One path to ministry
in the United Methodist Church is the
Licensed Local Pastor. A local pastor
is a person not ordained as an elder who
is appointed to preach and conduct
divine worship and perform the duties of
a pastor (¶340).
The process begins
with candidacy studies. Following
completion of Candidacy Studies, the
person seeking to be a local pastor
attends Licensing School. Upon
successful completion of this short
course, the candidate may be granted a
license to preach and lead a
congregation as a local pastor.
Continuation as a
Local Pastor requires ongoing
preparation for annual conference
membership, either through college and
seminary, or through the Course of Study
(COS). The Course of Study for License
as a Local Pastor is a joint enterprise
between the district Committee on
Ordained Ministry, the BOOM, and the
General Board of Higher Education. The
course of study requires a minimum of 80
contact hours of instruction that
emphasizes development of both knowledge
and skill in the functions of ministry,
including Public Worship, Pastoral Care
for Spiritual Formation, Organization of
the Parish, and Educational Ministries
in the Church.
A candidate for the
license as a Local Pastor must have:
 | been graduated from
an accredited High School or its
equivalent |
| been a member in
good standing of the United Methodist
Church for a minimum of two years
prior to application, including at
least one year of service in some form
of congregational leadership
|
| read the book
The Christian as Minister and
completed the Ministry Inquiry
Process |
| explored candidacy
for ordained ministry with a candidacy
mentor |
| been recommended by
the candidate's local charge
conference |
| completed the
candidacy program with certification
by the district Committee on Ordained
Ministry |
| Be at least 40
years of age |
