Clergy & Leaders
Everything you need.
In one place.
Standing, commissioned ministry, ordination, RCOM, training, policies, and continuing education—organized around the task you need to complete.
CLERGY DASHBOARD
What do you need to do?
Choose a topic to find the forms, information, and next steps you need.
Ordained Clergy & Standing
Standing requirements, renewal information, and resources for ordained ministers.
Commissioned Ministry
Information, requirements, and resources for commissioned ministers.
Ordination & RCOM
Explore the ordination process and the Regional Committee on Ministry.
Education & Training
Continuing education, Healthy Boundaries, anti-racism training, and CCSW Learn.
Ethics & Conduct
Ministerial codes of conduct, ethical standards, and reporting concerns.
New to CCSW
Start here for information about connecting with the Region and its ministries.
ORDAINED CLERGY
Standing & renewal.
Renew your ministerial standing and find the documents and information you need.
Renew your standing for 2027.
It is time for ordained ministers to complete the annual Request for Renewal of Standing form. Please submit your form by November 30, 2026, so your standing for 2027 can be processed in January.
If you know colleagues without access to a computer or smart device, please help them complete and submit their forms.
Education updates
RCOM's 2027 educational update and guidance on continuing education requirements.
Healthy Boundaries training every 5 years; Pro-Reconciliation / Anti-Racism (PR/AR) training every 3 years.
Ministerial directory
Consult the published list of CCSW ministers with standing.
The supplied PDF is labeled 2025; confirm the updated directory before labeling it 2026.
Important information for ministers
Key ministry policies, ethics documents, and RCOM references. Document links are shown in red.
Renewal of Standing
02/ MINISTRY PATHWAYS
Commissioned Ministry
One annual process. All the pieces together. Start the commissioning process, renew commissioned standing, submit congregational support materials, and prepare for your CCOM interview.
Three things to complete every year.
Submit both the commissioned minister form and the congregational support form.
Go to forms ↗Schedule and complete your annual interview.
Interview scheduling link coming soonComplete all annual education requirements.
View ministry resources ↗Apply for commissioned ministry.
Commissioned ministers seeking standing in the Southwest Region should complete the application form. Congregational leadership must also submit the appropriate support form.
To be completed by the congregation's moderator, president, or board leader.
Renew your standing.
Commissioned ministers must submit the annual renewal request and ensure their congregation submits the annual support form.
To be completed annually by the congregation's moderator, president, or board leader.
Know a colleague without access to a computer or smart device? Please help them complete and submit their form.
Policies & ministry resources.
Select the document and language you need. Document links are highlighted in red.
Forms are subject to the CCSW privacy policy and SMS terms of service ↗
The ordination process, in one place.
Ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a journey of discernment involving the candidate, sponsoring congregation, Region, and wider Church. The Southwest Regional Committee on Ministry (RCOM) oversees this process, including required documentation and interviews.
Upcoming RCOM meetings
RCOM meets three times a year. Documentation must be submitted 60 days before the meeting to be considered for a possible interview appointment.
Four stages of discernment
The ordination process includes preparation and a series of interviews with RCOM. The official process guides below provide the detailed requirements for each stage.
Initial preparation
Meet regional staff, submit personal data, complete disclosure materials, and prepare the initial documentation.
Initial interview
Discuss your call, education, work, current church setting, and beginning the journey with a sponsoring congregation.
Intermediate interviews
Explore theology, Scripture, Disciples identity, ministry, education, psychological assessment, and congregational care.
Ordination interview
Final preparation, review of ministry materials, and conversation with RCOM about readiness for ordained ministry.
Know what comes next.
Steps in the Ordination Process
A guide to the interviews, preparation, and documentation involved in the ordination process.
Recognition of Ordination & Transfer of Standing
Information about the interviews and preparation involved in recognition of ordination and transfer of standing.
Forms for the ordination process
Access the official application materials below. Some documents are fillable PDFs and may need to be downloaded before completing them. Forms J and I are used later in the process for the ordination interview.
Personal Data
Personal information form for candidates entering the ordination process.
Open document ↗Application for Candidacy
The fillable application to begin candidacy for ordination.
Open application ↗Introductory Memo
Completed by Regional Ministry Staff as part of the candidate's documentation.
View form ↗Disclosure & Background Materials
CCSW Disclosure Release Form for candidates entering the ordination process.
Open document ↗Apprentice Track Guidelines & Additional Data
Guidelines and additional data form for candidates exploring the Apprentice Track.
Open apprentice materials ↗Materials for Ordination Interview
Forms J and I contain materials for candidates preparing for their ordination interview.
Open Forms J & I ↗Support along the journey.
Sharing the Journey
A guide for congregations with candidates for ordination. After the initial interview, share this document with your congregational care committee.
View congregational guide ↗Psychological Assessment
Candidates accepted into the ordination process must complete the Standard Clergy Candidacy Inventory through The Center for Integrative Counseling and Psychology in Dallas, Texas, after the initial interview and before the intermediate interview.
After each RCOM session, the Region provides The Center with the names of candidates who need the assessment. Candidates are responsible for scheduling and completing it before their next interview. Costs are recommended to be shared by the sponsoring congregation, candidate, and Region, with payment coordinated through the Regional office.
Request assessment information ↗Policies & ministry resources
Important reference documents for candidates and ministers. Links to documents are highlighted in red.