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 "Active" and "Retired-Active" Commissioned and Ordained Ministers with Standing in the Mid-America Region. Ministers that are "Retired-Inactive" are no longer required to maintain annual Standing requirements. 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 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
A Minister with Standing in the Mid-America Region is required to invest a minimum of 15 hours each year in pursuing Continuing Education (CE). A maximum of 6 CE credit hours may be spent in self-guided Study. In Classroom or Seminar settings, one hour shall be defined as a 50-minute contact period. A Minister can read as many books as they desire, but at least 9 CE credit hours should come from activities other than reading.
II. Boundaries Training (BT) Policy
1. Each Minister (Commissioned or Ordained) in the Christian Church of Mid-America is required to participate in Boundaries Training (or an approved equivalent) and will receive a Certificate for that event. Each year the Regional Commission on the Order of Ministry (RCOM) will provide Resources to assist Ministers with earning CE credit hours.
Educational events sponsored outside of the Mid-America Region by the United Church of Christ (UCC) and other Disciples Regions are also honored. Opportunities through other Denominations or Organizations may also be acceptable if approved by a Regional Minister or the RCOM Coordinator.
2. Participation in Boundaries Training (BT) is required every 3 years. Courses will be posted on the CCMA Website. Introductory and advanced courses will be offered. All approved BT courses must be at least 6 hours in length and may be counted as part of the annual CE credit hour requirement in the year prior to the Reporting Year.
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), or an approved equivalent, and receive a Certificate for that event. Each year the Regional Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Justice Ministries (ARPRJM) Team will offer courses, Workshops, and/or other Educational events to complete this requirement. Educational events sponsored outside of the Mid-America Region by the United Church of Christ (UCC) and other Disciples Regions are also honored. Opportunities through other Denominations or Organizations may also be acceptable if approved by a Regional Minister or the RCOM Coordinator.
2. Participation in AR/PR Training is required every three years. Level 1.0 & 2.0 courses will be made available. Level 1.0 courses must be taken first and can be repeated. Level 2.0 courses introduce the topic of 'community action for change.' All approved AR/PR courses must be at least 6 hours in length and may be counted as part of the annual CE credit hour requirement in the year prior to the Reporting Year.
IV. Compliance
1. A Professional Development Report Form (formerly referred to as 'Continuing Education Report Form') will be available each year to be completed and returned by January 31st of the Reporting Year. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Certificates can be submitted with the Report Form, but ultimately compliance is on the honor system. COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT FORM IS AN ANNUAL REQUIREMENT FOR ALL COMMISSIONED AND ORDAINED CLERGY IN THE MID-AMERICA REGION.
2. The completed Professional Development Report Form will be reviewed each year. A record of receipt for completed annual Standing Forms will be maintained in the office of “Ministerial Support and Accountability.”
3. When Clergy submit their Ministerial Profile for circulation through the Disciples Home Missions (DHM) Office of Search and Call, the Regional Minister’s Reference will note completion of the annual CE credit hour requirement, or the lack thereof. If a Minister is in non-compliance, the Reference Form will suggest engagement in conversation with the Search Committee about the importance of ongoing Education in the life and Ministry of the Congregation.
Both Boundary Training and Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Training must be current for a Regional Reference to be fulfilled.
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 CE credit hours in a given year - contact hours, not academic credit hours - the Minister can carry those additional hours over into the following Reporting Year, if they so choose.
5. Should personal hardship or other extenuating circumstance prevent a Minister from fulfilling the annual Continuing Education requirements, the Minister may contact their Regional Minister or the RCOM Coordinator to request an alternate plan or a waiver.
6. CE credit hours can come from a variety of Sources, including (but not limited to) the following:
• media related to substantive topics including articles, books, audio and/or video recordings;
• Podcasts and/or Webinars;
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE);
• College or graduate-level Coursework;
• Ministerial Training Program through Phillips Theological Seminary (PTS) or another Seminary;
• Doctor of Ministry Program;
• Seminary-sponsored Minister’s Week;
• Resource Groups at a General and/or Regional Assembly;
• Lecture Series (as offered at Drury, Culver-Stockton, etc.);
• Professional Training Seminar related to Ministry;
• Spiritual Discipline Retreat;
• Bible Study; and
• materials used in Sermon preparation.
7. In support of Ministers that comply with annual requirements to maintain Standing with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and in conjunction with the Regional Commission on the Order of Ministry (RCOM), the Mid-America Region 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 and otheer professional development opportunities within Clergy Clusters. This is a great opportunity for Ministers to enhance their practical skills and learn how colleagues approach and resolve issues in the Congregational setting.
• Periodically update and provide a suggested Reading List suitable for helping Ministers continue their professional and spiritual growth.
8. RCOM may find it necessary to maintain a Standing Committee on Continuing Education to oversee such things as:
• Developing and updating necessary procedures.
• Forming necessary partnerships with other Regions, Regional Commissions, Seminaries, and other Institutions to support Ministers.
This document went into effect on August 12, 2021.