Department of Church and Authorized Ministry
As outlined in the Oversight of Ministries Authorized by the United Church of Christ, Section 8 of 10*, of the United Church of Christ Manual on the Ministry, the Department for Church and Authorized Ministry (DCAM) is responsible for administering ecclesiastical standing within the Association; carrying out oversight and disciplinary functions; clergy leadership development and continuing education; nurturing the relationship between clergy and congregations; and nurturing the relationship of clergy and congregations with the United Church of Christ.
The Department of Church and Authorized Ministry (DCAM) members are nominated and elected from the 38 congregations of the Central South East Ohio Association (CSEOA) at each annual meeting of the Association.
The elected members will serve three years so that approximately one-third of the Department is elected annually. DCAM members may be elected for a second term.
DCAM membership is as follows:
- Nine elected members.
- Ministers and laypersons.
- One member appointed by the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ).
- Co-opt members for one year terms (ex-officio)
- CSEOA Association Ministers (ex-officio).
DCAM has oversight of the following four proceedings:
- Periodic Support
- Situational Support Consultation
- Information Review
- Fitness review
In cooperation with the Department of Preparation for Authorized Ministry (DPAM), the Department of Church and Authorized Ministry (DCAM) will connect with the Church and Ministry groups of the Ohio Conference and the United Church of Christ.
Members of the Department for Church and Authorized Ministry
Class of 2022
Rev. Heather Rodenburg, North Church, Columbus
Class of 2023
Ms. Janet Marbly, Advent, Columbus
Rev. Terry Williams, Orchard Hill, Chillicothe
Class of 2024
Mrs. Missy Clum, Trinity, Thornville
Rev. Jackie Nehls, Dublin Community, Dublin Rev. Gunnar Cerda, St. John’s, Newark
Disciples of Christ Representative Rev. Dr. Judy Alston
Department of Church and Preparation for Authorized Ministry
Do you sense God’s call to authorized ministry? DPAM is composed of 12 clergy and lay members elected by the CSEOA to engage persons in a process of discernment listening and preparing for God’s call to authorized ministry. The UCC recognizes 3 forms of authorized ministry: Ordained, Commissioned, and Licensed. Each Member in Discernment (MID) comes recommended by their congregation. The In Discernment Manual, rev 7, Oct 2013 (here or see resources) describes the MID process which is a minimum of two years.
As of January 12, 2017 there are 20 Members in Discernment from 11 congregations: Columbus: Advent UCC, First Congregational, First Community, Move, North Congregational UCC, St Johns; Belpre, Radnor Congregational, Westerville Community UCC, and Zion Delaware.
Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministries
Members of the Department of Preparation for Authorized Ministry:
Class of 2022
Mrs. Jan Anible, Zion, Delaware
Rev. Jay Groat
Rev. John Cramton, North, Columbus Rev. Beth Gedert, Zion, Delaware
Class of 2023
Mr. Mike Newcomb, Zion, Delaware
Rev. Susan Langner, Westerville Community, Westerville Rev. Bill Nirote, Fist Congregational, Columbus
Class of 2024
Rev. James Semmelroth Darnell, David’s, Canal Winchester Ms. Amy LaDu, Dublin Community, Dublin
Rev. Keith McDevitt, Grace, Lancaster
Department of Church Vitality
Consists of nine elected members. The membership shall include ministers and lay persons. The Department may co-opt additional members for one year terms. Co-opted members may have voice but not vote. This department will be staffed by one of the Association Ministers or his/her representative.
The Department shall be responsible for helping congregations develop effective programs to enhance their congregational life, such as Stewardship; Mission Education; Church Growth and Evangelism, deepen their spiritual growth; and strengthen their relationship to and support of the United Church of Christ.
Class of 2022
Mr. Will Smith, First Congregational, Huntington Rev. Heather Giffen, First Congregational, Columbus
Class of 2023
Rev. Joanna Samuelson, Trinity, Baltimore
Class of 2024
Rev. Marla Flewellen, St. Paul, Columbus
Central Southeast Ohio Association 