Covenants Required for All Authorized Ministers Beginning in 2026

As part of our shared commitment to accountable, faithful ministry, the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference will begin requiring all Authorized Ministers working in a called ministry to have a formal Three- or Four-Way Covenant in place starting in 2026.

To support this process, the Conference has developed covenant templates tailored to a variety of ministerial roles and settings, including:

• Authorized Minister Ordained and Serving & Member of a Local Church

• Authorized Minister Serving Outside UCC Local Church (i.e., chaplain, educational, non-profit, military)

• Authorized Minister Retired (Not Exempt Standing)

• Authorized Minister with Exempt Standing

• Authorized Minister with Leave of Absence Standing

• Authorized Minister with Ordained Ministerial Partners Standing Serving a UCC Ministerial Setting

• Authorized Minister with Dual Standing Serving UCC Ministerial Setting

You are encouraged to begin completing the covenant appropriate for your current standing and ministry setting. These covenants help affirm our mutual commitments to support, accountability, and connection in the life of the wider church.

If you're unsure which covenant applies to you, or need assistance in the process, please reach out to a member of the Committee on Ministry (COM-A) or contact Rev. Nikki Stahl, Associate Conference Minister.

Let us continue to strengthen the ties that bind us together in covenantal relationship as we live out our callings with integrity and grace.

Rev. Nikki Stahl
she/her/hers
Associate Conference Minister
Kansas-Oklahoma Conference
United Church of Christ