What does the Association do?
In the United Church of Christ, our Associations are the front lines of care for our churches and ministers. Because local relationships are so important to our polity, Associations provide the primary connection between churches and ministers.
Churches exist in covenant with one another first and foremost in the Association. The Central Southeast Ohio Association (CSEOA) is concerned with the welfare of all Local Churches within its boundaries. When you need support, the Association is your first call. When churches require help beyond their own resources, the Association comes alongside to support and partner with them. Support is provided by our paid staff (the Association Minister and Administrative Minister), and the volunteers who serve on Council and with the Committee on Ministry.
Associations also provide the main avenue of accountability and support for authorized ministers, as well as for those who are prayerfully considering a call to authorized ministry. All authorized ministers maintain membership in a local church and standing in the Association, and the Association provides the ecclesiastical oversight.
People who are discerning a call to ordained ministry in the UCC meet regularly with a team of CSEOA clergy and lay volunteers (Department of Preparation for Authorized Ministry, aka DPAM) as they seek authorization for ministry in and on behalf of the UCC. Once authorized, clergy are accountable to and receive support from another team (Department of Church and Authorized Ministers, aka DCAM) who check in regularly for vocational discernment, ensure that ministers are following best practices regarding pastoral boundaries and anti-racism work, and hold clergy accountable to their ordination vows and promise to maintain covenant. If churches and pastors have a disagreement, the Association Minister and/or DCAM can assist with mediation and help all parties understand each other. The Association Minister and DCAM also have the joy of facilitating pastoral installations and welcoming clergy who are transferring into the Association from other Associations or from other Christian denominations.
Central Southeast Ohio Association 