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INTRODUCTION TO THE CODES
This section of the Manual contains the following codes: The Ordained Minister's Code The Commissioned Minister's Code
- The Licensed Minister's Code The Local Church in Relation to Its Pastor
Previous editions of the Manual on Ministry have contained "The Pastor's Code" and "The Spirit of the Congregation." The codes in this section follow in the spirit of these previous documents.
The Purpose of the Codes
The primary purpose of the codes is to give expression to
and facilitate conversations about the commonly held values and
expectations of the Church in relation to the "Partners"
described on pages 6 to 16.
The codes address themselves to issues of commitment, ethics and
etiquette. They recognize that in the case of each item dealt
with in the codes there is significant meaning and value ascribed
by the Church to behavior in that realm. While there may be significant
diversity within the Church in relation to any specific item,
that item does represent an arena in which church people and groups
have values and make judgments about the actions of ministers
and churches.
The codes seek to recognize and express the experience of the Church, to name those behaviors which are not acceptable by the Church, and to name those understandings and behaviors which are valued by the Church in the last two decades of the twentieth century.
The codes are provided for ministers and churches to discuss with each other their values and expectations. Thus, they are placed here in the "Partners in Authorizing Ministry" section of the Manual rather than in the "Review and Discipline" section of the Manual.
The Use of the Codes
The codes may be used pastorally by any of the covenantal
partners to surface and address specific areas of expectation
they have of an ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister or
local church of which the minister or local church may be unaware.
The codes may be used as teaching tools to help newly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers to identify the many different spheres in which behavior is viewed, valued, and assessed.
The codes may be used in times of conflict to enable persons to talk with one another about the underlying assumptions and unspoken expectations they have, which are producing suspicion or alienation, so that reconciliation may occur.
The codes may be used in settings where partners, such as a minister, local church, calling body, or Committee on the Ministry, are exploring the meaning of their potential covenantal relationship (e.g., interviewing, negotiating the terms of a call, etc.).
The
codes, or adaptations of them, may be used in liturgical settings
to provide content to the vows covenantal partners make to one
another.
The codes may be used in review and disciplinary procedures, to enable persons and groups to clarify the values, assumptions, and expectations they are making about the commitments and actions of one another.
The Organization of the Codes
Each of the codes has five subsections. Following is a brief warrant
for each of the sections with a biblical passage.
The Ministry. God has always graced the Church with persons who are called by God and the Church to provide specific leadership and care for upbuilding the Church. Much as the early Church made decisions about who among its members would be designated and authorized for specific functions (Acts 1:2 1-26; 6:1-6), the United Church of Christ also sets persons apart for specific functions in and on its behalf.
Partnership in Ministry. All ministry is the ministry of the Church and continues the ministry of Jesus Christ. The ministry of the whole people of God and the ministry of those set apart for specific functions is joined in partnership to witness to the unity of Christ's Church and its mission. Through the contribution of each, the whole body is equipped for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16).
The Ethics of Ministry. Christian faith is expressed by deed as well as by word. All those set aside for specific ministries in and on behalf of the Church, while among those who fall short of the fullness of God, are nonetheless called to live an exemplary life (I Peter 5: 1 -1 1 and I Thessalonians 2:9-12), so that behavior is itself a witness to the faith and contributes to the health of the Church.
Growth in Ministry. The tasks of ministry are demanding and, as was a recognition in the early Church, the gifts for ministry need to be developed so that the Church can see their growth (I Timothy 4:14- 15).
Commitments in Ministry. Persons who serve in ministries in and on behalf of the Church are called, as are all Christians, to incarnate the love of God, neighbor and self in all dimensions of their lives (Matthew 22:37-39).
Summary
There is always tension between being too general and too specific in a code. The usefulness of a code is in making explicit those values and expectations which, when present but unspoken, lead to breakdowns in communication and community. The danger of a code is in using it as a guise to attack or impugn another.
The purpose of the codes is to facilitate building up the Body of Christ through mutual understanding, agreement and reconciliation. When the codes are used to tear down, punish, divide, or alienate, then they are being misused and violate the spirit in which they are offered to the Church.
The Commissioned Minister's Code
THE LOCAL CHURCH IN RELATION TO ITS PASTOR
The Ministry
This local church recognizes itself as a part of the People of God and fulfills its purpose as it becomes a community for ministry and mission. We recognize our pastor as a person called by God who has attained particular skill and competence in leading our local church in fulfilling its mission and ministry.
We have called our pastor to preach and teach the gospel, to administer the sacraments and rites of the Church, and to exercise pastoral care and leadership. As we expect the pastor to be responsible in preaching and teaching the gospel and in administering the sacraments and rites, so will we be responsible for receiving and heeding the Word of God which comes through the proclamation of the gospel and the celebration of the sacraments, and for responding to the pastoral care and leadership offered.
Partnership in Ministry
We believe that the ministry and mission of the Church is given
to all baptized Christians. We will nurture and join our gifts
for ministry with those of the pastor in the Church and in the
world.
In all matters pertaining to the life, organization, and mission of this local church, we will work cooperatively and collegially with the pastor.
We recognize that our church and our pastor are part of the larger faith community which is the United Church of Christ and we will be, and support our pastor in being, a responsible participant in our Association, Conference, and the United Church of Christ.
We recognize that our church and our pastor are part of the Church Universal and we will be, and support our pastor in being, a responsible participant in ecumenical activities in order to strengthen the unity, witness and mission of the Church everywhere.
The
Ethics of Ministry
We will regard all persons with equal respect and concern, and support and expect our pastor to undertake to minister impartially. We will not discriminate against any person, group or organization on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, faith, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, or physical, mental or emotional disability.
We recognize that we have called our pastor as the pastoral leader of this local church, and we will not invite other pastors to provide pastoral services within this church or to members of this church without our pastor's consent.
We recognize and respect that our pastor receives confidential and privileged communication.
We will establish policies regarding baptism, communion, marriages, funerals, use of church facilities, and personnel in consultation with our pastor and will honor them in our life as a local church.
We respect the privacy of the pastor's family and the family's right to time together without interruption.
We do not expect the pastor's family to assume roles of leadership or levels of involvement beyond the family's wishes.
We recognize that conflict or tension between our pastor and the local church can arise. Should divisive tensions threaten our life together, we will seek the counsel of the Conference or Association Minister or the Association Committee on the Ministry.
Growth in Ministry
We recognize the need for regular assessment of the relationship between our pastor and our local church and we will make provision for this -
We recognize our pastor's need for continued growth and we will provide time, money and encouragement for participation in continuing education.
Commitments in Ministry
We recognize the many and diverse expectations we have of our pastor and we will offer our support through prayer, encouragement, and partnership in the ministry of this church.
We recognize our responsibility to provide our pastor with adequate compensation and fringe benefits. We will make these decisions in consultation with our pastor and in light of the compensation guidelines established by our Conference, We will provide for an annual review of compensation which considers effectiveness, cost of living, ministerial competence, and years of service.
We recognize our pastor's need for physical and spiritual renewal and we will provide adequate time and resources for study, devotion, leisure, vacation, and sabbatical.
Relying on the grace of God, we will lead lives worthy of the calling to which we have been called.
