Eligibility

CREDO conferences are scheduled in coordination with site availability and the Church liturgical calendar. At least 12 CREDO conferences are offered each year throughout the spring and fall.

Each CREDO cohort is limited to 28 participants to foster the flourishing of small cohort communities.

Due to high demand, ministers may only attend CREDO once. Previous attendees are not currently eligible for future CREDO conferences.

Invitation process

All eligible plan members are invited to the conference type for which they are eligible.

Every summer, the Board creates invitation lists for each conference type based on age, PC(USA) ordination year, plan participation, and job title.

By mid-August, eligible invitees receive a save the date for registration (including the next year’s conference dates and locations) at their primary email address on file with the Board. By mid-September, at the same email address, invitees receive an invitation with the registration link. Invitees are encouraged to register right away, as seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once registration is full, invitees will have the opportunity to sign up for a waitlist.

In unique circumstances, such as transfer of ordination from another denomination, someone may be invited to a conference that does not reflect their lived ministry experience. They are encouraged to reach out to the CREDO office as soon as possible to request an invitation to a more appropriate conference type.

Note: This page now reflects job titles used for eligibility that were previously described as roles in congregational ministry. This does not reflect a change in the Board’s eligibility criteria, but rather offers details of how congregational ministry is defined for the purposes of CREDO eligibility.

Recently ordained ministers

Recently ordained CREDO conferences are for plan members ordained in the PC(USA) fewer than five years.

Recently ordained registrants commit to a unique two-year program. The same cohort completes both a Year A and Year B conference week scheduled one year apart. Both years’ conference dates are provided upon registration. Participants are encouraged to connect with their small groups and faculty team during the bridge year between the two conferences.

Recently ordained CREDO invitations are sent to those

• enrolled in Pastor's Participation or Minister's Choice;
• age 25–65;
• ordained in the PC(USA) fewer than five years.

Mid-career pastors

Mid-career CREDO conferences are for plan members ordained for five or more years serving in particular congregational roles within the church.

Mid-career CREDO invitations are sent to those

• enrolled in Pastor's Participation or Minister's Choice;
• age 30-65;
• ordained in the PC(USA) five or more years ago; and
• currently serving a congregation with one of the following job titles: pastor or co-pastor, associate pastor, designated pastor or designated associate pastor, interim pastor or associate pastor, temporary pastoral relationship, or organizing pastor or evangelist.

Late-career pastors

Late-career CREDO conferences are for those who have been ordained for 10 or more years serving in particular congregational roles within the church.

Late-career CREDO is not intended to prepare attendees for retirement. Board University has a number of online and in-person offerings for those actively discerning retirement. Due to limited space, we ask those within two years of retirement to pursue other Board of Pensions education offerings.

Late-career CREDO invitations are sent to those

• enrolled in Pastor's Participation or Minister's Choice;
• age 55-65;
• ordained in the PC(USA) 10 or more years ago; and
• currently serving a congregation with one of the following job titles: pastor or co-pastor, associate pastor, designated pastor or designated associated pastor, interim pastor or associate pastor, temporary pastoral relationship, or organizing pastor or evangelist.