# SSR 67-6: SSR 67-6: SECTION 210. -- EMPLOYMENT -- SERVICES OF ORDAINED MINISTER IN EXERCISE OF MINISTRY

> Federal · Rulings · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_67_6

## Section

- **Citation:** SSR 67-6
- **Heading:** SSR 67-6: SECTION 210. -- EMPLOYMENT -- SERVICES OF ORDAINED MINISTER IN EXERCISE OF MINISTRY
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Rulings
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Social Security Rulings / OASI / Definition of Employment/Employee / SSR 67-6

## Text

20 CFR 404.1015 and 404.1057

SSR 67-6

The claimant, an ordained minister, taught at B university. The
constitution of the university provides that the university shall be
connected with and conducted as an institution of the R church
denomination or its successors. The university is governed by a Board of
Directors whose members are elected by units of the R church denomination,
and is required to make reports to the church. The university's income is
from tuition and fees, endowments, church contributions, gifts from
alumni, student activities, intercollegiate athletics, etc. An official of
the church denomination has stated that the university is operated under
the authority of the church.

Section 210(a)(8)(A) of the Social Security Act provides that service
performed by a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a
church in the exercise of his ministry or by a member of a religious order
in the exercise of duties required by such order is excluded from the
definition of employment. The phrase "in the exercise of his ministry" has
been interpreted to include the conduct of religious worship and the
ministration of sacerdotal functions, teaching, and administrative
services for an organization operated as an integral agency of a church
denomination or of a religious organization under the authority of a
church denomination and services performed pursuant to an assignment or
designation by a church denomination. (Such service may be covered if the
minister or member of religious order who has not taken a vow of poverty
as a member of the order files within a specified time a certificate under
section 1402(e) of the Internal Revenue Code electing coverage as a
self-employed individual).

The question to be resolved is whether the teaching services performed by
the claimant for B university were in the exercise of his ministry so as
to be excluded from "employment" as that term is defined in section
210(a)(8)(A) of the Social Security Act.
n a specified time a certificate under
section 1402(e) of the Internal Revenue Code electing coverage as a
self-employed individual).

The question to be resolved is whether the teaching services performed by
the claimant for B university were in the exercise of his ministry so as
to be excluded from "employment" as that term is defined in section
210(a)(8)(A) of the Social Security Act.

Sections 404.1015 and 404.1057 of Regulations No. 4 of the Social
Security Administration (20 CFR 404.1015 and 404.1057) provide, in
pertinent part, that the duties of ministers include the ministration of
sacerdotal functions and the conduct of religious worship and the control,
conduct, and maintenance of religious organizations (including the
religious boards, societies, and other integral agencies of such
organizations) under the authority of a religious body constituting a
church or church denomination.

Whether the claimant's teaching services were performed in the exercise
of his ministry depends on whether B university is a religious
organization under the authority of a church or operated as an integral
agency of such a religious organization or a church. In the light of the
facts established in this case, B university is operated as an integral
agency of the R church denomination. It is therefore, held, that
the teaching services performed by the claimant, a duly ordained minister,
for such university were in the exercise of his ministry. Accordingly, his
earnings therefrom may not be credited as wages to his earnings record.

## Nearby sections

- [SSR 61-27 SSR 61-27. BABY SITTER](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_61_27.md)
- [SSR 61-61 SSR 61-61. PHYSICIAN -- PART-TIME SERVICES FOR INDUSTRIAL FIRM](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_61_61.md)
- [SSR 62-14 SSR 62-14. WAGES -- RAILROAD COMPENSATION CREDITABLE UNDER SOCIAL SECURITY ACT](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_62_14.md)
- [SSR 62-30 SSR 62-30. EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP -- PRACTICAL NURSE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_62_30.md)
- [SSR 64-61c SSR 64-61c: SECTION 210(j)(2). -- EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP -- PERFORMANCE OF HOUSEHOLD TASKS AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE WORK ON FAMILY PREMISES BY MEMBER OF FAMILY](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_64_61c.md)
- [SSR 66-31c SSR 66-31c: SECTION 210(j). -- EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP -- WAGES -- VALIDITY OF CORPORATE ENTERPRISE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_66_31c.md)
- [SSR 67-6 SSR 67-6: SECTION 210. -- EMPLOYMENT -- SERVICES OF ORDAINED MINISTER IN EXERCISE OF MINISTRY](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_67_6.md)
- [SSR 67-24 SSR 67-24: SECTIONS 210(j) and 211(a) and (c). -- EMPLOYMENT -- TRADE OR BUSINESS -- FAMILY CARE HOME](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_67_24.md)
- [SSR 69-59 SSR 69-59: SECTION 210(j)(2). -- EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE -- SERVICES PERFORMED BY HOSPITAL PATIENT FOR PRIVATE NURSING HOME UNDER HOSPITAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_69_59.md)
- [SSR 69-60 SSR 69-60: SECTION 210(j)(2). -- EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE -- SERVICES PERFORMED BY A HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUAL IN A SHELTERED WORKSHOP](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_69_60.md)
- [SSR 70-20c SSR 70-20c: SECTIONS 210(a)(9) and 223(c)(1)(B). -- DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS -- INSURED STATUS -- CREDITING OF RAILROAD SERVICE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_70_20c.md)
- [SSR 72-58 SSR 72-58: SECTION 210(j)(2) (42 U.S.C. 410(j)(2)). -- EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP -- STATUS OF SECURITIES SALESMEN](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_72_58.md)
- [SSR 73-11 SSR 73-11: Rescinded 1984](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_73_11.md)
- [SSR 73-13 SSR 73-13: SECTION 210(j)(2) 42 U.S.C. 410(j)(2). -- EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP -- STATUS OF PATIENT HELPERS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_73_13.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_67_6. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
