How do you...

[God_of_Mercy]

I was just wondering how one would acuire the job of pastor at a Methodist Church. What college do u need? how long? any other details?

 

[overnight]

herev and I are great to ask about this. since he is in seminary now and preaching at the same time. The first thing I would say is go to your pastor because they will be the greatest help to you. Secound take a look at the disapline because it depends alot on your age education level ect. Third take a look at a book called "Christian as Minister" it is required reading anyway your pastor should have or can get a copy of it. Here are some basics

-Be a member of the UMC for at least 2 years with 1 year in some type of service.
-Read "Christian as Minister"
-Highschool grad
-licence school
But as to your question about education as far as I know there are one of two things (again according to age and education level)
-course of study (five year process)
-seminary (three year process)

The course of study is more for someone who is a working man and is ment for older people (I think like 35 and older but I may be wrong about age)

Seminary which can be done no matter what age is the collage way to go about it and is usally a three year progream.

Help herev you are probably much more knowledgeable about this than I as I am at the very beggining of this process (still working on 2 years membership)

 

[God_of_Mercy]

Thank you for posting

 

[God_of_Mercy]

So after high school i would go for 3 years, would i have to take the 5 year thing to?

 

[nicks17]

The three year thing is seminary. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education has a list of seminaries that they recognize and are acceptable for the candidacy program. For instance I live in TX and plan on becoming a Methodist pastor. I want to stay in TX for seminary so I have four options Perkins School of Theology at SMU, Brite Divinity School at TCU or 2 in Austin. There are several more however. To go to Seminary you need a Bachelor's degree. So the three years would come after 4 years of college. The five year thing he was referring to or so I believe is an alternative to seminary where a person can take many many courses and training programs to be qualified as a local pastor. So the "3 year thing" and the "5 year thing" are different options. Whatever option you choose you will need to be approved as a candidate by your church and your district. Candidacy is a long process. If you are seriously interested in becoming a United Methodist pastor you need to talk to your pastor or campus minister or some other ordained methodist clergy. They can give you or let you borrow a book called Christian as a Minister, which outlines the process. But above all talk to you pastor, it is not possible otherwise. I hope this helps shed some light on the subject. I myself am looking forward to being approved for Candidacy in October at my church's charge conference. Before you get started you need to be a member of a church for 2 years minimum. Good luck with everything.
God Bless,
Nick

 

[herev]

Overnight, you nailed it, as did you nicks17--nothing to add

 

[Texas Lynn]

Nicks and Overnight, thanks for the details. My Dad went to Perkins but the idea of living in Dallas for three years appalls me so if I ever answer the Call it'll be through another University. I've looked some over and am impressed with Drew in New Jersey. The President of Drew is former NJ Governor Thomas Kean who is Chairman of the 9-11 Commission. That impresses me. Others include Illif and Claremont and there's a United Methodist Theological School near Columbus, Ohio. There's several others, also.

 

[Kokopelli]

@nicks17

Thank you for the information Nicks, I was wondering about the process too. Looks like it will be easier to answer the calling I got, but ignored, back in '07.

Have a blessed day.

 

[herev]

Nicks and Overnight, thanks for the details. My Dad went to Perkins but the idea of living in Dallas for three years appalls me so if I ever answer the Call it'll be through another University. I've looked some over and am impressed with Drew in New Jersey. The President of Drew is former NJ Governor Thomas Kean who is Chairman of the 9-11 Commission. That impresses me. Others include Illif and Claremont and there's a United Methodist Theological School near Columbus, Ohio. There's several others, also.

You should also consider an AMEZion seminary (approved by UM senate)--it is the fastest growing seminary in the country, it is the most diverse seminary in the country, and the best part--it's where I go! It's called Hood Theological Seminary in Salsibury, NC. New campus has just been purchased and we should move in next summer. I love it there!!!

 

[Kokopelli]

An off question herev: what is the average tuition costs to attend a seminary?

 

[herev]

An off question herev: what is the average tuition costs to attend a seminary?

varies widely for each--For my seminary, it's currently at about 300/semester hour--90 hours required for graduation--I can't speak for other seminaries. Remember to add books and fees--last semester, my books were $527.00

 

[Kokopelli]

I was afraid of that. After the debt I have racked up in student loans (double the price for your seminary) with no success at finding a real job to start my career, I may have to wait a bit.... a long bit.

 

[herev]

I was afraid of that. After the debt I have racked up in student loans (double the price for your seminary) with no success at finding a real job to start my career, I may have to wait a bit.... a long bit.

I understand. I am using all student loans to pay for it, my wife is in a private undergrad program on student loans and she will then go to seminary when I finish. The only good news is that at our age, we should die long before we pay it off

 

[overnight]

I wanted to say again that the most important thing to do is talk with your pstor. they can get you in the program. THe book Christian as minister will be available from them and a great resorce for info. I want to say something about seminary, although it is one opition remmebr that for some people there is another which is course of study but it is ment for an older generation. I think if you really feel a call on your life that sminary and its expence should not keep you from inquiring because God will make a way. Keep the faith and keep looking toward GOd.

 

[Kokopelli]

@herev

That is a good way to look at it. I think I'll have to remember it the next time I submit the FASFA applications for '05.


@overnight

To be honest, my wife and I are still new to the Church we have been attending. I am ready to join, but my wife isn't. I found out today the reason is because she does not know what exactly the Methodist church is about. I attempted to explain it to her and provided the link for this section and the UMC website. But she did not find what exactly she was looking for. So I think I'll need to find the guidelines for being a Methodist so she can read them.

But I will definitely talk to the pastor at my church about the book you mentioned. As I mentioned previously, I felt the calling back in '97. But failed to follow it and took several wrong paths. It was not untill earlier this year that God reminded me of the calling. I thought it was to pursue the path of management, to become an influential leader promoting well being within the corporate world. But I am begining to realise more that my place is better suited within the ministries.

Thank you guys again for information. It has answered several of my questions.

God bless

 

[SandyLou]

I was afraid of that. After the debt I have racked up in student loans (double the price for your seminary) with no success at finding a real job to start my career, I may have to wait a bit.... a long bit.

If you know that it is God's plan for you, He will show you the way to achieve it. Check out Bruce Wilkinson's book "Dream Giver". Thinking negatively just puts roadblocks in God's way. You CAN do it! I'm praying for you right now to open your eyes and your mind to the possibilities - Overnight & Herev both stressed talking to your pastor. Sounds like a great place to start putting legs under your dream.

--SandyLou

 

[Kokopelli]

If you know that it is God's plan for you, He will show you the way to achieve it. Check out Bruce Wilkinson's book "Dream Giver". Thinking negatively just puts roadblocks in God's way. You CAN do it! I'm praying for you right now to open your eyes and your mind to the possibilities - Overnight & Herev both stressed talking to your pastor. Sounds like a great place to start putting legs under your dream.

--SandyLou

Thank you for words of support and prayers. Unfortunately, thinking negatively towards myself is one of my faults as a human. But knowing that it still very possible to answer God's calling since re-alligning myself on the right path is reassuring. That will be a book that I'll have to check out. Unfortunately, I have not had time to contact the pastor at my church, as I have been pretty busy. But it is funny how the Lord works. The sermons the past few Sundays have focussed around Matthew 14:28, and answering God's call.

At first I thought I had doomed myself at answering God's call. But it has been reassuring reading the posts here and hearing my Pastor remark, (slightly paraphrased) "Niether of us are perfect or free of sin. I myself have my faults and I know I am not the greatest pastor to stand here. There have been better pastors before me and there will be better pastors after me. But my time is now, and that is what is important."

God bless.