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National Association of Congregational Christian Churches,  P.O. Box 288, Oak Creek, WI  53154
414-764-1620 
Email: naccc@naccc.org   Web Site: http://www.naccc.org

by Donald P. Olsen, Division of Ministry, Dean of CFTS

Discerning one's call to ordained ministry is most often a process. The process engages the community of faith, one's local church, as gifts for ministry are recognized and articulated. The process also engages the individual through the ongoing task of self-examination and critical thought about one's call to be "set apart" for service to God in Christ's Church.. (See Considering Call, NA News, March and April, 2004) When an individual chooses to act upon the call to ordained ministry, our Association of Churches offers two options.

The Lay Ministry Training Program (LMTP) was developed by our Division for Ministry and the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies. It is a seven-part program designed for individuals who are unable to follow traditional paths to fully ordained ministry. LMTP students who complete the program are awarded a certificate and most often serve the local church as an associate or assistant pastor. Some have been ordained by the local church for service to that church. More information about LMTP may be found at http://www.naccc.org/DFM/Lay_Ministry_Training.htm.

The Congregational Institute is currently considering ways to improve the LMTP and add additional components which could lead to a recommendation for full ordination through a Vicinage Council. The LMTP will soon be available on-line using Olivet College's Blackboard software tools.

The Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies (CFTS) was organized to assist and guide individuals as they pursue ordination through the traditional path of seminary training by earning a Master of Divinity degree from an ATS accredited graduate school. Once accepted into CFTS, financial resources are made available and required annual seminars are provided. CFTS fellows are also required to attend the Boston Seminar, a week long history and polity course which takes place at the Congregational Library in Boston. More information about CFTS is available at: http://www.naccc.org/CFTS/PurposeAndHistory.htm,

Service to God through ordained ministry in Christ's Church is a high calling which requires a broad set of gifts and skills. Our Association of Churches, through its division, CFTS, is committed to encouraging and enabling those whom God has called to serve as pastoral leaders in Christ's Church. If you are considering ordained ministry, or know of someone who may be in the process of discerning his or her call, please let us know. We would like to help in that process.

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