Susquehanna Conference Board of Ordained Ministry

According to The United Methodist Book of Discipline, ¶635.2, the Board of Ordained Ministry is responsible for:

  • To assume the primary responsibility for the enlistment and recruitment of ministerial leadership for our churches and other ministerial settings;
  • To renew a culture of the call in the church;
  • To guide candidates  and examine applicants for ordained ministry and make recommendations to the Clergy Session;
  • To support all those in ministerial leadership with opportunities for ongoing education and spiritual formation;
  • To provide means for evaluating the effectiveness of ministerial leaders and to interpret the high ethical standards for ordained ministry set forth in the Discipline;
  • To work with the cabinet with regard to requests for changes in conference relationship, through retirement, transfer, medical leave, etc.

It is our hope and prayer that this website serves as a resource for:

  • Persons exploring a call to ministry;
  • Those working toward Ordination or Licensed Ministries;
  • District Committees on Ordained Ministry;
  • Clergy serving as mentors, seeking continuing formation, and changing conference relationship

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Matthew 4:19

Work/Division of the Board

  • Develop and promote a culture of calling with those exploring ministry and in local churches
  • Supports those exploring calling to lay and ordained ministry leadership
  • Meets with students in seminary
  • Manages scholarships and ministry internships
  • Gives guidance for those seeking to be Certified Lay Ministries beyond a local church
  • Oversees Certified Lay Ministry certification candidacy and certification
  • Oversees the process for beginning candidates through certified candidates for ministry
  • Oversees the application for those seeking commissioning or ordination as Deacons or Elders
  • Provides educational opportunities for those in the candidacy process
  • Provides a Guidebooks for candidates seeking ordination and their mentors
  • Trains candidacy and clergy mentors

Licensed Local Pastors/Course of Study

  • Works with certified candidates for licensing and already licensed local pastors
  • Holds annual Licensing School for Local Pastors in conjunction with the Certified Lay Ministers School
  • Tracking and Resourcing for local pastors in Course of Study
  •  See Course of Study and Licensing School Links on the side menu

 

  • Sets guidelines and standards for continuing education for clergy, formation in servant leadership and continuing spiritual growth in Christ
  • Administer Ministerial Education Fund monies and other funding sources for continuing formation
  • Approve Continuing Education Units for Clergy

Clergy Status

Conference Relations Committee

  • Cares for changes in clergy status
  • Receives requests for retirement, leave of absence, sabbaticals and other changes
  • Over-sees transfers, voluntary exits from ministry & readmission to ministry
  • Works with Bishops and Cabinet as prescribed in the Book of Discipline

BoOM Calendar


Board of Ordained Ministry

2023/2024 Dates:

God’s Call Events 

August 5, 2023 9 am - 1 pm (Linglestown Life Church)

 

Candidate Dates

January 10, 2024 Paperwork Submission Deadline
February 10 and February 24, 2024 Ordination On-site Interviews
March 4 and March 5, 2024 Commissioning & In Process Interviews

 

Theology Study Day for those preparing for Commissioning will be Tuesday, July 18 at 11:00 am. This will be a hybrid offering (Zoom or onsite) with in-person gathering at Carlisle UMC at 333 S Spring Garden Street, Carlisle. Bring a bag lunch. RSVP by July 14 to Suzanne Elliott - selliott@susumc.org

 

Future planning for Candidates & Provisional Members

Fall Retreat Days 3rd Sunday & Monday of September (September 17 & 18, 2023)

 

2024 Local Pastor & CLM Licensing School

February 9 - 11, 2024 Wesley Forest Camp & Retreat Center
March 15 - 17, 2024
April 12 - 14, 2024

 

Board Meeting Dates

October 19, 2023 9 am - 12 pm (Fall Online Meeting)
February 10 and February 24, 2024 Ordination On-site Interviews
February 21, 2024 9 am - 12 pm (Interview Prep Day)
March 4 and March 5, 2024 Commissioning & In Process Interviews
March 20, 2024 9 am - 12 pm (Spring Meeting)