Carlos Aoun

 
The United Church of Christ Manual on Ministry describes the Ecclesiastical Council (EC) as “a gathering of delegates on behalf of an Association to decide, on behalf of the United Church of Christ, for or against the ordination of a Member in Discernment following the affirmative recommendation of a Committee on Ministry.” For many years, the MBA has facilitated the EC using a Member in Discernment’s Theology Paper and a question-and-answer session. While that has provided a significant portrait into a candidate’s theological perspectives, it is only one portion of a portfolio of experiences a candidate prepares for the Committee on Ministry. In covenant with the recommendations of the 2018 Manual on Ministry, the MBA COM began utilizing a Marks of Ministry Portfolio approach to assessing readiness for ordination. In the spirit of helping association delegates meet candidates as the COM has come to know them, we are encouraging MIDs to present portions of their Marks of Ministry Portfolio – as opposed to their theology paper – at their Ecclesiastical Council. There will still be a robust question-and-answer section following their presentation in which you may draw from the entirety of their portfolio, including the theology paper. If you are curious to dig into their paper, you are invited to do so, as it will be provided along with a portfolio of their materials. However, we hope that you will also engage with as much of their portfolio as possible to understand how this candidate has come before you today having heard “yes” numerous times from the MBA COM.
 
Pre-Reading for Delegates:
The Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers – This is the document referenced in the “Marks of Ministry Portfolio.” It is not only a guiding tool for readiness for ministry; it is also a source of ongoing formation and education for currently authorized ministers, as no one minister can demonstrate full mastery in every mark.

Representation and voting at such Council shall be by church, with each church having one vote. Members of the Committee on the Ministry (COM), together with the Associate Conference Minister, the Scribe, and the Moderator (or their representatives), shall be members of the council by reason of their office.  If the examination of the candidate is sustained and the ordination approved, the council will recess until a date to be determined for the Service of Ordination.  Representatives from eight of the MBA Churches shall constitute a quorum.
   
Wishing you grace, mercy and peace,

Dr. Deb Washington
Moderator of Metropolitan Boston Association