Transfer of Standing

When ordained ministers move from the bounds of one Association to another, they are required to transfer their ordained ministerial standing to the new Association. 

Procedures for those seeking a transfer of standing:

You will first need to contact the Metropolitan Boston Association to inform us of your intention to transfer your standing, the reasons for seeking this transfer, and to set up an appointment with the Committee on Ministerial Standing. 

You will then need to have the following items sent to the office two weeks before your meeting with the Committee on Ministerial Standing:

1. Certificate of Transfer of Standing. You will need to request this from the Association or Conference where your standing is now held. That Association or conference will send it directly to the MBA office, 230 Second Ave., Suite 110, Waltham, MA 02451.
2. A copy of the signed call and financial contract with your new congregation.
3. A letter from the church supporting you in your request for transfer of standing.
4. Certificate of your membership in the church and/or a date when you will become a member.
5. The names and phone numbers of three leaders of the church who will be able to accompany you when you meet with the Committee on Ministerial Standing. We suggest such people as the Moderator, Search Committee Chair/member, Trustee/Stewardship Committee member and Deacon.

After you have arranged to have the five aforementioned items sent to the Association office, you will then prepare and mail a paper (or papers) to each member of the Committee on Ministerial Standing. It is our hope that your preparation of the paper(s) as well as our subsequent discussion with you, and those accompanying you, will genuinely nurture, encourage and inform the new ministry you have undertaken together as a pastor and congregation. Remember, the two papers listed below can be done separately, or jointly authored as one document.

1. The paper from the church shall acquaint us with the mission/ministry/goals of your congregation; how you see the pastor helping the church develop its life and mission; how you plan to nurture your pastor in his/her vocational, personal and spiritual life;
2. The paper from the pastor shall acquaint us with your previous ministry; how your background equips you for your present responsibilities; how you will work with the lay leadership in nurturing the life and ministry of this congregation; any personal information you may wish to share about yourself.

This paper(s) should be mailed to each Committee member at least seven days before your scheduled meeting.

When you contact the MBA office, (781)890-1444 or macucc.waltham@verizon.net, to confirm your appointment, labels will be sent to you.