Healthy churches need healthy pastors
Credentialing
We seek to develop the heart, head, and hands of women and men called into ministry through a process involving mentoring relationships, academic courses, and practical hands-on ministry. The Head, Heart, Hands model outlines 15 outcomes that are developed through the Ordination Process.
3 Stages of Ordination
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1) Becoming a Local Ministerial Candidate
An individual, sensing the call of God and the church to pastoral ministry, is first licensed as a local ministerial candidate (LMC). The call is affirmed by service in the local church where initial training begins.
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2) Becoming a Conference Ministerial or Consecrated Deacon Candidate
The individual is accepted by the annual conference as a conference ministerial candidate (CMC) or consecrated deacon candidate. The candidate also prepares for the third step through coursework and service.
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3) Becoming Ordained as Elder or Consecrated as a Deacon
Upon meeting the respective core competencies and approval by the conference Ministerial Education and Guidance (MEG) Board, a candidate is recommended for consecration as a deacon or for ordination as elder becomes a full member upon approval of the annual conference.