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This event is for persons in the candidacy process, who have already talked with their district superintendent about entering the process. The weekend will include an introduction to the Conference, worship, spiritual formation, psychological evaluations, peer groups with mentors and more.
Registration for the July 2023 Candidacy Summit is now open.
Benefits Information
Can I take seminary classes online?
You have been provided a list of some of the seminaries available to you. Note that some schools provide online learning. Up to two-thirds of seminary work can be done online. One-third is to be done in residence at some location.
Who are Residents in Ministry?
Deacons and elders in the provisional period. Persons who are having their orders recognized or transfer from another denomination are required to do two years of service or to participate in the Residents in Ministry program in Missouri.
What is a licensed local pastor? What are the Course of Study requirements for a licensed local pastor?
Learn more at gbhem.org about Licensing and Course of Study.
Licensed local pastors are licensed each year and under the jurisdiction of the district and its superintendent.
Licensing School gives you license. Then, you take Course of Study, if appointed. Basic Course of Study includes the 20 basic classes generated through GBHEM, typically a part-time local pastor takes two classes per year. A full-time local pastor takes four classes a year, unless they are enrolled in seminary.
Part-Time Ministerial Leaders Course of Study, PML, is available to part-time local pastors from Licensing Schools 2017 and onward. PML is for part-time local pastors and requires an agreement to complete 10 selected courses in the first three years at a discounted rate.
After Course of Study, one could take 32 hours of Advanced Course of Study and apply to become an elder.
Please note, student pastors will need to be licensed to qualify for a grant.
Where can I take Course of Study? How much does it cost?
The Course of Study is a five-year curriculum with four courses each year. It is offered at regional Course of Study schools each summer on the campuses of eight United Methodist seminaries. The closest regional Course of Study schools are is in Leawood, Kansas. Most courses are offered in a two-week module that allows both full-time and part-time local pastors to attend. The cost for a COS class is ~$300 per course.
Missouri offers extension schools in Springfield and Columbia. Check with your district about requirements and restrictions.
A listing of other course of study may be found at www.gbhem.org.
If you go to school in or beyond Missouri, you must submit your grades before the Conference can reimburse you for that course. The Conference reimburses $225 for each class taken with a passing grade.
Are their financial assistance options available for Licensing School?
You can learn more about licensing school and get the most current dates at www.moumethodist.org/licensingschool.
Missouri Conference Licensing School is $450. About $200 is paid by the Conference; the district pays some, if applicable; and the rest is paid by the attendee.
The Missouri Conference Board of Ordained Ministry will pay $200 to someone who attends another licensing school. This is paid as a reimbursement to the clergyperson, not paid up front, and no approval is needed.
Is there financial assistance available through the Conference for seminary?
Learn more about Missouri Conference financial assistance at www.moumethodist.org/scholarships.
GBHEM provides deacon scholarships for core classes. Learn more at GBHEM.org.
Contextual funds, in the form of intern placement as a Cole Scholar, or seminary alum scholarships may also be available. Make sure to check with your local church to see if it has scholarships available.