Clergy Standing Transfer Form

- Step 1 of 15

Introduction

Are you new to the Region?
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.

Please have your last Region's office send a letter (hard copy or email) that affirms your good standing until your relocation.

Have your ordination date and dates/locations/host of your last Clergy Healthy Boundaries training and Anti-Racism training handy. If you don't have exact information available, please give approximations and note that you will correct them when possible.

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!

Are you ready? Then let's get started!

Please note: Each section is it's own "page" but the form will not save if you leave the site.

Name Details

Your Minister PIN (Issued by the CCDOC Office of Christian Vocation)

Minister PIN

I do not know my PIN or have not yet been issued one.

Name *

First

Middle

Last

Please use your COMPLETE legal name.

Nickname or Common Name

Example: Robert = Bob or Rob

Preferred Pronouns *

He/His
She/Her
They/Them
Prefer not to answer.

Spouse or Partner's Name

Mailing Address

Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Phone Numbers

Home Phone Number

Mobile Phone Number

Work Phone Number

Which of these phone numbers is your primary contact location? *

Home
Mobile
Work

You must have at least one phone number where you can be reached.

Email Address

Primary Email Address *

The email address you would like the Northern Lights Regional Office to use for *all* email from the Region.

Regional Email Opt-In

Yes, add my email address!
No thanks, I don't need to be included in Regional news.
I already receive them.

If you do not already receive email from the Region's MailChimp distribution service, would you like your primary email address to be added on your behalf?

Vital Statistics

Date of Birth *

Ethnicity *

African American
Asian
European Descent
Haitian
Hispanic
Middle Eastern
Native American/First Nations
Pacific Islander
Other

Order of Ministry

Are you an Ordained Minister or are you seeking Commissioning? *

Ordained Minister
Seeking Commissioning

Those seeking Commissioning will complete this form at the request of the Commission on Ministry of the Northern Lights Region.

With what denomination were you ordained? *

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
United Church of Christ
Other Denomination

If you selected "Other Denomination" please specify:

Example: Catholic Church, Independent, Methodist, etc.

Region and State of current standing *

Example: Northern Lights Region, Washington

Date of Ordination *

Ordination Location

Include Church name, City, and State

My ministry is best described as: *

Criteria for Continuation of Annual Standing for Active Ministers

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]

Current Ministry Position- Employer

Current Ministry Position- Employer Address

Current Ministry Position Start Date

Is your current ministry position work Full Time or Part Time employment?

Full Time
Part Time

This is a position...

Other Employer

Other Employer- Address

Date Other Employment Began

Is your other employment Full Time or Part Time work?

Full Time
Part Time

Advanced Degrees

Master's
Doctorate

Study and Growth

Qualifications for Standing include participation in “programs of study, research, growth, renewal.” Theological Foundations and Policies and Criteria for the Order of Ministry [II.F.2.b.ii]

Please briefly describe what programs of study, research, growth, renewal, etc, you have engaged in during the last year. *

Clergy Healthy Boundaries and Anti-Racism Training

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:

In-care candidates seeking ordination, commissioning or standing should complete the trainings as they are offered and must complete Healthy Boundary training prior to approval for ordination, commissioning or standing.
Pastors transferring standing from another region should enter the training cycle at the earliest opportunity. The pastor must also either have completed a Healthy Boundary Training within the past 4 years, or complete an approved course within one year.
Inactive retired clergy are not required to complete these trainings. However, inactive retired clergy who wish to re-enter active ministry must enter the training cycle at the earliest opportunity. If the pastor has not participated in a Healthy Boundary training within the past 4 years, an approved course must be completed within one year.

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.

Your most recent Clergy Healthy Boundary training: *

Your most recent Anti-Racism training: *

Maintenance of Relationship with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

“Standing continues so long as the minister maintains relations with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), including participating membership in a recognized congregation in the community where feasible.” Theological Foundations and Policies and Criteria for the Order of Ministry [II.F.2.b.iii]

I am a member/regular participant at: *

Please also use this space to indicate if you are in the process of finding a new church community or need assistance finding a good fit.

Select all the activities of participation with the wider church you have engaged in over the last year.

General Assembly
Regional Assembly
Area Assembly or Gathering
Camps/Outdoor Ministry
Ecumenical Participation
Women's/Men's Retreats
Regional or Church Boards, Commissions, Committees
Others

You've selected "Others" among your activities with the wider church in the last year. Please tell us more about those other events/programs.

Getting to Know You Better

The Commission on Ministry appreciates your willingness to share about your degrees, certifications, and passions. We use this information a variety of ways, such as to help keep track of appropriate clergy titles (such as Rev. Dr.) or create a list of those who might be approached to participate in a ministry group or event.

Professional Certifications

Pastoral Counselor
Chaplain
Spiritual Director
Website Technology
Appreciative Inquiry
Boundary Leader Training
Church Revitalization Training
Conflict Facilitation and Mediation
Intentional Interim Ministry

Passions and Interests

Stewardship
Creation Ministries
New Church Ministries
Youth Ministries
Directing/Counseling Camps and Retreats
Global Ministries
Regional Board
Turner Lectures
Justice/Peace Leadership
Disciples History/Polity
Grant Writing
Church Transformation
Others

You've selected "Others" among your passions and interests. Please tell us more about this selection or elaborate on other certifications and details you'd like to share.

Affirmations

Please indicate you have read and affirm the following documents: *

My Ministerial Code of Ethics

NLR Misconduct Policy *

Northern Lights Region Clergy Misconduct Policy

•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.)

Optional Questions and Notes to the Commission on Ministry

Is there any other information you wish to share, clarifications you'd like to make, or questions you have for the NLR Commission on Ministry? Please use this space.

Signature & Preferences

By typing your name and date below and pressing the "Submit" button, you acknowledge that you are accountable for the information submitted and that the answers to the questions above will be used to determine your Ministerial Standing status with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Northern Lights Region and with the General Office of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Name *

First

Last

Regional Directory Preference

I DO want my contact information will be included as often as the Northern Lights Region Directory is updated.
I do NOT wish to have my contact information included in the Regional Directory this year.

Pulpit Supply: Clergy who are Retired-Inactive status are not eligible to engage in Pulpit Supply.

I WOULD like my name and contact information to be included for consideration of Pulpit Supply opportunities this year.

Thank you!

We value your time and appreciate that you've completed this form. Welcome to the Northern Lights Region- we look forward to working in ministry alongside you!

Name