FAQs
Why This is Important:
- This journey toward full recognition as an Associate Conference Ministers (ACM) group in the United Church of Christ began when some ACMs wanted to network with other ACMs in specific areas of responsibility such as search and call, congregational vitality, discernment, leadership formation, just to name a few, but did not know who their colleagues were or where they were located. As a result, they sought the assistance of the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization team (MESA) Team of the UCC to inquire about access to a list of Area/Associate Conference Ministers (ACMs). MESA indicated that they could not help. It was not for lack of wanting to help, but it was because ACMs are not officially recognized and MESA does not maintain a list of ACMs. At the present time, ACMs have a designation in the Datahub. However, the path toward datahub designation further highlighted the importance of ACMs having collegial support and recognition of their contributions to the wider church.
The ACM Alliance is seeking official recognition in the UCC toward:
o A justice issue of visibility; and
o Creating infrastructure to allow networking, sharing of resources, and mutual support.
Why is the Alliance seeking recognition under Article VI of the Bylaws of the UCC?
- The AACM structured this resolution under the advisement and in accordance with the directions provided by the General Minister and President, the President and Chair of the United Church of Christ Board of Directors, the Chair of the Council of Conference Ministers, and the General Counsel. Inclusion in Article VI was named to the Alliance as the appropriate space for the Alliance to be recognized.
- Recognizing the AACM under Article VI of the By-laws is not a problem in the structure of the UCC polity. Line 1743 of Article VI states:
The relationships of these [self-created] groups have a primary relationship with the UCC Board which serves as the primary linkage to the national expressions of the United Church of Christ. These relationships shall be reviewed each biennium by the appropriate partners and may be changed upon mutual consent of the partners, and so declared by vote of the United Church of Christ Board. The General Minister and President shall be responsible for initiation said review.
As evidenced in the above paragraph, the UCC polity makes space for self-defined groups with continued checks and balances for said groups.
- Historically Underrepresented Groups (spoken of in the bylaws regarding delegates to Synod) are not inherently the same as Self-Created Groups. The AACM is seeking to be a self-created group, recognized and in covenant with the UCC.
Couldn’t you create that now? Isn’t that what the ACM Alliance is?
- We can and have cobbled it together now, but it is not easy. ACMs are, generally, all very busy and overworked people. We need support.
- ACM Communities of Practice (COPs) were created by MESA to try to meet in part this expressed need, and it allows us to meet with a few colleagues for support, but those grouped together may not have overlapping portfolios.
- Authorized Ministry in the 21st Century (AM21) is hosted by MESA for Adjudicatory Staff and Committees on Ministry (COMs) in the alternating years between General Synod. It does allow for networking, but it is slow. (Think: trying to find like-people at a conference gathering full of folks who are also busy working while they are there.)
- We created an online platform for networking through Basecamp, but not all ACMs are comfortable or fed by online forums, and therefore we do not have 100% participation of ACMs. We need multiple venues for training, equipping, and networking!
Wait, are you saying you do not have support now?
- MESA helps us all the time, but there is no provision for support, e.g. to convene a regional ACM gathering, because we lack official recognition in the UCC Constitution and Bylaws.
- MESA did just conduct an ACM Boundary Awareness Training, but it only happened because the ACM Alliance identified a need and coordinated with the MESA Team to make it happen. We would like to formalize that recognition and infrastructure for training, equipping, and networking.
My Conference Minister and ACMs all enjoy a great relationship and support each other. What gives?
- Not all Conferences are resourced the same. Some have multiple staff who can support each other on a team, while others are lucky to have one ACM, and even then, may be part time.
- Not all ACMs and Conference Ministers enjoy the same levels of collegial respect.
- This can be lonely and exhausting work, because ACMs are prevented from building friendships with local clergy in the areas in which they serve because of necessary and important boundaries. This can be made easier through a means for training, equipping, and networking with each other!
Why are the ACMs and the AACM seeking recognition when the CMs and CCM don't have any official status?
- The CCM actually is an officially recognized group, identified in the UCC By-Laws Article 6, paragraph 298. Moreover, Conference Minister is a recognized title, named in an official capacity 21 times in the UCC By-Laws. Associate Conference Minister is mentioned 0 times..
How is this a justice issue?
- ACMs represent one of the most diverse bodies in the UCC.
- ACMs lack official recognition and are under-represented in our Constitution, Bylaws, datahub, and other means of tracking and, literally, counting, in our denomination.
- By definition and practice ACMs are in a lower position of power.
- When a group of lesser power in a system asks for acknowledgment and support it is incumbent on the group with more power to provide backing and assist in that request. As the UCC we are called upon by the examples of Jesus to make ways for those who are seeking relief and support.
Are there financial or positional implications?
- This will not obligate a Conference to anything or give ACMs any authority over budgets.
- We are not seeking seats on the UCC Board.
- We are hoping to collect dues from Conferences so that the fees for Basecamp (the online platform we use to network) will not keep coming out of willing volunteers’ pockets. We would also like to provide scholarships to ACMs who want to attend AM21 and whose Conferences cannot afford to pay their way.
What about that "Theology of Call and Compensation Guidelines" document is posted in the Foundational Documents section? Is the AACM going to push for more pay for ACMs?
- The Theology of Call and Compensation Guidelines document reflects our belief that what we do as ACMs is covenantal, ministerial work to which we are called to by God that deserves compensation at a rate that reflects the compensation guidelines of each Conference. This, we believe, is a matter of justice.
- We are not asking for exorbitant pay, but compensation that acknowledges that many ACMs work long hours in challenging circumstances, as most ministers do.
- The Theology of Call and Compensation Guidelines are not part of the General Synod resolution, nor will a "yes" vote for the resolution mean a "yes" vote to these guidelines.
- More time for discernment and conversation is needed. We want to be transparent about the conversations that have happened, since some have expressed fears that we might be asking for more than the Conferences can afford.
- Some have already used the guidelines to help them negotiate a package that affords the ACMs to be able to participate in Communities of Practice, continuing education, and enjoy parental leave for occasions such as adoption.
- The above guidelines ensure a quality of life that addresses the ACM as a whole person mind, body, and spirit.
Are you unionizing?
- No, though we do support the work and power of unions in general. We have no intent of getting in the way of internal personnel processes.
- This will not confer any additional authority onto the position of ACMs.
- All relationships of support create the potential for triangulation, but we choose to manage that potential with maturity.
A “Yes” vote means:
- The creation of an opportunity to receive more support from MESA.
- The rectifying of a long-standing justice issue of invisibility through official recognition and the means by which ACM’s can support, equip and network more easily with one another.