by Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott
Recently, Rev. Dr. Gloria and I attended our boundary training with other Associate Conference Ministers throughout the United Church of Christ (UCC), and the topic of the UCC Ministerial Code and the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministry came up. It sparked some honest conversation—not just about rules and expectations but about what it really means to be faithful in ministry today. It reminded me that we don’t talk about these tools often enough, even though they shape how we live and lead.
Every profession has some code. Teachers follow standards for education. Doctors take an oath. Even hairstylists know there are rules—keep your tools clean, respect your clients, and show up on time. Ministry is no different. In the UCC, those of us who are called to serve are expected to do so with integrity, accountability, and care—not just for what we do but for how we live.
The UCC Ministerial Code isn’t just a list of dos and don’ts. It’s a covenant. When we say yes to ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministry, we also say yes to living in ways that reflect God’s justice, mercy, and love. The code covers everything from setting healthy boundaries to how we handle money. It calls us to seek support, care for ourselves, and avoid anything that could cause harm to others or the church.
But a code alone doesn’t shape a minister. That’s where the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministry come in. If the Code tells us what we’re responsible for, the Marks point us toward who we’re becoming. They name the habits, gifts, and ways of being that make ministry effective and Spirit-filled—things like showing leadership, understanding Scripture, caring for creation, practicing prayer, and connecting with people across cultures and communities.
This might be the first time you’ve heard of the Marks for some of you. That’s okay. Not everyone enters ministry through the same door and is introduced to these tools early on. But whether you’re fresh into discernment or have been at this for decades, the Marks give us language to reflect on what’s going well and where we might need to grow.
The Code is what we live by. It keeps us grounded in our commitments and relationships. The Marks are what we live into. They push us to grow, stretch, and deepen our ministry over time. One helps us stay accountable, and the other invites us to keep becoming.
And here’s something important: these aren’t just for clergy. Congregations can use the Code and the Marks, too. They can help church members know what to expect from their pastor and what it means to share in ministry together. Search committees can use them when calling a new leader. Church councils can use them when reviewing the health of their shared ministry. They’re tools for building trust, clarity, and shared purpose.
Whether you’re a seminarian, a Member in Discernment, someone following a nontraditional path toward ordination, or seeking standing in the UCC from another tradition, these are resources to carry with you. They aren’t meant to box you in. They’re intended to support you. Ministry isn’t about perfection—it’s about faithfulness. And the journey is always better when we know what we’re living by and what we’re living toward.