Ordination Requirements

Considering Ministry

The United Church of Canada has a program to assist people in thinking about and considering their gifts and suitability for ministry with the United Church. This involves meeting with a local Discernment Committee for about 12 months. It is recommended that persons thinking about ministry begin their process with the Discernment Committee at least 18 months prior to their beginning theological studies. This will provide sufficient time for individuals to complete their discernment and receive Candidate status prior to entering theological school.

The following church requirements must be fulfilled prior to being received as a Candidate for ministry with the United Church:

  1. be an active member of The United Church of Canada for at least 12 months prior to being recognized as an Inquirer, and then
  2. meet with a Discernment Committee made up of representatives of the local congregation and the Presbytery for about 12 months
  3. have a recommendation by the Discernment Committee and the Session (or its equivalent), and
  4. meet with the Conference Interview Board who provide advice to the Presbytery, and
  5. have a positive recommendation by the Presbytery, through its Committee on Education and Students.

Church policies relating to the recruitment, selection, supervision and preparation of Candidates for the order of ministry of The United Church of Canada are set forth in The Manual of the United Church.

Further information is available from the local Presbytery Education and Students Committee or the General Council Division of Ministry Personnel and Education. Write to:
Human Resources United
3250 Bloor St W Ste 300
Toronto, ON  M8X 2Y4

Normal Course of Study for Ordained Ministry

The United Church of Canada requires that its Ordained Ministers normally have an undergraduate degree from a recognized university and three years of theological study at a United Church theological school resulting in an M.Div. degree and the Testamur of the United Church. The Testamur is the witness of a United Church theological school that a Candidate has completed the program of study prescribed by The United Church of Canada.

The Shorter Course Program

For persons who do not have an undergraduate degree from a recognized university, the United Church provides for an opportunity to request an exception from the normal course of study. This is only available to persons already received as a Candidate and recommended for the Shorter Course program by the Conference Interview Board and the Presbytery.

The criteria for this exception include:

  1. Have significant life and work experience which would compensate for an undergraduate degree
  2. Provide evidence that it would be a personal/family/financial hardship to have to complete an undergraduate degree

It is recommended that the one year of study include courses in English, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology and History. It is further recommended that the undergraduate program not include courses in religion or theology which will be covered during the time of theological studies.