The CWCOM Profile Series

Over the next several weeks, the Conference Wide Committee on Ministry (CWCOM) will share different aspects of our work in an effort to clarify different roles and responsibilities and point towards resources for additional information.  If there are particular topics you would like included in this series, please email Ronda Connaway, Accountability Subcommittee co-chair at acs@rmcucc.org.

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It may surprise folks to hear that “Retirement” is not an official standing in the United Church of Christ. Retirement is an employment related decision, as in, I’m no longer working full or part-time. At this juncture, there are only two designations for ministers to consider: One can either continue with standing as an Authorized Minister or select Exempt Standing.

An Authorized Minister is required to fulfill ongoing professional development expectations set for by the CWCOM and allows for the continuation of public ministry functions like Pulpit Supply, officiating life-cycle rituals, Sacraments, and circulating a profile. Exempt Standing denotes the conclusion of all kinds of public ministry and allows for modified expectations related to ongoing professional development expectations set for by the CWCOM.

Detailed information about Exempt Standing can be found in the Manual on Ministry, pg. 56-57.

To learn more about the CWCOM and to get in-touch with its various subcommittee co-chairs, please visit the RMC’s CWCOM page.