Continuing Education Policy - COM 9 Logo

  • CONTINUING EDUCATION POLICY FOR CCMA MINISTERS - COM 9
    Adopted by the Regional Commission on the Order of Ministry (RCOM) August 2006
    Revised August 2021

     

    Mid-America Regional Continuing Education Policy for
    Commissioned & Ordained Ministers

    This Policy applies to all Commissioned and Ordained Ministers having Standing with the Mid-America Region; with the exception of Ordained Ministers whose Ministerial Status is Retired-Inactive (R-i). An Inactive Retiree is defined as the following: A Christian Church (DOC) Minister who no longer retains a covenantal relationship or receives any financial income from a Congregation or recognized ministerial entity. Any Clergy who receives payment for ministerial services is considered “Active.”

    This policy underscores the importance of Mid-America Regional Clergy continuing their development in and understanding of Pastoral Ministry. Congregations are dependent on educated and competent Ministers to enrich both ministry and mission within the community and around the world.  This Policy also emphasizes the covenant that binds Clergy, Congregation, and Region together in an ever-changing culture and society. We serve in covenant with one another to better understand and face the changing nuances and challenges in ministry.


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    I. Continuing Education Policy

    Each minister (Ordained or Commissioned) in Mid-America is required to spend a minimum of 15 hours annually in continuing education. Within that time allocation, up to 6 hours (clock hours) may be spent in self-guided study. In classroom or seminar settings, an hour shall be defined as a 50-minute contact period. Ministers may read as many books as they desire in any given year but can only identify six (6) hours as continuing education, self-guided.


    II. Boundaries Training Policy

    1. Each minister (Commissioned or Ordained) in the Christian Church of Mid-America is required to participate in an-approved Boundaries Training and will receive a certificate for that event. Each year the Regional Commission on the Order of Ministry (RCOM) will offer resources for ministers to consider in completing this requirement.

    Educational events sponsored by the United Church of Christ will be accepted by RCOM. Opportunities offered by other Disciple Regions, denominations or organizations may be acceptable, if first approved by the Regional Ministers or RCOM Coordinator.

    2. Participation in Boundaries training is required within each three-year period thereafter. Courses will be posted on the CCMA web site. Introductory and advanced courses will be offered. All approved boundaries training courses must be at least 6 hours in length and may be counted as part of the annual 15-hour continuing education requirement in the year in which it is taken.


    III. Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation (AR/PR) Training Policy 

    1. Each minister (Commissioned or Ordained) in the Christian Church of Mid-America is required to participate in an approved Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation training (AR/PR) and receive a certificate for that event. Each year the Commission, with the aid of the Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Justice Ministries, will offer courses, workshops, and other educational events to complete this requirement. Educational events sponsored by the United Church of Christ will be accepted by RCOM, if approved by Regional Ministers or RCOM Coordinator.

    2. Participation in AR/PR training is required within each three-year period thereafter. 1.0 & 2.0 courses will be made available. 1.0 courses must be taken first and may be repeated. 2.0 courses introduced the subject of community action for change. Any approved AR/PR training course must be at least 6 hours in length and may be counted as part of the annual 15-hour continuing education requirement in the year in which it is taken.

     
    IV. Compliance

    1. A Continuing Education Report form will be available each year to be completed and returned by January 15th of the following year to certify completion of the requirements for Continuing Education. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) certificates can be submitted with the Report form when available, but ultimately compliance is on the honor system. COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING THE CONTINUING EDUCATION REPORT FORM IS AN ANNUAL REQUIREMENT FOR ALL COMMISSIONED AND ORDAINED CLERGY IN THE MID-AMERICA REGION.

    2. The completed Continuing Education Report forms will be reviewed each year. Following the due date (January 15th), one email will be sent to remind any clergy whose CE report has not been received. A record of receipt of completed CE reports will be maintained in the office of “Ministerial Support and Accountability.”

    3. When Clergy submit their Minister’s Profile for circulation through the Disciples’ Search and Call process, the Regional Minister’s Reference will note the annual completion of the Continuing Education process, or the lack of that activity. If the candidate is in non-compliance, the Reference form will note that lack, and suggest the candidate be engaged in conversation by the Search Committee about the importance of ongoing education for the candidate and in the life and ministry of the congregation.

    If Boundary Training and/or Anti-Racism/Pro-reconciliation Training is not up to date, a Regional Reference will not be written until these training units have been updated.

    4. If a Minister is participating in an ambitious education program (e.g., a degree program or a certified training program for Pastoral Ministry) and amasses more than 15 continuing education hours each year, (contact hours, not academic credit hours), the minister may carry those additional hours over into the succeeding year. Hours may only be extended over one following year.

    5. If personal hardship or other extenuating circumstances prevent a minister from meeting the Continuing Education requirements, the minister may contact the RCOM Coordinator to request an alternate plan or a waiver.

    6. In most cases Continuing Education, Boundaries Training, and Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation units required or accepted in other Regions will be given full credit in the Mid-America Region.

    7. Ways in which these requirements may be met include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:

    • study one or more texts from a list of suggested works audiotapes, or videotapes or webinars on substantive topics;
    • complete a unit of clinical pastoral education (CPE);
    • complete a college or graduate level course;
    • complete a course in the the Ministers Training Program course through Phillips Theological Seminary;
    • complete a seminary on-line course;
    • complete a course in a Doctor of Ministry program;
    • attend a seminary-sponsored Minister’s Week;
    • attend resource groups at a General or Regional assembly;
    • attend a lecture series (as offered at Drury, Culver-Stockton and elsewhere);
    • attend a professional training seminar related to ministry;
    • participate in spiritual discipline retreat;
    • prepare for and teach a higher education/continuing education course.

    8. In support of ministers and their efforts to meet these requirements the Christian Church of Mid-America, in conjunction with the Regional Commission on the Order of Ministry, will collaborate with educational institutions to:

    • maintain and publish timely notices of continuing education opportunities.
    • encourage congregations to allow time and money for ministers’ continuing education.
    • develop continuing education/professional development opportunities within clergy clusters (this could be an especially good setting for enhancing practical skills and learning how others approach issues and solve problems in congregational life).
    • periodically update and provide a suggested reading list suitable for helping ministers continue their professional and spiritual growth.

    9. RCOM may find it necessary to maintain a standing Committee on Continuing Education to oversee such things as:

    • developing and updating necessary procedures.
    • forming the necessary partnerships with Regions, Regional Commissions, as well as seminaries/other institutions within the Region and in adjacent Regions, for the purpose of assist ministers in meeting their continuing education needs.

     

    This document went into effect on August 12, 2021.

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