Continuing Education & Formation

A call to lifelong learning

“Throughout their careers, clergy shall engage in continuing education for ministry, professional development, and spiritual formation and growth.” — Book of Discipline, ¶350.1

As clergy, your vocation is rooted in continual growth - spiritually, intellectually, and professionally. The Susquehanna Conference understands continuing education not as a requirement to check off, but as an essential practice for faithful, effective, and sustainable ministry. Grounded in the Wesleyan emphasis on lifelong formation, continuing education supports clergy as they deepen their relationship with God, strengthen leadership capacity, and respond to the evolving needs of the church and world.

The Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) partners with clergy, District Superintendents, congregations, and covenant communities to encourage learning that nurtures both spiritual formation and professional development throughout a pastor’s career.

Continuing Education Requirements

All clergy under appointment in the Susquehanna Conference - including elders, deacons, provisional members, local pastors, and commissioned clergy - are expected to engage in continuing education unless they are currently enrolled in seminary, Course of Study, or another approved degree program.

  • CEU Expectations
      • Full-Time Clergy: 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) per quadrennium
      • Less-than-Full-Time Clergy: 5 CEUs per quadrennium
  • What is a CEU?
    • 1 CEU = 10 contact hours of learning
    • Contact hours include instructional time such as lectures, workshops, facilitated discussions, or guide study
    • Meals, breaks, travel time, and recreational activities do not count toward contact hours

CEUs may be earned in whole or partial units, depending on the length of the learning experience.

What Counts as Continuing Education?

Continuing education experiences should be intentional, relevant, and formative for ministry. Appropriate activities may include:

  • Conferences, seminars, and workshops
  • Clergy retreats with a clear learning or formation focus
  • Degrees or certificate programs beyond required educational credentials
  • Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
  • Supervised ministry training or cohort-based learning
  • Online or hybrid learning opportunities with qualified leadership

In addition to professional skill-building, clergy are encouraged to pursue opportunities that foster spiritual renewal, self-awareness, resilience, and vocational clarity.

A limited portion of continuing education may be self-directed, such as:

  • Structured reading with reflection or written integration
  • Distance learning or guided online coursework
  • Personal study projects related to ministry practice

Self-directed learning should be planned intentionally and be able to demonstrate clear benefit to the clergyperson’s ministry and formation.

Requesting CEUs for Non-Conference Events

If you participate in an event not sponsored by the Susquehanna Conference, and one that does not give CEUs from another institution, you may submit a request to the Board of Ordained Ministry for CEU credit.

Requests  should include:

  • Your name and clergy status (elder, deacon, local pastor, etc.)
  • Event name date(s), and location
  • Sponsoring organization and leadership
  • Number of contact hours completed
  • A brief description of the event’s content and your learning based on relevance to your ministry.

If approved, a CEU certificate will be sent accordingly.

Funding for Continuing Education

The Susquehanna Conference is committed to supporting clergy participation in continuing education.

Available Funding:

  • Up to $2,500 per pastor per quadrennium for continuing education
  • $5,000 per district per quadrennium for Ministerial Education Program (MEP) continuing education events
  • Up to $5,000 lifetime maximum for education beyond a Master’s degree (with 5+ years of service)

Accountability and Reporting

Clergy are responsible for:

  • Maintaining records of completed continuing education activities
  • Collaborating with the District Superintendent and S/PPRC in planning learning goals
  • Reporting continuing education participation as requested by the Conference

Continuing Ed Resources
- Upcoming Continuing Ed Opportunities
- Continuing Formation Manual
- CEU Request Application
- Continuing Formation Funding Application

John Mackey
Secretary, Board of Ordained Ministry