Resources from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

  • An outline of the steps into licensed and ordained ministry

    An outline of the steps into licensed and ordained ministry

    General Board of Higher Education and Ministry page to guide and direct ministerial candidates

  • The Ministry of the Deacon

    The Ministry of the Deacon

    Deacons are called by God, authorized by the church, and ordained by a bishop to a lifetime ministry of Word, Service, Compassion, and Justice, to both the community and the congregation in a ministry that connects the two. Deacons exemplify Christian discipleship and create opportunities for others to enter into discipleship. The work of deacons is the work of justice, serving, and equipping others to serve the needy, neglected, and marginalized with compassion. In the congregation the deacon leads, teaches, and proclaims the Word in forming and nurturing disciples.

  • The Ministry of the Elder

    The Ministry of the Elder

    Elders lead and serve the entire church in the ministries of Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service. The elder has primary responsibility for Word, the apostolic task of communicating the faith and proclaiming God’s Word. This includes primary responsibility for the preaching and teaching ministry, although preaching in the United Methodist tradition also includes the lay minister, the local pastor, and the associate member. The elder is responsible for administering the sacraments and ordering the ministry of the church. Most elders serve as pastors in charge of local congregations. However, elders may be appointed to extension ministries (¶343), and serve in a variety of settings. Bishops and district superintendents are chosen from among ordained elders, because the ordering of ministry and administering the Discipline are the elders’ responsibilities.

  • The Ministry of the Licensed Local Pastor

    The Ministry of the Licensed Local Pastor

    A local pastor answers God’s call to serve the mission of Jesus Christ through serving a local congregation in The United Methodist Church. When appointed, the local pastor performs the usual duties of a pastor, including preaching and teaching; leading in worship and liturgy; receiving new members; performing the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion; and the services of marriage (where state laws allow), burial, and confirmation. The local pastor’s authority is only within the appointment setting and does not extend beyond it. The local pastor is not ordained, and serves under the authority of a license for pastoral ministry after completing the steps outlined below and meeting any annual conference requirements.

  • Guidelines for Continuing Education Funds

    Guidelines for Continuing Education Funds

    . The Board of Ordained Ministries provides guidelines to encourage clergy members of our conference to apply for continuing education funding by showing the possibilities for funding. The foundation for our Conference’s continuing education program for clergy is the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2008 Discipline ¶ 351

  • Exploring Your Call

    Exploring Your Call

    General Board of Higher Education and Ministry site with resources on seminaries, grants and other information for Methodists aspiring to be clergy or lay leaders