Equipping disciples for ministry and service through leadership as local pastors.
Licensing School 2023
The 2023 session of Licensing School will be May 1st through June 7th held by zoom classes, independent readings, learning modules, group projects, weekly writing assignments, a preaching practicum, and other activities.
Licensing School’s primary purpose is to prepare participants as fully as possible in an 80hr program for appointment as a local pastor. While we know this means a financial sacrifice and tremendous commitment of time for people balancing families, jobs, other educational commitments, and life obligations, it is not the time or cost commitment of the 10-day in-residence program that was mandatory until 2020. While Licesing School is required in order to obtain the license to serve as a Local Pastor, we DO NOT license you! Nor does attendance mean you will be given an appointment or a license by your annual conference. We simply fulfill the disciplinary requirement as part of the licensing process.
What can I expect? Zoom class meetings will be Mondays and Wednesdays May 1st-May 30th from 5:00 pm-7:30 pm Arizona time and consist of learning sessions, lectures, practicums, presentations, and class discussions. Each week participants will also be required to read, watch videos, and complete homework including reflection papers and quizzes, and group assignments. This program provides 80 hours of education in United Methodist Tradition, Public Worship and Liturgy, Preaching, Leadership/Administration, Spiritual Formation, Educational Ministries, Pastoral Care, Mission and Evangelism, and Conference-specific education. Students must receive a passing grade in order to receive credit for this program. We cover what we think participants will need to know in order to begin their ministry as licensed local pastors. Please remember this program is the equivalent of a 10 day 80 hr. residential program, it is A LOT of work, plan accordingly. Participants may spend as many as 20 hrs a week on learning modules and assignments, talk to your employers, families, friends, District Superintendents, and co-workers now to start planning for this time.
If you have questions about the program please contact Beth Rambikur at brambikur@gmail.com
Costs
Registration, Enrollment, and Tuition Registration is an online form you may fill out now under registration, however, to enroll you must complete both the registration form and the enrollment form which includes a non-refundable $10 which needs to be mailed at the same time you enroll for our program by April 20th. Tuition is $990, which must be received by May 15th. Please check with your DS, local pastor registrar, District Committee on Ministry, Board of Ordained Ministry, conference director of leadership development, and/or conference foundation as scholarship money is often available to cover some or all of this cost.
Books and supplies you will need access to the following books
- The 2016 Book of Discipline Click Here For Access
- United Methodist Book of Worship
- This Holy Mystery Click Here For Free PDF
- By Water and The Spirit Click Here For Free PDF
- Living Our Beliefs by Kenneth Carder, 2009 edition
- Worship with United Methodists revised edition by Hoyt L. Hickman
- Quick and Easy Guide to United Methodist Polity by Anne Burkholder
- The United Methodist Clergy Book of Firsts by F. Belton Joyner Jr.
- A scholarly study Bible such as The NRSV Harper Collins Study Bible or NRSV New Interpreters Study Bible.
If you have questions about the program please contact Beth Rambikur at brambikur@gmail.com
Registration and Deadlines
The 2023 registration is live now! Remember there are two parts, the online registration and the mail-in Enrollment form that needs to include your $10. We do have a participation limit so register early to ensure you reserve your spot! We must have six registered participants by March 15th in order to offer this program. You can register before you have an appointment or have become a certified candidate for ministry if you have the permission of your District Superintendent. Enrollment will close on April 20th.