Authorized and Lay Ministers

Requirements for Authorized Ministerial Standing
  • Membership in a PNCUCC congregation
  • Annual Information Review completed and returned
  • Annual Meeting attendance or excused
  • Authorized and Lay Ministers in the Pacific Northwest Conference shall have a Committee on Ministry approved Boundary Training once every three years in order to maintain their standing. Good professional boundaries allow ministry and those who do it to thrive with health and wholeness. Through the lens of clergy wellness, authorized ministers will renew their understanding of and develop skills for maintaining boundaries in an ever-shifting ministry landscape.
    • The Initial Boundary Training is to be an orientation course, more comprehensive than the follow up Boundary Trainings. Most Boundary Trainings are available by Zoom. The orientation training should be interactive, rather than self-directed.
    • Trainings approved by the Committee on Ministry include:
    • Following Boundary Trainings, after the initial training, are required every three years. Trainings approved by the Committee on Ministry include:
      • MESA (Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization a national team of the UCC) trainings for Retired Minsters and Specialized Ministers, offered occasionally throughout the year at no cost. (Dates are in the PNC Weekly eNews)
      • Boundary Training from other United Church of Christ Conferences.
    • There may be other boundary trainings of interest to you. These must be approved by the Committee on Ministry prior to registering.
    • Upon completion of the Boundary Training , please send your Certificate of Completion to office@pnc.org to be recorded and placed in your ministerial file.
  • In support of the General Synod Resolution and the PNC’s Anti Racism Vote, the Committee on Ministry is including a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) training requirement for all Authorized and Lay Ministers (parish, specialized, retired, dual standing, privilege of call) to maintain Standing in the PNC UCC. DEIB trainings are designed to help create an environment where “all” community members feel supported, able to grow, thrive and advance. Training to meet this requirement must be completed by the end of 2026, with certificate of completion sent to the PNC office, to maintain Standing. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Training requirements (posted 05/31/2025)
Scholarships

There are three scholarship funds available for financial support on an as-needed basis for clergy and MIDs. The Conference Minister administers the Clergy Education Fund for PNCUCC clergy for PNCUCC required trainings to enhance professional development. The Committee on Ministry (COM) with the Stewardship Committee administer the Mayer Family Endowed Scholarship Fund which supports PNCUCC ministers pursuing graduate or doctoral studies in ministry and/or theology. COM administers the Members In Discernment Fund for educational expenses for those preparing for ministry. Annually COM will contact all eligible MIDs to inform them of this opportunity. Community of Practice (COP) Scholarships are administered by the Coordinator of COPs. The Committee on Ministry chairs (East and West) can connect you with the COP coordinator.