification.
The following questions are detailed but with purpose. Please complete the form as accurately as possible. Many of the questions are directly related to those the Northern Lights Region are asked to provide to the Office of Search and Call (who keeps minister records) when your standing is transferred between regions. The more complete and accurate your replies are here, the more complete and accurate your records at the national office will be. Thank you!
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Please note: Each section is it's own "page" but the form will not save if you leave the site.
Employment Criteria: “Standing for ministers in active service continues so long as the minister does and reports the following: Performs faithfully the duties of a minister as authorized by Commissioning or Ordination, either in an occupation recognized by the church as ministerial in purpose or in a service recognized by the church as ministerial in purpose." Theological Foundations and Policies and Criteria for the Order of Ministry [II.F.2.b.i]
Healthy Boundaries Training: All active clergy, both ordained and commissioned, are required to complete six hours of Healthy Boundary Training for Clergy every four years beginning in 2020. Approved training is provided by the Northern Lights Region. Other options may be: courses offered by other regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) member denominations of Churches Uniting in Christ or trainings approved by the Commission on Ministry on a case by case basis.
Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Training: All active clergy, both ordained and commissioned, are required to complete six hours of Anti-Racism training every four years beginning in 2018. Approved training is provided by the Northern Lights Region. Other options may be: courses offered by other region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or trainings approved by the Commission on Ministry on a case by case basis.
Active clergy, including active retired, both ordained and commissioned who fail to complete either of the required trainings in the year they are due may have commissioning/standing removed, not for cause. Commissioning/standing may be reinstated after training is completed.
Special Circumstances:
You may access this information at any time by going to https://northernlightsdisciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Section-8.1-Clergy-Healthy-Boundary-Anti-Racism-Training-Policy-2019.pdf. It is the responsibility of each active clergy person to register for and complete training in the year it is required.
•Click here to read the GCOM Clergy Code of Ethics document.
•Click here to read the Northern Lights Region Clergy Misconduct Policy.
(Temporarily referring to the Northwest Region while policies continue to be reconciled in this time of merger.)