For complete information, please see the link below.  For registration information, contact: Joe Arnold, Research Manager, Lewis Center for Church Leadership, lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu or Phone: 202-885-8560.  Click this link for a printable pdf of more complete information: pdf Online Boundary Training Information Sheet

 Link to printable pdf format: CCUMW Professional Care & Development Policy

Policy:  Any ordained or commissioned minister seeking to continue standing      with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper-Midwest will complete sixteen hours of continuing education each year.  This policy will become effective August 1, 2011.

PROFESSIONAL CARE AND DEVELOPMENT

It is assumed all ordained or commissioned ministers seeking to continue standing will want to enhance and develop his/her skills for ministerial proficiency.  With this in mind, to acquire or continue to hold standing with the Christian Church (DOC) in the Upper Midwest, each minister will complete sixteen (16) hours of continuing education each year beyond his/her regular or compensated duties.  Self-guided study is acceptable as suggested below. [Self-guided study may be used for up to eight (8) of the annually required hours. Turn in the list of books read or nature of study and hours for each book/study on annual Standing Form] In classroom or seminar settings, an hour shall be defined as a 50-minute contact period.  

INACTIVE RETIREES are exempt from this requirement.  (An inactive retiree is defined as a Christian Church (DOC) minister who is no longer engaging in the practice of ministry on an occasional, part-time or full-time basis.)                    

WAYS IN WHICH THIS REQUIREMENT may be met include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:

• read one or more texts from the list of suggested works as appear in the current

syllabus for Commissioned Ministers Education Program (CMEP)

• complete a unit of clinical pastoral education (CPE)
• complete a college or graduate level course
• complete a Missouri School of Religion course
•  complete a seminary on-line course
• complete a semester’s work in a Doctor of Ministry program
  • attend a seminary-sponsored Ministers’ Week
  • attend resource groups and worship experiences at a Regional or General Assembly
  • attend and participate in ecumenical resource and worship experiences
  • attend and participate in the “School for Congregational Learning.”
  • participate in “Clergy Day Apart” opportunities as provided by the CCUM
  • attend “Ministers’ Institute” as provided by the CCUM
  • participate in Regional required “Boundary Training”
  • attend a lecture series (as offered by Drake University, Grinnell College, Grandview College, Culver-Stockton College, etc.)
  • attend a professional training seminar (as offered by Alban Institute, Youth Specialties, etc.)
    • participate in spiritual discipline retreats
    • other events, studies, etc., may be acceptable.  It is suggested the Commission on Ministry or its designee be consulted for verification.

IN MOST CASES, continuing education and professional development events required or accepted in other Regions of the Christian Church (DOC) in theUnited StatesandCanadawill be accepted by the CCUM.

IN SUPPORT OF MINISTERS and their efforts to meet these requirements the Christian Church (DOC) in the Upper-Midwest will

• develop and publish reading lists suitable for helping ministers continue their professional and spiritual growth
  • maintain and publish timely notices of continuing education opportunities
  • advocate for ministers with congregations to allow time and money for ministers’ continuing education
  • develop continuing education/professional development opportunities within Regional events including boundary training.

A REPORTING OF PARTICIPATION in professional development opportunities will be included each year as ministers complete standing forms as provided by the Commission on Ministry of the CCUM.

IN THE EVENT THAT PERSONAL HARDSHIP or other extenuating circumstances prevent a minister from meeting the continuing education requirements, he or she may contact the Commission on Ministry or its designee to request an alternate plan or waiver.

Policy on printable pdf format: UMWCC Boundaries Training Policy

POLICY:    To assure consistent training for, and build community with ministers regarding clergy sexual, ethical, racial and ethnic, and financial boundaries. This policy was effective August 1, 2011.  (Current clergy initial training must be completed by December 31, 2012.)

 BOUNDARIES TRAINING PROCEDURE:     

Initial training:

• Within two years of a minister receiving standing in, or re-locating to the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest, the minister will complete six hours of training related to clergy sexual, ethical, racial and ethnic, and financial boundaries. The Region will sponsor this basic course at least once every year.
• If a commissioned or ordained minister with standing does not complete this training within two years, their standing will be suspended, not-for-cause, until s/he completes the training. 
• If a minister transfers from another region and has completed boundary training approved by that region within the previous 12 months, that training will fulfill this requirement.
• Alternative courses to the regionally-sponsored course need to be pre-approved by the Commission on Ministry or their designee. 
• Active retired (aR) ministers who function in any ministerial capacity (pulpit supply, officiating at weddings or funerals, etc.) are required to participate in this initial training.

 On-going training:

• Within three years of initial training and every three years hence, all commissioned and ordained ministers will complete on-going boundary training. The Region will sponsor or designate the training that will qualify for this requirement. This training will be offered at least once every year.
• If a commissioned or ordained minister with standing does not complete this training every three years after the initial boundary training, their standing will be suspended, not-for-cause, until s/he completes the training.
• Active retired (aR) ministers who function in any ministerial capacity (pulpit supply, officiating at weddings or funerals, etc.) are required to participate in this on-going training.

DTE Insert May 2012

Valley.View.Grant.Application

Do you have a suggestion for a Workshop for the August 25 School for Congregational Learning?  Or would you like to present a Workshop at this year’s event?  The SCL will be held at 2 locations this year: West Des Moines, and Minneapolis.  On the form you may indicate which location works best for this workshop (or both locations may be chosen).  Click on the link below for the online Workshop Proposal Form.

SCL.Workshop.Proposals