Fellowship & Ministry

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UECA Fellowship

Fellowship & Membership Matters

At UECA you will often hear us say: Fellowship & Membership matters! We believe in church fellowship is the deep rooted connection in church membership because we believe it is a concept that is biblically rooted and enormously  important for the health of the church. As stated in our core values, according to the Bible, church membership is a commitment every Christian should make to attend, love, serve, and submit to a body of Christ. (local church)

Why is church fellowship important?

Biblical church fellowship is important because the church presents God’s witness to himself in the world. It displays his glory. In the church’s membership, then, non-Christians should see in the lives of God’s changed people that God is holy and gracious and that his gospel is powerful for saving and transforming sinners.

If you are interested in learning more about church fellowship and becoming a strong part of the UECA membership in general, or considering membership with UECA Fellowship, you can email ministry office: admin-center@ueca.org, and you can request to have one of our membership staff to call you.

We also would love to have you participate in one of our Fellowship Center: Connect365 Resource Center (Coming Soon) , upcoming events, biblical classes, etc. There is no obligation to join our church. You can learn more about what the Bible teaches about church membership, and specifically about becoming a member of UECA Fellowship.

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Ministerial Development

We are called into services by God to provide spiritual network, to equip, educate, encourage, empower, and endorse the servants of Christ, but also establish a strong network of men and women of the Kingdom of God moving forward in helping others change their lives for the better. 

Ministries Leadership Certifications

Many people ask the question concerning the distinctions between lay-ministers, licensed and ordained ministers, which one must understand that it vary by the religious organizations that issue these credentials. In some organizations, ministerial certifications of lay-ministers and license ministers may be an initial step in the path to full ordination. Lay-Minister certifications is a way for any or all denomination to sanction the ministry of someone who does not have the training or experiences to become a license minister or a full ordain minister and the credentials that is needed, but who is nonetheless engaged in an active ministry in a local church, outreach or faith base organization.

Reasons for Distinction

The reasons for making distinctions between the 3 also may vary by denomination. In some denominations, seminary students or candidates for ministerial accreditations & credential must first undergo a probationary period as a lay-minister or a licensed minister. Another reason why a denomination might grant lay-minister credentials and/or license minister credentials is to address a lack of trained clergy in a specific geographical area. These denominations active laypeople who lack ministerial education to serve as license, ordained, and/or pastors of congregations. UECA Inc. strive to train and educate each individual through the process so one can be effective, and be able to work in different fields of ministries, and other denominations so one can achieve their goal of becoming a license or ordain ministers, while providing accountability and support in order to perform specific ministries duties, leadership or within full or part-time basis as a Pastoral leader.

Differing Levels of Ministers

Even though some denominations may restrict the activities of a lay-minister or licensed minister to performing certain clergy duties, such as preaching, while not permitting him to officiate at weddings or funerals. Other denominations may allow licensed ministers to perform any rite or sacrament, but only within a local church. UECA Inc. train ministers in all area’s, so when the time come they will be prepared and is able to perform their duties correctly and effectively to ensure a positive outcome.

Education and Training

In partnership & fellowship with the Alliances for Christian Training & Seminary (ACTS Biblical Institute & Theology), we set out to establish a in-depth training course, educational standards, and internship for all individuals who are working toward in becoming a licensed ministers and ordained ministers. In process of being a member of UECA Inc, we consider all our members as part of the lay-ministers position, sharing different aspect of serving God through the method of discussions, biblical studies, audio and video sermons. This grants each individual the opportunity to truly know if their heart is following the right path.

In the process of doing so, it is important for those who are seeking certifications must obtain their certificate of lay-minister accreditations through our self-study program, student discussion group, and a one on one counseling session with one of our mentors. In order to obtain certification from UECA, it is require that each individual maintain a good standing progress, be involved within their church, outreach or faith base organization, and continue to share their progress with their spiritual mentor.

Once approved to move forward into the studies of license or ordained minister, they will attend all required course work and studies that is taught through ACTS Biblical Institute & Theology, as well as attending required discussion groups and/or clergy meeting in order to obtain a full outline of being a effective minister within their community.

Those working toward their ordination certification requirements are more advanced, and is more involved within programs, internship, and community advocacy projects within the study program, this is a important standard, which continue to allow our credentials and accreditations to be accepted by many different churches, outreach ministries and faith base organizations. We will not have it any other way, for we take our duties and spiritual calling very seriously, and we want those attending educational program to do the same.

Many of our ordained ministers have step forward and obtain their accreditation within our “National Leadership Conference for Christian Chaplains, Counselors & Ordain Ministers Inc. project, and is now also teaching up and coming ministers of today.  This level of accreditation requires ordained ministers to complete a sequence of seminary-level courses and attend our theology educational programs specifically for those seeking to work in the field of Christian Counseling, Chaplains, and Pastoral Formation.

Spiritual Development Certifications & Accreditations

Disclaimer: It is by vision of God, the blessing of God, and the calling of God, that our Ministerial Council Board make decisions concerning certifications and accreditations for each individual who apply for any and all license in ministry of the UECA Inc. For any questions concerning decisions making or approval outcome please direct all questions to: Council-Committee

Lay-Minister Certifications

Lay ministers are a term used for ministers of faiths in Christian denominations who are not ordained or license in their faith tradition. Lay ministers are people who are elected by the pastor, bishop, or church etc., as a position of leadership within ministry, church services, outreach programs and more. They may have theological degrees and training, which may be required in certain instances, but not all churches or ministries require this qualification. Lay ministers are generally chosen in many church communities where their skills and faith are needed in the roles & duties within the body of Christ. Some duties of a lay minister may vary according to their assigned position. A certified lay minister is called and equipped to teach the Word, conduct public worship, care for the congregation, develop faith communities, lead small groups, or establish community outreach ministries as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergyperson. 

Lay ministers are required to obtain certification in Evangelism. Lay Ministers come from a wide diversity of occupations and backgrounds and provide a vital link to the world of work, witnessing to the unchanging love of God in their communities and in their everyday lives. How an individual’s ministry develops is dependent upon his or her individual strengths, the balance of skills within the ministry team and the particular needs of the benefice. Some may have a focus on leading worship; others may be more involved in pastoral work or outreach.

Lay minister's certifications are considered to be the very first step becoming a license minister in order to the blessing of becoming a Ordain minister.

Lay minister certification course is a self-path study, through ACTS Institute.

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Ordination Certifications

A person called by God into Christian ministry is called to prepare. Your preparation process will include formal education, ministry experience and a variety of assessments. Your formal education will provide a vital foundation of knowledge and skills for ministry. Our path of Study for ministerial preparation is in-depth, unique, productive and varies of educational process, and the variety of pathways available to you.

The UECA Foundation & Fellowship in partnership with ACTS Biblical Institute & Theology is committed to a high standard of educational preparation for its ministers. The goal is for every minister to develop certain abilities and capacities, categorized into four areas of preparation: Content, Competency, Character and Context.

  • CONTENT covers the basic knowledge and perspective you will need in the areas of Bible, theology, doctrine, and church history.
  • COMPETENCY develops you for the wide variety of ministry responsibilities involving communication, administration, critical thinking, pastoral care and counseling, and leading in worship.
  • CHARACTER builds up the life of the minister in the areas of personal awareness and growth, ethics, and spiritual formation.
  • CONTEXT shapes in the minister capacities to analyze, engage, and reach local communities for the sake of the gospel.

The focus of the educational preparation required of all ministers is called "the Pathway Course of Study" -- an array of studies and practicums that develop the range of abilities described above.

Recognizing that those preparing to serve as ordain ministers represent a wide variety of circumstances and settings, the ministry and committees of UECA & ACTS has approved several avenues or paths for completing the Course of Study. Choosing the path of your educational preparation for ministry is one of your most important decisions on this journey. As you prayerfully consider your options, be sure you also consult with those who understand the requirements of ministerial preparation.  Rather than consider only cost and convenience, approach this decision from the perspective of gaining the best preparation for a lifetime of ministry.

There 2 pathways of study:

  1. Self-study platform: This path will allow you to decide on what course you will start with, and time it takes you to complete the course.
  2. Instructor path platform: Each course is taught by one of our instructors at a certain time and date, and each student must complete the course at the period which it shall end.