Regional Committee on Ministry

The following information is available for your review:

Ministerial Code of Ethics

In 1944 a ministerial code of ethics for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was published by Disciples Home Missions. That code was developed over a period of several years through the efforts of a widely diverse church-wide committee. It was reviewed and refined as dozens of ministers' associations and fellowships and hundreds of individuals responded to the committee's request for evaluation of the document. A General Church committee has periodically reviewed the Code of Ethics. Occasionally, editorial changes have been made. The General Commission on Ministry and its predecessor, the General Board Task Force on Ministry, have worked over the past several years with The Disciples Home Missions to update the code of ethics. Proposed changes have been reviewed by regional commissions on ministry as well as by many individuals. The revised code of ethics maintains much of the language of the original; the principles which guide ministry remain the same from generation to generation. The ministerial code of ethics has withstood the test of time and is commended to be read and followed by all ministers as a high code of professional conduct.

Click here to review the Ministerial Code of Ethics of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (HTML).

Standing Information

This document is excerpted from the Policy and Criteria for the Order of Ministry for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Click here to download the "Standing Information" document (PDF).

Policies and Criteria for the Order of Ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Within the ministry of the whole people of God there is and has been from the beginning a representative ministry called of God and authorized by the church. While all Christians share in the corporate ministry, the term "minister" particularly describes a person to whom the church entrusts representative responsibility. Through the centuries this Order of Ministry, in various offices, has been responsible to lead in transmitting the Christian tradition from one generation to another, translating and interpreting the Scriptures, proclaiming the gospel of Christ, administering the sacraments, serving to maintain a company of Christians in continuity with the life and faith of the Apostles and acting as pioneers and leaders in the church’s reconciling mission in the world.

The document includes Procedure for Response and Mutual Recognition of United Church of Christ Ministers.

Click here to download the "Order of Ministry" document (PDF).

On Licensed Ministry

This document is an amendment to the Policies and Criteria for the Order of Ministry accepted by Southwest Regional Council, March 2, 2001.

The Committees on Ministry for the North Texas Area and the Trinity-Brazos Area of the Southwest Region believe the current classifications within the office of licensed minister can be streamlined and updated. The dignity and variety of our ministers serving with licenses--chaplains, preachers, musicians, educators, overseas workers, counselors, and so many more--need to be recognized, and that recognition needs to be unified under a single title. Over the years, the old titles, Commissioned Church Worker and Licensed Lay Preacher, have become, at best inexact, and at worst disparaging. Because of their desire to simplify and unify the process of licensing and because of their desire to confer appropriate respect to all our ministers, the following amendment is proposed.

Click here to download the "On Licensed Ministry" document (PDF).

Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing for Disciples Pastors

This document is a Disciples pastor's guide to ministry relationship with the United Church of Christ. The document is in the form of a one-page graphic "road map."

Click here to download the "Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing for Disciples Pastors" document (PDF).

Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing for UCC Pastors

This document is a USS pastor's guide to ministry relationship with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The document is in the form of a one-page graphic "road map."

Click here to download the "Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing for UCC Pastors" document (PDF).

Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy

Sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and employee sexual harassment constitute clergy sexual misconduct. Clergy sexual misconduct is unacceptable in the Christian Church in the Southwest and may lead to removal of ministerial standing. Approved by the Regional Council, February, 2005 for adoption January, 2006.

Click here to download the "Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy" document (PDF).

Reinstatement of Standing

Procedures for the reinstatement of standing following removal due to misconduct OR relinquishment of standing linked to misconduct. Approved as RCOM Practice 1/23/2007.

Click here to download the "Reinstatement of Standing" document (PDF).

Congregational Covenant

This document is a sample covenant between a congregation and person seeking standing as a licensed minister within an area.

Click here to download the Congregational Covenant document (PDF).

Revised Educational Requirements for Ordination and Standing by Call 2002