The Call to Ministry

Feeling an urge to consider ministry as a vocation, but unsure what that means? You are not alone.

Upcoming Events

January 6-8, 2023 - Candidacy Summit
This event is for persons in the candidacy process, who have already talked with their D.S. about entering the process. The weekend will include an introduction to the conference, worship, spiritual formation, psychological evaluations, peer groups with mentors, etc. Registration deadline is December 22, 2022.

Steps to Ministry

Is God calling you?

God calls everyone to love and serve God. God calls some for licensed or ordained ministry. These steps serve two purposes; they help you to deepen your own understanding of your call, and they help us to know you and be a part of your discernment process to be a certified candidate in the United Methodist Church.

View a detailed checklist for candidacy — from discerning a call to licensing or ordination — at the button below.

View the Guide

Resources

Books Related to General Call, Discernment and Vocation

A list of books to help with your discernment process.

Books Related to United Methodism and Clergy Roles

A list of books specifically related to United Methodism and clergy roles in the denomination to help with your discernment process.

The Call to Ministry Web Resources

Online resources to explore as you discern your call.

United Methodist Glossary of Terms

A glossary of terms used in the United Methodist denomination.

Encouraging the Culture of Call in Your Church

Opportunities to encourage persons to consider ordained ministry are constant. We do not need to “create” moments. Still, as local churches and individuals, we could always be more alert to God and to opportunities and moments of contact with persons who might be exploring a call.

Call Stories

How were you called into ministry? Lay and clergy people around Missouri tell how God spoke into their lives and called them to the ministry.

Hear Call Stories