WISCONSIN CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS’ ASSOCIATION

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

1. The name of this organization shall be the Wisconsin Congregational Ministers’ Association.

2. The purpose of this organization shall be;

a. To provide ministerial fellowship, mental stimulation, spiritual inspiration and professional improvement for all its members and

b. To establish and record members’ qualifications and professional standing until such a time as an association of Congregational Churches and ministers shall be formed.

3. Membership shall be open to any Christian minister who adheres to the purposes o this Association. Such membership shall be open to ordained ministers of churches, retired ministers, chaplains, ordained ministers who are serving churches in executive and administrative positions, missionaries, and ministers serving as teachers in colleges, universities or seminaries.

4. The association may license and receive in care such men and women as are studying for the full-time ministry upon establishing that such persons are of good character, have appropriate gifts for the ministry, and are recommended by their local church.

5. This Association shall not presume to exercise authority over the churches. It shall, however, encourage the Christian character and professional fitness of all its members. It will endeavor at all times to strengthen the hands and promote the usefulness of each member, as well as uphold the reputation of the Christian ministry. On all occasions it will strive to strengthen the witness of its members to the Congregational way of faith and order, and to promote the kingdom of God.

Created: March 25, 1965. Revised November 20, 1990.

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WISCONSIN CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS’ ASSOCIATION

BYLAWS

1. The officers of this Association shall consist of a president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer.

2. The election of officers shall take place annually at the October Meeting

3. The Association shall meet normally three times a year, in October, January, and April

4. The association may receive into its care any young person who desires to enter the fulltime Christian Ministry, in conferring this status the Association extends fellowship and counsel to such persons and certifies that he or she is a candidate for the ordained Christian Ministry.

The following procedure is prescribed for the attainment of “In Care” status:

a. The prospective candidate make her or his desire to become an ordained minister known to her or his pastor, who offers personal counsel and who advises as to subsequent procedures.

b. Upon recommendation of pastor and church, the Association (WCMA) (or designated committee) examines the prospective candidate as to character, aptitudes, and Christian experience.

c. Upon a satisfactory examination, ans the personal appearance of the prospective candidate, the Association votes to take her or him “In Care” and to offer its friendship and counsel through a pastoral advisor designated by it. Annual contact and conference shall be maintained between the candidate and his or her advisor.

d. The candidate shall then receive “In Care of Association” credentials and her or his name and date of receiving status shall be recorded with the Association.

e. In Care Status shall be reviewed each year and renewed if requested and circumstances are satisfactory.

5. The Association (WCMA) may grant licensure to candidates for the ordained ministry of our churches. Licensure is the status through which a candidate in training for the ordained ministry of our churches is certified by the Association as qualified to preach the Gospel, and as a licentiate to serve a church.

The following procedure is prescribed for the attainment of licensure:

a. This status is achieved at an appropriate time during the candidate’s seminary course, and as a first professional step towards his or her ordination.

b. The Association shall require from the candidate in personal interview or examination; evidence of church membership, of graduation from an approved college; of commendation from the candidate’s home church and/or Association; transcript of college credits; a transcript of seminary credits to date; a statement of purpose in entering the Christian ministry an/or a statement of maturing Christian Faith; a written sermon; evidence of knowledge of Congregational Christian History, polity, and current program practice; evidence of ability to lead in public worship and to perform the other duties required of a licentiate who is serving a church.

c. Licensure is granted for a period of one year.

d. The licentiate shall then receive credentials, properly signed and dated buy the appropriate officers of the Association.

Created: March 25, 1965. Revised November 20, 1990.

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