In the Uniting Church in Australia, we believe that baptism is the foundation for all ministry and that the whole people of God are called to serve one another and the wider community with the love of Christ.
We are all called to be well equipped in our ministry.
Here are the roles you can pursue in ministry:
Elder
An Elder is a person who commits to serving the church as a lay leader, working on church council and in the pastoral care of the worshiping community.
Lay Preacher
A Lay Preacher undertakes training and applies (candidates) to be recognised as a preacher, available to serve in their own congregation and elsewhere upon invitation.
Find out more by visiting the Ministry of Lay Preacher.
Pastor
A Pastor is a lay person employed to work in a Uniting Church congregation, school or agency who is equipped for a particular ministry such as youth worker, or regional pastor of a group of congregations or working as a chaplain.
A pastor is only recognised as such for the duration of their term of employment.
Find out more by visiting the Ministry for Pastor.
Minister of the Word or Deacon
Ministers of the Word or Deacons are both specified ministries recognised as ordained and called to serve the wider church for life.
Ministers of the Word and Deacons are both recognised as those who serve with sacraments (Holy Communion and Baptism) by calling.
Because of the nature of this calling, these ministers are tested and trained over a period of not less than three years.
Ministers of the Word primarily seek to serve in congregations, but many also serve as Chaplains.
Deacons
Deacons primarily seek to work within the community at large. Some are chaplains, others may seek to renew the church by their service in various agencies or via congregations.
A Period of Discernment (POD) is a time of not less than a year during which a person commits to engage in seeking the calling of God upon their life by;
If you are unsure of future directions in life, a POD may be relevant to you.
This is a gift to the whole of the church, committing to walk with people in their journey with God.
Some in POD will decide to go on to candidate for Minister of the Word or Deacon or as a Lay Preacher.
After completing a POD and with the support of their congregation, a person can apply (candidate) to become a MOW or Deacon.
This sense of vocation will be tested in a series of interviews over a period of some months.
PHASE TWO: INTENSIVE STUDY
Having been tested by the councils of the church, the candidate then undertakes a period of intensive study, phase two.
The study requirements are determined in consultation with the principal of the Perth Theological Hall and will be tailored to the individual depending on their ability, taking into account prior study and their particular gifts for ministry.
For further information on study requirements, visit Ordained Ministry.
FORMATION PROGRAM
Candidates will also undertake a formation program for not less than two years.
Our formation program is developed to work with the strengths of individual candidates and to develop skills for ministry, particularly engaging in developing ways of renewing congregations and engaging in fresh expressions of ministry for the 21st Century.
During the formation process, there are three interviews each year with formation panels who will decide when a candidate is ready for ordination.
Ordination takes place when the candidate has gained a placement as a minister (employment).
For more details about the Commission for Education for Discipleship and Leadership (CEDAL) and becoming a minister in the Uniting Church, contact:
Rev David Kriel
CEDAL Chairperson
Email: david.kriel@wa.uca.org.au
Phone: 0450 644 802
Rev Dr Anne Wright
Director of Education and Formation
Email: anne.wright@wa.uca.org.au
Mobile: 0434 578 015
We host a number of events such as training sessions, lectures and workshops throughout the year.
To find out what events are coming up, please visit our Events page or sign up for our Seeds newsletter.
Newsletter
To keep up to date with what is happening you can subscribe to SEEDS, a monthly e-newsletter that outlines CEDAL updates and upcoming educational events in WA and interstate.
To subscribe to SEEDs email cedal@wa.uca.org.au.
Facebook
Join us on our Facebook group, Equip Education Team.
Phone: (08) 9260 9800
Postal Address: GPO Box M952, Perth WA 6843
Physical Address: 85-89 Edward St, Perth
Email: wasynod@wa.uca.org.au
The Uniting Church Western Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters on which we live and work. The Uniting Church Centre sits on the lands of the Wadjuk Nyungar people and we pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the Nyungar people as the sovereign First Peoples of this place.
Copyright 2021