Page 11 - Set Apart Ministry 2017
P. 11
1
RECEIVING MINISTERS FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS
Congregations may call a pastor presently ordained in the Church of the Brethren, since
this implies approval of the District Board. A congregation may not call a pastor from
another denomination without following these guidelines in consultation with the district
executive.
An ordained minister from another denomination wishing to serve in ministerial
leadership and be credentialed in the Church of the Brethren must enter into an
intentional time of discernment and orientation overseen by the District Ministry
Commission. The word denomination refers to a church body that has established
standards and procedures, similar to the connectional polity of the Church of the
Brethren, for calling, educating, and ordaining persons for ministerial leadership. During
this period the individual may serve as a Commissioned Minister for a term of service.
This period, which should last no less than 2 years, will include:
1. Documentation of ministerial standing and satisfactory written assurance from
the appropriate ordaining group within the minister’s denomination as to his or
her moral, spiritual, leadership, and educational qualifications required by Church
of the Brethren polity.
2. Orientation to Church of the Brethren history, theology, beliefs, polity and
practices through courses in these areas offered through Bethany Theological
Seminary or the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership.
3. Prayerful discernment about which ministry circle the individual is being called to
enter.
4. Any additional education and/or training required for a particular ministry circle.
5. Regular meetings with a discernment cohort group.
6. A completed background check.
7. Completion of approved ministerial ethics training.
8. Verbal commitment in the “transfer of ordination interview” and a public
commitment at the time of installation to teach and uphold the beliefs, practices,
and polity of the Church of the Brethren.
9. Provide a written acceptance of the ordination polity and policies of the Church of
the Brethren in completing the “Pre-Ordination Interview Guide.”
An ordained minister from another denomination wishing to serve in ministerial
leadership without transferring credentials to the Church of the Brethren may serve as a
I.
1 Ministerial Leadership – 2014 (pgs. 19-20)
- 11 -