Board of Ordained Ministry Handbook

The Board of Ordained Ministry Handbook is designed to be a reference library for the work of boards of ordained ministry (BOMs). Each chapter looks at a specific segment of the board’s work and contains information that may be used in the orientation of board members. These chapters also may be used in the training of interview teams, mentors, district committees, district superintendents, committees on pastor/staff parish relations, and others who share personnel responsibilities with the board. Some chapters provide directions for the administration of programs through the board such as licensing schools, psychological assessment, background and credit checks.

The handbook has been revised in light of the legislative changes made at the 2004 General Conference by the staff of the Division of Ordained Ministry.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1: Board of Ordained Ministry Organization

Chapter 2: The District Committee on Ordained Ministry

Chapter 3: BOM Registrars

Chapter 4: Training for Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee

Chapter 5: Identification and Enlistment

Chapter 6: Candidacy and Candidacy Mentoring

Chapter 7: Background Checks

Chapter 8: Psychological Assessment of Candidates for Clergy Careers

Chapter 9: The Interview Process

Chapter 10: Probationary Membership Commissioned to Servant Leadership

Chapter 11: Clergy Mentoring

Chapter 12: Licensing and Course of Study

Chapter 13: License for Pastoral Ministry

Chapter 14: Elders in Extension Ministry

Chapter 15: Deacon Appointments

Chapter 16: Endorsement

Chapter 17: Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Ministry

Chapter 18: Clergywomen in Ministry

Chapter 19: Diaconal Ministry

Chapter 20: Professional Certification

Chapter 21: Changes of Conference Relationship and Procedures

Chapter 22: Continuing Education

Chapter 23: Relationship of Orders to the BOM

Chapter 24: United Methodist Clergy and Professional Ethics

Chapter 25: Systems for Clergy Support and Accountability

Chapter 26: Retirement Planning and Relationships

Chapter 27: Seminary Relations and the Ministerial Education Fund

FORMS

District Committee Action Outlines

Candidate's District File Content Checklist

Local Pastor's District File Content Checklist

District Committee on Ordained Ministry Action Report to the BOM Registrar

Action Outline #1 Candidacy Certification

Action Outline #2 Candidacy Renewal

Action Outline #3 Local Pastor Completion of Studies

Action Outline #4 Local Pastor Continuance Recommendation

Action Outline #5 Local Pastor Reinstatement

Action Outline #6 Probationary Membership Recommendation

Action Outline #7 Associate Membership Recommendation

Action Outline #8 Readmission to Conference Relationship

Action Outline #9 Other Denominations Serving in Annual Conference Bounds

Chapter 3 Forms

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION FORM

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MEDICAL REPORT OF MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY FOR ORDAINED MINISTRY CHARGE CONFERENCE RECOMMENDATION

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH APPLICATION FOR CLERGY RELATIONSHIP TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH APPLICATION FOR CHANGE IN CLERGY RELATIONSHIP TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH APPLICATION FOR READMISSION TO CLERGY RELATIONSHIP WITH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT OF CLERGY MEMBER ON LEAVE OF ABSENCE

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL RECOMMENDATION FORM FOR ORDINATION AND CONFERENCE MEMBERSHIP

COURSE OF STUDY FOR ORDAINED MINISTRY 2005-2008 CORRESPONDENCE

STUDIES IN UNITED METHODIST HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND POLITY ENROLLMENT FORM

CANDIDACY MENTOR'S REQUEST FOR THE ASSESSMENT PACKET FOR THE DOM CANDIDACY ASSESSMENT OFFICE

District Committee on Ordained Ministry Approval Report for Certified Candidate for Ordained Ministry

Candidacy Renewal