The Office of Ministerial Services resources our 700 plus clergy (active and retired) and our ministry candidates. This is done primarily through the work of the Board of Ordained Ministry. The areas of focus for the Board of Ordained Ministry:
- Nurtures a culture of call to ministry in the conference
- Assists candidates with discernment of call through group mentoring
- Authorizes persons as certified candidates and licensed local pastors through the work of district committees on ordained ministry
- Interviews and recommends candidates for provisional and associate membership
- Interviews and recommends candidates for full membership and ordination
The BOM oversees the following areas:
- Review of credentials for ministers of other denominations and transfers
- Extension Ministers and Appointments Beyond the Local Church
- Licensing School
- Professional and Para-professional certification
- Beginning Pastors Workshop
- Candidacy Retreats
- Clergy Care
- Residents in Ordained Ministry residency
- Continuing education and clergy development
- Conference status changes, including leaves of absence, incapacity leave and retirement
- The Orders of Deacon and Elder and the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members
- Clergy ethics, including training in basic sexual ethics with a focus on self care, boundaries and the challenges of the digital world
- Financial aid for seminary students
