Opening/Closing Date: February 5, 2025 to March 27, 2025
Description
Board of Vocation (15 members)
The Board of Vocation is the governing body of the Office of Vocation. It requires both lay members and ministry personnel from diverse backgrounds who have skills for this governance role and a commitment to vital ministry leadership.
Mandate
The Board of Vocation is the elected body that oversees the Office of Vocation, honouring and living into intercultural mission and ministry (The Manual 2024). It is responsible for ensuring well-trained, accredited ministry personnel who are able to faithfully lead the church and its people as they serve the present age. The Board of Vocation has the following authority and responsibilities:
- Establishing
- standards for training and accreditation of ministry personnel according to denominational policies
- expectations and standards for continuing education, formation, and professional development
- implementing standards for admitting ministers from other denominations and readmitting ministers
- Determining a person’s fitness and readiness for accreditation to ministry
- Disciplining ministry personnel, including establishing formal hearings and conducting complaints processes
- Administering the Discontinued Service List (Disciplinary and Voluntary)
- Supporting and responding to requests for assistance from regional councils
- Maintaining a registry of accredited ministers, and lists of trained conflict resolution facilitators, recognized Interim Ministers, and those trained for the Ministry of Supervision
Membership
The Board of Vocation consists of 15 members who reflect the broad diversity of the United Church, with particular attention to its equity commitments and the presence of both lay people and ministry personnel from across the geography of the church. One of these members is appointed by the National Indigenous Council, the others by the General Council. To assist the board in fulfilling the Calls to the Church by the Caretakers of Our Indigenous Circle, at least two of the members will identify as Indigenous or be leaders in the Indigenous Church.
To honour the separation of responsibilities assigned to regional councils and those assigned to the Office of Vocation, Board of Vocation members will not be serving on a body of the regional council with decision-making responsibilities that relate to or affect pastoral relations or pastoral relationships.
Member Skills and Experience
We are seeking church leaders who have a passion for the vocation of ministry and skills beneficial to the Board of Vocation’s responsibilities.
Members will have knowledge and expertise in one or more of the following areas: ministry leadership within Indigenous, rural, urban, or francophone contexts; familiarity with standards of practice and ethical standards; as well as experience in governance.
United Church Relationship: Full member
Expectations and Term
The Board of Vocation meets at least five times a year, usually by videoconference. Multi-day in-person meetings may occur during the term. At present meetings are held on a Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon of the same week approximately 1:00 p.m.‒4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The term of this appointment is for three years (August 2025 - August 2028) with the possibility of reappointment for a second three-year term.
For more information about this volunteer opportunity, please see the complete description, below.
To Express Interest
To apply for this vacancy, please express interest or nominate someone.
All submissions will be acknowledged by e-mail. If you do not receive acknowledgement, please contact Member Engagement. Incomplete or late submissions cannot be considered.
For further information or assistance in expressing interest or nominating someone, please contact:
Member Engagement
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-3781
E-mail:
Downloads
- 45-07 Board of Vocation.pdf (227.34 KB) (PDF)