Study of Ministry Commission

The Study of Ministry Commission is composed of fourteen lay and clergy persons from the jurisdictions in the United States and from central conferences in Europe and Africa, and three bishops, as well as eleven staff persons from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the General Board of Discipleship, and the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. The chair is William Willimon, bishop of the Birmingham Area (Alabama, USA).

The 2004 General Conference authorized the Commission and referred to it several petitions that in its wisdom the Conference thought should receive more research and discussion than would be possible at General Conference. The expenses of meeting and of producing a report are being borne mainly by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

The Commission adopted this statement of its mission:

The Study of Ministry Commission will explore and articulate scriptural, theological, ecclesial, and practical groundings that define our distinct ministries within our common Christian relationship through baptism. The goal is to provoke a conversation within the whole church about lay, licensed, and ordained ministry in order to gain clarity about our shared life together for the sake of God’s transformational mission in the world and the vital importance and challenges of leadership today. A report will be made back to the 2008 General Conference, including necessary legislation.

Links to Study-related resources are below.

 Seven Days of Preparation: A guide for prayer and preparation in considering the ordering of ministry(121KB)

Study of Ministry Report to 2008 General Conference (525KB)

 Tom Frank's address to the Chairs of the Orders and Fellowship (308KB)

 A Critical Analysis of the Ministry Studies since 1944, Heitzenrater (1MB)

 Final Survey Findings of the STUDY OF MINISTRY COMMISSION II Draft Report (644KB)