Information relating to Ministry Standards

Ministry

In the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) our base theological commitment is that 'Ministry' is a task of all members of the Church, and that our commissioning to such ministry happens with our baptism. We sometimes refer to this as "every member ministry". In particular, it is important to note that all forms of ministry within the UCA are equally available to both women and men without distinction.

 However the UCA does particularly recognise and regulate some roles in ministry, often referred to as  "Specified Ministries", meaning that they are specified in the Constitution and/or Regulations of the Church. Specified Ministries include the "Lay Specified Ministries" of Ministry of Lay Preacher and Ministry of Pastor, while the "Ordained Ministries" are the Ministry of the Word and the Ministry of Deacon. There have also been previous forms of Specified Ministry which are no longer open to new candidates, but in which some people continue to exercise ministry. These include 'Deaconess', 'Community Minister' and 'Accredited Youth Worker'.

Ministry Standards

As detailed in the Constitution of the UCA, the Assembly — the National Council of the Church — is responsible for setting Ministry Standards for the Education and Formation of Specified Ministers within the UCA, for the admission of Ministers from other denominations to the Specified Ministries of the UCA, and for the ongoing requirements of Specified Ministers within the UCA. The collection of documents below relate to these Ministry Standards.