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In Care A-19
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The in care relationship is one that church, a seminary and peers. A local appropriate for those seeking • A letter of application from
exists between a student preparing for church that has a member in care of commissioned ministry, and for those the person.
ordination, his or her local church, an association needs to show who may not have decided to pursue
• Verification of the person's
and association. The in care appreciation and support for that ordination until after their student
membership in a local church of
relationship provides support, person. years
the United Church of Christ,
counsel, assistance and supervision The Constitution and Bylaws of
during the person's preparation for Common Practices the United Church of Christ define • Three letters of reference, including
ordained ministry. This relationship is students in care and outline one from the pastor of the local
directed by the association committee Most persons become in care of an requirements for the in care church.
on the ministry. The pastor and local association during college or relationship. • Background material, including the
church leaders are responsible for seminary. It is expected that they will person's life pilgrimage, biography,
insuring that this is a healthy, be in care from the time they make understanding of call,
Responsibilities
sustaining relationship of genuine their decision to prepare for ordained documentation of formal education
interest and concern. ministry. Minimally, they are In care procedures and perspectives and educational plans.
expected to be in care at least one for association committees on the • A description of the process used
History and year before ordination. Most students ministry are outlined in Manual on by the local church to interview
Background are in care for several years, with an Ministry: Perspectives and and recommend the person.
annual review of their progress and Procedures for Ecclesiastical
All Christians are called to carry out development each year by the Authorization of Ministry. (Order • If the application is accepted by the
God's work in the world. All those association committee on the from United Church of Christ association committee on the
who are baptized are ministers, in ministry. Resources. Telephone, toll-free, 800- ministry, the candidate is inter-
whatever form of work they do. From Associations relate to their in care 537-3394.) The manual describes viewed by the association
the earliest times of the church, students in a variety of ways. In some responsibilities of the student (or committee on the ministry to
however, through the "laying on of associations the relationship may be a other candidate), the student's local determine fitness, aptitude,
hands," some were set apart to formality, especially if the student church and the association or Christian experience and
administer the sacraments, preach and does not consult the advisor. In conference. commitment.
perform other church-related others the students relate closely to an • If the candidate is accepted in care,
A person desiring to prepare for
functions. The United Church of advisor who guides them as they the committee appoints an advisor
authorized ministry asks the official
Christ comes from a tradition that make course decisions and career from a group of advisors. The com-
board of his or her church to
values educated clergy. As those who plans. Often associations provide mittee is responsible for the
recommend to the association
feel they have a call prepare for some way for students in care to get training and oversight of the
committee on the ministry that the
ordained ministry, the church has together during school vacations. advisor.
person be accepted for in care status.
recognized that it is important to Some associations provide
If the board decides to proceed- • The student is presented to the
express its concern and to help them scholarship aid to students in care.
following review of documentation association and, in some
prepare well. The in care relationship
While the in care relationship was and interview with the person, the cases, voted upon by the
does that.
designed for students, in some local church sends a letter of association.
To be in care is to be in a
associations, in care is required for
covenantal relationship with God and recommendation to the association • The student communicates with the
ordained ministers of other
with the following documentation,
the church, including the local advisor on a regular basis.
denominations who want to become
some of which it secures from the
church, the association, the pastors in the United Church of candidate: • The advisor offers advice about the
conference, the national bodies of the
Christ. In care relationships are also way to meet ordination
In Care A-19
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of Christ, including active affirmation of the candidate and her
requirements. Supplemental
membership in a local church. or his plans for ministry.
studies may be planned to
develop competencies and • Commitment to the mission of the • Provide scholarship assistance to defray

skills not addressed elsewhere. church. the costs of college and seminary.
• The association committee on • Open, affirming style. • Invite a member of the association
the ministry arranges for • A sense of having been called by God committee on the ministry to meet with
regular communication; and the church to ordained ministry. the leaders and youth of your church to
gatherings with the committee, share the procedures for and
advisors and students in -care; • Adaptability. possibilities of a vocation within the
and the student's participation • A Christian lifestyle. United Church of Christ.
in the life of the association
and a local church of the • Empathy.
Issues Facing
United Church of Christ. • Integrity.
• The association committee on the Church
the ministry checks with the • Capability for growth and
development. • What is the role of a committee on the
advisor and may check with
ministry in an area where students are in
the student’s academic advisor
as well. Strengthening the In seminary, if they are not in care there?
• The association committee on Care Relationship • How can an association committee on
the ministry maintain contact when the
the ministry conducts an
The primary responsibility for the student is in seminary outside the area?
annual review of the student's
progress and development at student in care rests with the association • How can a local church express concern
which time a decision is made committee on the ministry. However, to for a student in care without infringing

to terminate or renew the in strengthen the relationship that a student on the role of the association committee
care relationship, based on the experiences with the association, the on the ministry?
local church can:
student's progress, church

participation and the advisor's • Appoint a committee of three or four Questions

recommendation. whose responsibility it will be to keep
in close, supportive contact with the • What is the purpose of the in care

person who has been granted in care relationship?
Skills and
status by the association. This local • What is the role of the association
Attributes Needed group coordinates with, and is in
committee on the ministry with in care
contact with, the association
students?
Among the skills, faith
committee on the ministry.
affirmations and personal • What are the responsibilities of a
qualities required for a student in • Whenever possible, provide student in care? © 2005, Parish Life and Leadership
Ministry Team of Local Church
care are: opportunities for the in care student to • What has your church done when it has
• Sense of responsibility. participate in the worship services and a member in care? What might you do? Ministries, a Covenanted Ministry of
total life of his or her home church. the United Church of Christ
• Commitment to service in and
• Show understanding and
on behalf of the United Church