Called to Ministry in The United Church of Canada
In July 2018, The United Church of Canada’s 43rd General Council confirmed changes to the structure of the United Church. Ministry personnel issues, including steps to explore and become a minister (called the Candidacy Pathway) happen through the national church office in an area called the Office of Vocation.
Office of Vocation
- The Office of Vocation is the body in the United Church’s structure that supports the accreditation of ministry personnel.
- The Office of Vocation also relates to candidates for ministry through the Candidacy Boards. Information about the Candidacy Pathway can be found here. If you have questions about the Candidacy Pathway, entering ministry, or your own candidacy, please contact Brenda Fawkes.
Rev. Lillian Roberts, Acting Office of Vocation Minister for BC, Yukon, and Southern Alberta.
LRoberts@united-church.ca
General Council Office 1-800-268-3781
Extension 6106
Mandatory Trainings and Ministry Personnel Standards
The Office of Vocation is the body in the United Church’s structure that supports the accreditation of ministry personnel. The Office of Vocation supports the processes for the discernment and training of ministry personnel, the determination of their fitness/readiness for accreditation, the fulfillment of continuing education standards, and the formal processes for oversight and discipline of ministry personnel. More information is available on the national church Office of Vocation website.
Ministry personnel are expected to maintain healthy professional relationships. The trainings “Racial Justice” and “Sexual Misconduct Prevention” govern the practice of professional ministry and are overseen by the Office of Vocation. All ministers are required to complete these training requirements via the United in Learning Webinars.
