The Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative requires that the congregation, the pastor, the mission center president, the Community of Christ Seminary, and the World Church co-mission with one another in ministerial partnership. This co-missioning is like a covenant or promise. These commitments include the following.

The Pastor

· Commits to attend four formational retreats and three formational weeks over a three-year period

· Commits to serve as pastor for five years

· Commits to lead the congregation in the “sharing goal” with emphasis upon the congregation enhancing its inviting, gathering, and sending/serving ministries

The Congregation

· Commits to increase the week- to-week time dedicated to shared ministry with the pastor

· Commits to uphold the co-missioned pastor for five years

· Commits to financially support the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative (see question five in the Twenty-five Frequently Asked Questions)

The Mission Center President

· Commits to provide ministerial support to the pastor and the congregation

· Commits to liaison between the World Church and the congregation

The Community of Christ Seminary

· Commits to educate and prepare - through prayerful scholarship, teaching, service, and mentoring - faithful, creative, and discerning pastoral leaders for ministries in their congregations, church, and the world.

The World Church

· Commits to provide leadership, resources, coordination, and ministerial support to the co-missioned pastors and their congregations

The coordinator of the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative along with mission center presidents and other World Church staff will help the congregation and the pastor understand their commitments, prepare for them, and ultimately sign a covenant document.

Once the pastor and the congregation have been tentatively selected, on-site visits will be made to the congregation to provide a two-hour dialogue with its members in order to clarify expectations. Following this dialogue, if there is positive interest in proceeding with this covenant, a one-day workshop will be held in the congregation to give additional preparation for understanding its commitment. Following this daylong workshop, if the congregation agrees to commit, then a covenant document will be signed.

For more information or clarification, contact your mission center president or Tom Mountenay, coordinator for the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative or by phone 800 825 2806 ext. 2404.