Inspiring ministerial excellence for the glory of Jesus Christ since 1935
. . . to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and
of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
—Ephesians 4:11-12
Click Here for a List of Resources
for Clergy during the COVID-19 Pandemic
What Makes a Minister Competent?
What makes clergy effective in their role? What competencies are critical to clergy effectiveness? Answering the questions around professional competence is a priority for the Ministers Council.
Other traditions are also engaged with these questions. Here are some of their observations:
Competency List from the Midwest Ministry Development Service
Competency List from the Disciples of Christ
Clergy Effectiveness: National Survey Results Summary (United Methodist Church)
What is the Ministers Council?
We are an independent, non-profit organization of ordained, commission, licensed and lay Christian leaders. Seminarians are also eligible for membership and encouraged to join. (more)
We are the only ABC organization dedicated solely to the well-being of ministers. We serve in increasingly diverse settings including the local church, specialized ministries of chaplaincy, counseling, coaching and spiritual direction, as well as administration, education and community organizing.
Individuals are eligible for membership in this body if they are eligible for inclusion in the Leadership Status list maintained by the American Baptist Churches Information System (ABCIS) and if they pay national dues to this body.
What Do We Do?
We nurture, encourage, and strengthen more than 2000 clergy, counselors, seminarians, and lay leaders. We provide fellowshipping opportunities; spiritual enrichment; and educational programming to fuel the effectiveness of the men and women called of God to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
What Do We Provide?
- Support for regionally based Ministers Council chapters
- Annual gatherings, workshops, retreats for respite, and spiritual and professional development
- Models and best practice guidelines for creating clergy peer groups
- Informative articles and writings for ministers
- Discounts to value-added services through partnerships
- A sense of community for clergy so that no one has to go it alone
How Can You Support the Ministers Council?
Give to our Together in Ministry Fund, which expands the program of clergy peer group learning.
