The United Church has agreements with three denominations to accept the credentials of each other's ordered ministers: PROK, UCCP, and UCC.
In 2015 The United Church of Canada entered into formal agreements of mutual recognition of ministries with The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) and The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), as well as a full communion agreement, which includes mutual recognition of ministries, with the United Church of Christ (USA) (UCC).
These agreements are a significant and historic step of mutual recognition between The United Church of Canada and its partner denominations. They represent a desire to deepen our shared journey through the mutual recognition and exchange of ministry personnel, and in doing so to witness to a renewed calling to be truly united and uniting churches. (Visit the Interchurch Relationships page for more information on the United Church’s ecumenical partnerships and the mutual recognition agreements.)
Mutual recognition means two denominations accept the credentials of each other’s ordered ministers and authorize ministers to be employed in the other denomination’s congregations without being required to enter an admission process.
The full implementation of these agreements will take several years in order to amend current by-laws and establish a new category of ministry called “ministry partner.” In the meantime, interim processes, based on existing policies and practices, have been established.
Interim Processes
If you are a member of the order of ministry in one of these partner denominations and wish to serve in The United Church of Canada, or if you are a member of the order of ministry in The United Church of Canada and wish to serve in one of these partner denominations, please follow the interim processes. Select the relevant process under Downloads, below. It is important to understand that immigration requirements are separate from church processes. Ministers are advised that the process will take a significant period of time, to meet both immigration and church requirements.
Before you begin the process with The United Church of Canada, please contact us to learn what is required for the application.
Please contact:
The Office of Vocation
416-231-7680 or 1-800-268-381
officeofvocation@united-church.ca
Downloads
- Measures for Mutual Recognition of Ministers: United Church of Christ and United Church of Canada (335.79 KB) (PDF)
- Interim United Church Process, Mutual Recognition of Ministries: Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (113.02 KB) (PDF)
- Interim Process, Mutual Recognition of Ministries: United Church of Canada, United Church of Christ in the Philippines (108.79 KB) (PDF)