Commissioning & Ordination in Nebraska

In the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), commissioning and ordination are acts of the whole church — a community’s recognition that God has called and equipped a person for ministry. In Nebraska, that recognition is discerned together: the candidate, their congregation, the Regional Minister, and the Center on Church Leadership all play a role in the journey.

Commissioning recognizes a person’s call to a specific ministry context for a particular season. Ordination is a lifelong covenant between a minister and the whole church.

Both are celebrated with joy — and both begin with a conversation.

The CCL’s Role

The Center on Church Leadership is the body that ultimately approves commissioning and ordination for candidates in Nebraska. Candidates will meet with the CCL as part of their discernment process. The CCL reviews each candidate’s preparation, formation, and readiness before making a recommendation.

The Path Forward

There are two pathways to commissioning or ordination in Nebraska — and the right one for you depends on your sense of call, your education, and your context. You don’t need to figure that out before reaching out. That’s what the first conversation is for. When you’re ready, the Regional Minister will help you understand the process, identify your pathway, and introduce you to the people who will walk with you.