Continuing Education Requirements

Approved Continuing Education

The selection of course work is determined by each individual but should have some direct application to improve the practice of ministry.

Any continuing education workshop, class, course, or program approved by the Keystone Conference as continuing education is automatically approved by the Covenant Association. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Workshops at Association, Annual Conference, and General Synod meetings;

• Courses and workshops at local seminaries and colleges;

• Online leadership courses;

• Community workshops/lectures; and

• Clergy retreats.

The Covenant Association also approves:

• Workshops offered in other UCC Conferences;

• Workshops offered by denominationally affiliated judicatories, including ELCA, Presbyterian Church USA, Reformed Church of America, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Canada, and the Moravian Church;

• Spirit on Tap and Theology with a Twist;

• Courses approved by state licensing boards;

• PA Academy of Ministry;

• PA State Sunday School Teachers Association;

• Workshops approved by established local ministeriums; and

• Workshops listed as approved on the Covenant Association’s website.

Additional courses/workshops are approved at the discretion of the Covenant Association’s COM.

Hours Needed

All Authorized Ministers need to complete continuing education hours to maintain standing. Full-time Authorized Ministers are to complete 40 contact hours every three years. Part-time Ministers are to complete 20 contact hours every three years. Two of these hours need to consist of diversity training.

One contact hour consists of 50-60 minutes.

For simplicity in record keeping, the Covenant Association uses set three-year time periods, based on calendar years. They are as follows:

2024-2026

2027-2029

2030-2032

…and so on, following that three-year cycle.

Authorized Ministers who are transferring to the Covenant Association from another association, conference, or denomination that does not have similar continuing education requirements will be on a pro-rated schedule. As of the date of being granted standing within the Covenant Association, within their first three year cycle: full-time ministers need twelve contact hours for each full year they have standing within the Covenant Association; and part-time need 6 contact hours for each full year. The same pro-rated schedule will be for newly Authorized Ministers within the Covenant Association.

It is the responsibility of each Authorized Minister to keep records of their own continuing education, maintaining a career long file of that documentation. Ministers should be prepared to present a record of their continuing education as a part of their periodic support consultations, and if otherwise requested by the COM.

Continuing Education Opportunities

Occasional continuing education opportunities can be found on the Lifelong Learning page of the Keystone Conference web site.

Other opportunities can be found in the Covenant Association’s weekly e-blast:

Self-Reporting

Authorized Ministers and other clergy are now required to self-report their continuing education hours on the Lifelong Learning page of the Keystone Conference web site.