Concordat concerning the Joint Training of Evangelical Reformed Pastors (male and female) and their Admission to Church Service

The Reformed Churches (Concordat Churches) affiliated with the Swiss Federation of Protestant Churches (SFPC) involved in this Concordat hereby affirm their commitment to

a. promote an equivalent education for ministers within the Swiss Protestant Churches,

b. ensure a range of ecclesiastical training opportunities commensurate with needs,

c. uniformly regulate the requirements for admission to church service,

d. establish the foundations for continuing education accompanying induction during the initial years of service.

The Concordat Churches undertake to recognise the certificate of aptitude, issued in accordance with the principles of this Concordat, for the exercise of an Evangelical Reformed pastorate (certificate of eligibility).

II. Organs and Responsibilities

Organs of the Concordat are

a. the Concordat Conference,

b. the Bureau of the Concordat Conference,

c. the standing committees of the Concordat Conference,

d. the ad hoc committees of the Concordat Conference.

1 The Concordat Conference is the supreme concordat authority. It is composed of one authorized representative each from the Church Councils or Synodal Councils of the Concordat Churches. The appointment and remuneration of the representation is the responsibility of the Concordat Churches.

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2 The President of the Church Council of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Zurich chairs the conference. Otherwise, the Concordat Conference constitutes itself. It has a secretariat.

3 The Concordat Conference shall have the following tasks

a. Decision-making on the partial or complete amendment of the

Concordat for submission to the Concordat Churches,

b. Enactment of training regulations,

c. Enactment of appeal regulations,

d. Enactment of rules of procedure for the Concordat Conference, the Bureau

of the Concordat Conference, and the office for ecclesiastical

training,

e. Enactment of further ordinances and regulations that are necessary for the

implementation of the Concordat,

f. Election of the first and second vice-presidents,

g. Election of the members of the Training Commission,

h. Election of the members of the Examination Commission,

i. Election of the members of the Commission for Ecclesiastical Suitability

Declaration,

j. Election of the members of the Appeals Commission,

k. Establishment of ad hoc commissions and election of their members,

l. Determination of the budget,

m. Approval of the annual accounts,

n. Performance of tasks and decision-making on questions that do not fall

within the competence of another Concordat body.

The Bureau of the Concordat Conference consists of the President and the first and second Vice-Presidents of the Concordat Conference. The Secretary of the Concordat Conference participates in the meetings with an advisory vote. The term of office for the first and second Vice-Presidents is four years.

The office of the Concordat Conference is responsible for the following tasks

a. Preparation of the business of the Concordat Conference,

b. Submitting proposals to the Concordat Conference and executing its decisions,

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c. Employment and management of the person responsible for the office for ecclesiastical training,

d. Employment of the secretary of the Concordat Conference,

e. Other tasks assigned to it by the Concordat Conference.

1 The standing commissions of the Concordat Conference are

a. the Training Commission,

b. the Examination Commission,

c.³ the Commission for the Clarification of Ecclesiastical Suitability,

d. the Appeals Commission.

2 The term of office for commission members is four years. The remuneration of commission members is borne by the Concordat account.

3 1 The Training Commission shall consist of five elected members and one representative each from the theological faculties of the Universities of Basel and Zurich. A representative of the Office for Ecclesiastical Training shall participate in the meetings with an advisory vote and the right to submit motions.

2 The organisation and procedure of the Training Commission shall be governed by the Training Regulations.

3 The Training Commission shall be responsible for

a. Issuing the necessary regulations within the framework of the Training Regulations,

b. Further developing and continuously adapting the training to the needs of ecclesiastical work and submitting corresponding proposals to the Concordat Conference,

c. Ensuring the cooperation of all institutions and bodies involved in ecclesiastical training,

d. Generally determining the recognition of theological trainings and degrees obtained at universities other than the theological faculties of the Universities of Basel and Zurich,

e. Fulfilling further tasks assigned by the Training Regulations or the Concordat Conference.

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1 The Examination Board

1 The Examination Board consists of twelve members.

2 The Training Regulations govern the organization and procedure of the Examination Board as well as the ecclesiastical examinations.

3 The Examination Board is responsible for verifying the prerequisites for admission to and the conduct of the ecclesiastical examinations, including the order of supplementary academic achievements.

3 1 The Commission for Ecclesiastical Suitability Clarification consists of five members.

**2 The Training Regulations govern the organization and procedure of the Commission for Ecclesiastical Suitability Clarification, as well as the Ecclesiastical Suitability Clarification itself.**

**3 The Commission for Ecclesiastical Suitability Clarification is responsible for deciding on the successful completion of the Ecclesiastical Suitability Clarification before entering the curacy (Lernvikariat) and before its conclusion.**

1 The Appeals Commission consists of five members. It decides appeals with a three-member panel.

2 The Appeals Ordinance regulates the organization and procedure of the Appeals Commission.

III. Office for Ecclesiastical Training

1 The Concordat Churches establish an office for ecclesiastical training.

2 The office for ecclesiastical training conducts vocational training events for candidates for the pastoral office during their theological studies, supplementing the academic curriculum and especially before entering church service, and provides continuing education accompanying the induction into office during the first years of service.

1 The Working Group for Ecclesiastical Training is particularly responsible for

a. Organization, implementation, and evaluation of all ecclesiastical training programs of the Concordat within the framework of the training regulations, especially for the pastoral internship (learning curacy/vicarage),

b. Mentoring candidates for the pastorate during the learning curacy/vicarage,

c. Ensuring a program for continuing education accompanying the induction into office during the first years in office.

2 The rules of procedure particularly regulate the legal status and duties of the delegates of the Working Group for Ecclesiastical Training.

The personnel costs for the agents of the office

for ecclesiastical formation and their secretariats, as well as the costs

for infrastructure and material expenses, are borne by the Concordat

account.

IV. Ecclesiastical Formation

1 Ecclesiastical training guides theology students to connect the acquired academic knowledge and practical experiences in such a way that they are qualified to take on an ecclesiastical ministry in a Concordat Church.

2 Ecclesiastical training comprises

a. Accompanying internships or courses in ecclesiastical fields of activity during their studies and ecclesiastical examinations,

b. a learning vicarage in a parish, including training events and the practical examination in accordance with the training regulations,

c. training events for continuing education accompanying the induction into office during the first years of service.

3 The training regulations govern admission to ecclesiastical training as well as the content, goals, tasks, and framework conditions of ecclesiastical training.

### 3 1 Application for the learning curacy is made through the Concordat Church to which the candidate for the pastoral office belongs. Admission requirements are

a. Recommendation from a Concordat Church,

b. Legal capacity and the presence of the necessary personal qualifications,

c. Completion of a theological Master's degree at the theological faculties of the Universities of Basel or Zurich, or a Master's degree in theology recognized as equivalent by the Education Commission,

d. Successful completion of the ecclesiastical training events provided during the course of study,

e. Proof of successful completion of the Ecclesiastical Suitability Assessment,

f. Not older than 58 years at the time of entry into the learning curacy.

2 The Concordat Churches shall communicate legally binding decisions regarding the refusal of the recommendation pursuant to para. 1 lit. a to the Presidium of the Concordat Conference for the attention of the other Concordat Churches. These are entitled to apply such a decision in their own area in the same manner.

3 If the recommending Concordat Church covers all costs incurred for the learning curacy and continuing education during the first years of office, candidates for the pastoral office who have reached the age of 58 at the time of entry into the learning curacy shall also be admitted.

3 1 The practical examination comprises the proof of competence

established by the training regulations.

2 The learning curacy is considered passed as soon as

a. the practical examination has been passed by fulfilling the proof of competence established by the training regulations,

b. the course and practical time required in the training regulations has been completed, and

c. a final qualification within the framework of the Ecclesiastical Suitability Declaration has been successfully completed.

3 The practical examination and the final qualification according to para. 2

take place before the completion of the learning curacy.

V. Eligibility for Election³

The Concordat Conference issues the certificate of eligibility for election after the successful completion of the practical examination. The competent Concordat Church carries out the ordination on the basis of the certificate of eligibility for election.

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2 1 Holders of the certificate of eligibility who resign or are expelled

from a member church of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches or from an

evangelical church abroad that is a member of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (GEKE)

or the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), lose their certificate of eligibility.

2 The Concordat Conference may, upon application by a Concordat

Church, withdraw the certificate of eligibility from its holders if

a. they have become incapacitated,

b. they have repeatedly or seriously neglected their duties in pastoral

activities,

c. their trustworthiness appears to be seriously impaired in other ways,

in particular due to conviction for a custodial sentence or a

fine as a result of a felony or misdemeanor,

d. for other reasons, they no longer possess the necessary personal

qualifications for service in the Church.

VI. Admission to Church Service

Whoever has been ordained on the basis of a certificate of eligibility for election issued by the Concordat Conference is admitted to ecclesiastical service in all Concordat Churches. Reserved are the personal prerequisites for eligibility required by the law of the individual Concordat Churches.

1. The Concordat Churches shall promptly communicate legally binding decisions regarding the withdrawal or loss of eligibility, as well as rehabilitations, concerning holders of eligibility certificates, to the Presidium of the Concordat Conference, for the attention of the other Concordat Churches.

2. The Concordat Churches are entitled to give effect to legally binding decisions regarding the withdrawal or loss of eligibility, as well as rehabilitations, within their own sphere in the same manner.

The individual Concordat Churches are entitled to admit to their church service, in addition to the holders of a certificate of eligibility issued by the Concordat Conference, other pastors. These are eligible only for the territory of the corresponding Concordat Church.

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VII. Information Exchange²

2 1 Each concordat church is entitled, in individual cases and within the framework of a formal report, to obtain information from another concordat church regarding the suitability of a person for church service, if

a. this person requests a recommendation in accordance with Art. 17 lit. a,

b. this person applies for a pastoral position in the inquiring concordat church,

c. the withdrawal of the certificate of eligibility or electability is envisaged for this person within the framework of a due process procedure.

2 The obtaining of information in accordance with para. 1 must be notified to the person in advance.

3 The concordat church requested in accordance with para. 1 shall disclose the information it possesses, in particular personal data and special personal data, concerning the suitability of a person for church service. When disclosing, it shall safeguard the legitimate interests of the person concerned and third parties, as well as ecclesiastical and public interests.

VIII.3 Administration of Justice

3 Decisions of the Bureau of the Concordat Conference, the Training Commission, the Commission for Ecclesiastical Aptitude Assessment, and the Examination Commission within the framework of examination and admission procedures may be appealed to the Appeals Commission. The decision of the Appeals Commission is final.

IX.3 Financing

3 1 The expenses for ecclesiastical training in accordance with the Concordat and the activities of the Concordat bodies shall be borne proportionally by the Concordat churches.

2 The rules of procedure determine the expenses of the Concordat to be jointly financed and regulate the distribution key, invoicing, accounting, and its review.

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X.3 Accession and Withdrawal

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1 The Concordat is open to all member churches of the FSPC. By acceding, they declare their agreement with the obligations arising from the Concordat.

2 Withdrawal from the Concordat is possible at any time, subject to a one-year notice period effective at the end of a calendar year.

3 Declarations of accession and withdrawal must be addressed to the Presidium of the Concordat Conference.

XI.3 Revision

The partial or complete amendment of the Concordat requires a decision by the Concordat Conference in accordance with Art. 5 lit. a, as well as the consent of the majority of the Concordat Churches by means of a legally binding decision of their competent organs.

XII.3 Final and Transitional Provisions

1 This Concordat replaces the Concordat concerning the mutual admission of Evangelical-Reformed pastors into church service dated March 6, 1967, with its subsequent amendments. It shall enter into force on January 1, 2004, provided that by this date at least five member churches of the SEK have declared their accession through a legally binding resolution of their competent organs.

2 The Concordat shall cease to be effective if, due to withdrawals, it comprises fewer than five Concordat churches.

1 Pending the entry into force of the implementing decrees in accordance with