Discernment of Ministry

Ordained ministers are ordained to a ministry of word, sacrament, and pastoral care as part of the one Order of Ministry in The United Church of Canada. This ministry usually happens in a congregation where the ordained minister empowers the people of God, teaches, leads worship, preaches, and administers the sacraments and rites of the church. She or he also ministers to the community at large through her or his representative function and witness to the faith of Jesus Christ.

Before ordination, a candidate must receive the testamur of The United Church of Canada from a theological school that has been granted the authority to issue a testamur on behalf of the church. As well, there must be assurance of transfer and settlement into a full- or part-time ministry position.

Education for ordained ministry normally consists of an undergraduate program leading to a bachelor’s degree, followed by a three-year program of preparation for ministry leading to a Master of Divinity degree from a theological school recognized by the United Church.

People preparing for ordained ministry in a Native Ministry setting can study at the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre.* This is a program of five years of study while serving in a ministry setting.

The education program for ordained ministry may be a residential campus-based model or a ministry-based program that is completed while serving an appointment as student supply.

For information about theological schools offering degree programs for ordained ministry, see Theological Schools. A ministry-based program is offered at the Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax.

Further information is available from:

Ministry Vocations
Human Resources
The United Church of Canada
3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300
Toronto, ON Canada M8X 2Y4
E-mail: Ministry Vocations