Board of Ordained Ministry

For additional Board of Ordained Ministry information and forms, please click on the Board of Ordained Ministry title on the right.

 Is God Calling You?

All of us are called to use our gifts and talents the best we can. In the church we call this ministry. Some of us are called to ordained ministry. Click here if you think God is calling you and follow the road to discovery.

Pastoral Leadership Search Effort (PLSE). The Pastoral Leadership Search Effort (PLSE), pronounced "pulse", is a partnership between The Fund for Theological Education, Inc. (FTE) and each of four Protestant denominations: the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Episcopal Church , the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church . Why did we formalize an effort to search for pastoral leaders? Because we observe that young Christians don't often consider ministry - especially congregational leadership - as their life's work. PLSE is one way to begin to change this situation and strengthen the pulse of the church.

What is the Board of Ordained Ministry? The Board of Ordained Ministry is in place to maintain:
•primary responsibility for the enlistment and recruitment of ordained clergy;
•guidance of candidates through the disciplinary requirements for commissioning, probationary membership, consecration, ordination, and professional certification;
•education and training for local pastors, District Committees on Ministry, mentors, and local church Staff-Parish Relations committees; liaison with retired clergy, and those on leave, honorable location, etc.;
•support for clergy career development and evaluation of ministerial effectiveness;
•support for the Order of Deacon and Order of Elder;
•interpretation of the high ethical standards set forth in the Discipline and study of matters pertaining to character;
•administration of a portion of the Ministerial Education Fund and promotion of a system of financial aid to ministerial students; and
cooperation with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in interpreting legislation and keeping records.
— The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2008 ¶ 635.