Welcome to the In-Care process!
Let us introduce you to the process of being
taken In-Care by the New Jersey Association of the Central Atlantic Conference
of the United Church of Christ.
The New Jersey Association’s Pre-Ordination Commission is charged, on
behalf of the United Church of Christ, with helping persons like you, who feel
called to ordained ministry, to clarify and test your call to ministry. This
is done so that you, the one feeling called, and the church are satisfied that
the person seeking ordained status will be well suited to exercise the functions
of that title and position.
A variety of requirements and procedures are used to fulfill this responsibility. It must be noted that being taken In-Care does not in any way mean you are to act, function, or feel you are an ordained, licensed, or commissioned minister. It means, quite simply, you have been presented to us with an initial appearance of the potential to be ordained to the Christian ministry in the United Church of Christ. This potential is subsequently nurtured and cared for by our unfolding relationship as we move forward to ascertain the validity of that first impression. It means, quite Biblically, we call on the Holy Spirit to give us the guidance and the wisdom to validate your personal call within the context of community within the United Church of Christ.
We are excited to join you on this journey. Yes, this is a journey that is, in part, about clarifying your individual call to ordained ministerial status. And yet, it is, even more importantly, about identifying, nourishing and validating the covenantal nature of that individual call within the community of the United Church of Christ.
Please spend considerable time looking over this section, making notes, and prayerfully processing all that will be expected of you as our journey unfolds. This is important. This will change your life. It will change ours. It will change the world. And, finally, its purpose ought to help bring in the realm of God.
If you haven't already done so, you have been a member of a NJ United Church of Christ congregation for a least one year, have spoken to your local church pastor about entering the in-care process and have both reviewd the in-care requirements, you have been recommended for in-care status by the appropriate board of your church (church council, church governing board, or deacons).
You now need to call the New Jersey Association office 973-748-7772 to let us know of your interest in entering the In-Care process and to give us your contact information.
Peace and Blessings