Last week, I joined other Associate Conference Ministers from across the United Church of Christ for a workshop on The Manual on Church. Before long, we found ourselves talking about the Marks, those guideposts that help us understand what faithfulness looks like in ministry and congregational life.

In my previous note, I mentioned the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers and how they describe a life of calling rooted in prayer, service, and growth. These Marks remind clergy to lead with compassion, teach with clarity, and ground their work in spiritual practice. They aren’t about perfection but direction. They invite ministers to reflect on their strengths, name areas for growth, and stay centered in Christ’s mission. When pastors live by these Marks, they embody a kind of discipleship that can inspire an entire congregation.

Our discussion then turned to the Marks of Faithful and Vital Local Churches, which parallel those for clergy. These describe how congregations live out God’s call together—through worship, leadership that empowers, intentional community, and acts of justice and mercy. A vital church isn’t defined by attendance or budgets but by faithfulness. Such churches connect deeply with God, with one another, and with the broader world. They make decisions prayerfully, live their values openly, and allow love to shape their witness.

When both clergy and congregations take these Marks to heart, the relationship between pastor and people becomes a shared journey. Ministry stops being something a pastor provides and becomes something a whole church embodies. Each person contributes to building up the body of Christ.

As we move through our season of ministry, may we keep the Marks close, not as checklists, but as companions for prayer, reflection, and growth. They call us all, clergy and congregations alike, to live faithfully, love boldly, and walk humbly with God.