AUCE to Partner with APCE January 2027
- AUCE Member
- Aug 20
- 4 min read
The Association is in conversation with the Association of Partners in Christian (APCE) Education to become an official Partner and function as a Network within APCE at its Annual Event in January of 2027. This is exciting news for the resourcing and support of faith formation practitioners through the United Church of Christ!
The AUCE membership will be invited to attend Talk-Back Sessions with the AUCE Board of Directors in late September via Zoom to hear more specifics and to ask questions about what this means for AUCE, AUCE members, and our faith formation ministries.
Watch your e-mail inbox for more information and to register for a Talk-Back Session. Then continue reading for more information about this potential Partnership.
Potential AUCE Covenant Partnership with APCE
Information Sheet
Updated 8/11/26
Q: What does APCE stand for?
A: The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators voted to change its name to the Association of Partners in Christian Education in 2019. APCE has been in existence since 1971 (and is the same “age” as AUCE).
Q: Where can I find out more about APCE?
Q: What is APCE?
A: The Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE) is a network of those who are passionate about educational ministry. They connect, enrich, empower, and sustain one another as they model, teach, and share the story of Jesus Christ. APCE is committed to diversity, equity, and justice in its ministries and through its partnerships.
Q: What are the covenant partnership options with APCE?
A:
Choose to disband and invite members to join APCE.
Maintain own identity (as a Network) and become a covenant partner.
Become affiliated through a Memorandum of Understanding and by paying a fee. (This option is best for organizations such as seminaries and other denominations).
Q: What are APCE Networks?
A: After APCE renewed their structure in 2025, the “Regions” within the previous structure became “Networks.” These Networks function like interest groups such as Youth Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Retired Faith Formation Practitioners, and the like. Members can be a part of more than one Network. This is a flexible system that can both allow old Regions to become Networks, and other groups to become communication and connection groups. In the old regional system, the Partner denominations/groups were their own “Region.” Now they can more realistically function as Networks.
Q: Please share an example of the option to disband.
A: A small team of APCE leaders walked with the Lutheran Christian Education Network (CEN, a sister organization of AUCE and APCE) to determine the best way to partner with APCE. Since the CEN had 13 members remaining at the time of discussions, they chose to disband and invite their members to join APCE as members (i.e. assimilate).
Q: Who are the current APCE Covenant Partners?
A: These denominational groups have been a part of APCE since before the change of name to Partnership:
Christian Educators Reformed Church in America (CERCA)
Moravian Association of Church Educators (M.A.C.E.)
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Q: What is the current denominational make up of APCE?
A: Due to its history, the bulk of APCE members are Presbyterian (about 80%-85%); however, this figure is shrinking due to the shift in focus on partnerships.
Q: If AUCE became a covenant partner with APCE, could it be a Network?
A: Yes!
Q: If AUCE became a Network within APCE, could it retain its own identity, mission, vision, and goals? Would we still be able to retain our Voice Without Vote standing at General Synod?
A: Yes!
Q: What about AUCE’s current regional groups (especially GLAUCE and NEAUCE)?
A: GLAUCE, NEAUCE, and any other regional AUCE group would still remain in relationship with AUCE, and also has the option to become its own separate Network within APCE. Or, following the polity of the United Church of Christ, they would have the option to continue as a separate organization.
Q: What will happen to AUCE’s current website and Facebook pages/groups?
A: They will remain the same; however, there will be relevant links to APCE’s website and social media.
Q: Which of the current APCE covenant partners most closely resemble AUCE?
A: The Moravians would be the most similar to AUCE, as they are a denomination that is “reformed” in the sense that they came into being after the Reformation; however, like the United Church of Christ, they do not adhere as closely to reformed theology as the Presbyterians, and RCAs do. In terms of structure, CERCA more closely resembles AUCE as it is not a denomination, but an association of faith formation practitioners (Christian educators).
Q: What are the advantages of becoming a covenant partner with APCE?
A: Financial services, website and communication services, representation on the leadership team, connection with ecumenical faith formation colleagues, attend APCE Annual Event at the APCE member rate.
Q: What can AUCE offer to APCE in such a partnership?
A: APCE is already “coveting” the Resources pages on the AUCE website. The mission and vision of AUCE blends well with APCE’s mission and vision and focus on partnership.
Q: What financial issues would need to be addressed when becoming a covenant partner with APCE?
A: Due to the fact that APCE is a 501(c)(3) organization, all funds from each Network need to be audited through APCE, thus AUCE’s funds will need to be transferred to their bank. AUCE would receive a regular bank statement and make requests to APCE for funds. This is the current practice of AUCE with our funds currently housed in Eden Theological Seminary’s bank. AUCE would have representation on the APCE Sustain Committee, which handles funds.
Q: Would AUCE members need to join both AUCE and APCE (i.e. pay two sets of membership dues)?
A: Most likely. This is in the process of being negotiated. Following the practice of the other partner organizations, AUCE members would not be required to join APCE; however, a benefit of APCE membership is receiving a significant discount at the member rate to attend the APCE Annual Event, which would offset the additional cost of the non-member rate. There are also numerous scholarship opportunities for APCE members to attend the Annual Event. Other benefits may include discounts for or free access to continuing education events and programs offered by APCE. A smaller membership fee could be charged for membership in AUCE which would assist AUCE to continue supporting faith-forming ministries within the United Church of Christ.
Q: Does AUCE already have a Memorandum of Understanding with APCE?
A: Yes, and has since the early 2000’s.
Comments