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page 10 of 33
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From Call to Settlement |
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by Lloyd M. Hall, Jr.
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Call to a Church
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Approximately six months prior to the time that a student
anticipates completing all preparatory work (seminary degree
requirements, CFTS requirements, internship), the initial steps
should be taken toward securing a call to a Church. This work will
probably be done in close association with the NACCC Associate
Executive Secretary for Ministerial Development and Service. It is
not the purpose of this booklet to outline that procedure.
It is important to note, however, that while there may - under
extremely extenuating circumstances - be some "negotiating" on
the matter of academic preparation, there can be no negotiating
around 1) membership in the ordaining Church and 2) a call to a
specific ministry. Some Church (or if an alternative ministry, some
institution) must have formally and properly invited the candidate
to assume ministerial duties within its province.
16
There are ministries other than those in the local Church for which
ordination is appropriate. They would include institutional or
military chaplaincy, service as a missionary, or work as a Church
Planter. While it has proven valuable to have the services of
ordained clergy in the executive positions of the National
Association of Congregational Christian Churches, these are not,
strictly speaking, ministerial functions and it would not be
appropriate to ordain a person to accept such a position. No matter
what specific ministry the individual may be entering, ordination
will be effected by the Church of which she is a member with the
assistance of a Council and will. be predicated upon a legitimate
and recognized call to that ministry.
Sometimes Associate Ministers and Assistant Ministers are
employed by Church Councils, Cabinets, Prudential Committees,
or some other subordinate body within the Church. If that
provision is made in the Church's constitution Councils will
probably not quibble. However, the VOTE to ORDAIN must be
made BY A CHURCH in a duly called and held meeting.17
The reason for rigidity at this point is that local autonomy, as it is
practiced among the Congregational Churches, means that the only
appropriate actor in matters of this significance is the Church.
Only a Church can vote to ordain. It is not a responsibility that
can, in Congregational polity, be delegated to another body.
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"This ordination we account nothing else, but the solemn putting of a man into
his place & office in the Church whereunto he had right before by election,
being like the installing of a magistrate in the commonwealth. Ordination
therefore is not to go before, but to follow election. " (Cambridge Platform, IX,
2; Williston Walker; The Creeds and Platforms of Congregationalism; The
Pilgrim Press, Boston; 1960; p 215)
17 In the matter of a person already ordained who is being called (other than by
the Church) to serve as an Associate or Assistant Minister, it would be unusual
to convene a Council for the purpose of installation unless the person's
ordination is in another denomination. In that case, it is most desirable that the
vote to call and the vote to convene the Council be made by the Church. In any
event, the call to convene a Council will need to be by a vote of the Church.
This would be the way in which an individual from another denomination could
become recognized as a Congregational Minister.
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National Association of Congregational Christian
Churches
PO Box 288, Oak Creek, WI 53154 |
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