UPDATED FOR THE 2023-24
CONFERENCE YEAR

All persons not ordained as elders who are appointed to preach and conduct divine worship and perform the duties of a pastor shall have a License for Pastoral Ministry. (¶315)

The Licensing For Pastoral Ministry Studies are a joint enterprise among the dCOM, the BOM and the Division of Ordained Ministry (DOM). The DOM prescribes the curriculum for licensing, but the operation of a licensing school is the BOM’s responsibility. The DOM offers guidelines based on competence in the skills of ministry rather than academic achievement.  The purpose is to provide the best quality of this initial preparation for ministry to individuals entering their first appointments. The school covers areas of theology, polity, administration, preaching, worship, Christian education, mission, evangelism and pastoral care to name a few. Completion of this school is a requirement for anyone seeking to be licensed as a Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church.

Most candidates’ first education about the practice of ministry comes through the licensing studies. However, they are not a substitute for seminary education or the Course of Study schools. These studies are a crash course for those who may be appointed when license studies are completed. The license permits regular appointment and should not be granted unless the faculty recommends that a candidate is fit and has the beginning competencies to be a pastor in charge. Further, granting the license is only the initial stage in ministry. The 80 hours required for completion of studies for licensing does not give adequate preparation for church work. A candidate who is granted a license must continue in education for ministry either through college and seminary or through the Course of Study school. (¶319)

A certified candidate is eligible for appointment as a local pastor upon completion of License for Pastoral Ministry (¶311). 

School Leaders & Instructors

Rev. Steve Patterson
Anderson Superintendent

Rev. Terry Fleming
Florence Superintendent

Rev. Tiffany Knowlin Boykin
Wesley UMC Pastor

$25 Registration Fee

Session 1: May 6, 2024-May 10, 2024

Meeting IN-PERSON ONLY: Monday through Thursday, Friday is Virtual
In person classes will be at North Orangeburg UMC, 950 Cook Road, Orangeburg, SC 29118
Participants are responsible for making their own reservations for lodging. All meals will be on your own.

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

• Morning Devotion
  8:45 am – 9:00 am: led by Rev. Melton Arant
• Public Worship/Liturgy, Baptism & Holy Communion
  9:00 am – 5:00 pm: taught by Rev. Shawna Darnall

Thursday, May 9, 2024

• Morning Devotion
  8:45 am – 9:00 am: led by Rev. Melton Arant
• Pastoral Care & Counseling
  9:00 am – 12:00 pm: taught by Rev. Telley Gadson
• Evangelism and Mission
  2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: taught by Rev. Steve Patterson

Session 2: May 17, 2024 – May 18, 2024

VIRTUAL LEARNING SESSION with both synchronous and asynchronous learning using the ZOOM platform.
Participants must be online with the rest of the Licensing School Cohort during synchronous learning days.

Saturday, May 18, 2024

• VIRTUAL ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING DAY: Participants will complete assignments related to recorded lessons that can be viewed anytime as long as the assignments and projects contained in the video lessons are complete and turned in by May 17, 2023.
  Christian Education: Video lessons taught by Rev. Angela Marshall
  

Session 3: May 24, 2024 – May 25, 2024

VIRTUAL LEARNING SESSION with only synchronous learning using the ZOOM platform.
Participants must be online with the rest of the Licensing School Cohort during synchronous learning days.

Saturday, May 25, 2024

• VIRTUAL SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING DAY: Class will be conducted virtually using ZOOM
• Morning Devotion
  8:45 am – 9:00 am: led by Rev. Melton Arant
• Safe Sanctuary Training
  9:00 am -11:30 am: led by Rev. Katherine Haselden Crimm
• Bondaries & Ethics
  1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: led by Rev. Cathy Joens

Persons who have completed  at least one-third of their work for a Master of Divinity degree at a school of theology listed by the University Senate (¶315.2c) may be exempted from Sessions 2 & 3. The Office of Clergy Services and the Director of the Licensing School will determine if a person is eligible to exempt Sessions 1 & 2 in conjunction and consultation with your District Superintendent.  All persons expecting to be appointed for the first time must attend Session 3.

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