Information and Guidelines - Board of Ordained Ministry

The Board of Ordained Ministry is responsible for supporting persons who respond to God's call to professional ministry as an elder, deacon, licensed local pastor, or other certified and licensed ministry options.

• For the deacons and elder path:

  • Candidacy Guide
    • Please contact the BOM registrar Sara McManus with any questions you might have.
    • Please note that the psychological assessment track has changed to be managed by the Conference Office and not through UMCARES as of Feb.28, 2021. For any questions, please contact Bea Stucke. 
  • Before coming for provisional membership, you must complete your educational requirements within 4 months after your expected date of commissioning. For example, if you will complete your final class in September 2026, you may submit your paperwork by September 1, 2025 to be potentially commissioned at Annual Conference 2026. 
    • Application requirements for Commissioning as Deacon/ Elder (Provisional Membership) 
    • Application requirements for Ordination as Deacon/ Elder (Full Membership)

• For the local licensed pastor and associate member path:  

  • Candidacy Guide
    Please contact the BOM registrar Sara McManus with any questions you might have.
  • Application requirements for Associate Membership

• Additional requirement resources:

  • Making Disciples Project
  • Sermon Uploading Instructions
  • Background Check Forms
  • Registrar Instruction Video