This term describes procedures followed by recognized churches or church denominations to vest ministerial status on individuals who meet the requirements of the church.

This term is described in the following manner:

1. a. 

   The conduct of religious worship and the ministration of sacerdotal functions (relating to or characteristic of a priest or the priesthood). The tenets and practices of the religious body constituting the church or church denomination determine these functions and duties.

2. b. 

   Service performed in the control, conduct, and maintenance of a religious organization under the authority of a religious body constituting a church or church denomination. Such a religious organization includes an integral agency of a religious organization.

   These services relate directly to directing, managing, or promoting the activities of the organization.

3. c. 

   Service of a type described in RS 01901.600A.2.b., performed for an organization that is neither:

   • •

     a religious body constituting a church or church denomination; nor

   • •

     an organization operated as an integral agency of such a religious organization when service is performed as “assignment or designation” by the church or church denomination.

REMINDER: “Assignment or designation” does not include routine assistance given to the minister seeking a new position of service.

Service as a chaplain is not considered being in the exercise of the ministry when performed:

• •

  in the Armed Forces, such as performed as an officer in the uniformed service; or

• •

  a governmental (Federal, State or local) entity, such as performed as a civil servant.

• •

  in a government-owned and operated hospital (However, services at a church-related hospital or health and welfare institution, or a private nonprofit hospital are considered to be part of the ministry and are considered qualifying services.)

Generally, any duty required by the order, not including service performed in an employment relationship with a third party not affiliated with the order or its supervisory church, is considered to be in the exercise of duties required by the order.

Services performed by ministers and members of religious orders who are not under a vow of poverty have always been excluded from coverage as employment when performed as:

• •

  a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church performing service in the exercise of their ministry, or

• •

  a member of a religious order in the exercise of the duties required by the order.

Services performed by ministers are deemed to be self-employment for Social Security coverage purposes, unless the minister has timely applied for and received an exemption from SECA (Self-Employment Contributions Act) taxes.

However, ministers receive Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) from the church, order, or other employer for which they perform services. The Form W-2 should not show Social Security and Medicare wages or taxes.

NOTE: When the income for ministers is posted to the Master Earnings File as both self-employment earnings and non-covered wages, a special payment also must be posted. See RS 02505.120D.

1. a. 

   Service of chaplains in the Uniformed Services is covered since 01/01/57.

2. b. 

   Service performed by a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister as a chaplain for a privately owned and operated organization is excepted from employment. The chaplain is deemed to be self-employed.

3. c. 

   Service performed by a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister as a chaplain in the employ of the U.S., (including the Armed Services), wholly owned instrumentality of the U.S., the District of Columbia, a State or local governmental entity, a foreign government, or any of their political subdivisions, is not considered in the exercise of the ministry. Rather, it is considered work performed in the employ of the appropriate governmental entity and is employment for Social Security purposes.