GBHEM’s Division of Ordained Ministry provides specialized theological education programs that train pastors who serve The United Methodist Church in specific environments and Laity who are leaders in their congregations. These programs are designed to help foster diversity within the church and to equip pastors and laity to best serve the communities around them.
Training Opportunities for Ethnic Pastors
National Spanish Licensing School
Conducted in Spanish, this training is designed for people who have completed candidacy and wish to pursue further certification. This is 80 hour will equip candidates for ministry and activate their call to serve the community that God has given them.
Escuela de Curso de Estudios (ECE)/ Course of Study (COS)
Three training centers are available to Hispanic and Latino pastors in the United States:
- Garrett Seminary in Evanston, Illinois,
- Perkins School of Theology in Dallas and
- the GBHEM COS Online Program.
Through these sites, resources are concentrated to prepare, equip and form clergy to work with a diverse community. Both schools offer English-language as well as Spanish-language licensing schools. Portuguese and Hmong programs are available on demand.
GBHEM also provides training in Latin America for the formation of clergy. GBHEM collaborates with the General Board of Global Ministries and Seminario Wesley del San Salvador to offer the Course of Study at Ahuachapan, San Salvador.
Additionally, GBHEM works with the Iglesia Evangelica Nacional Metodista Primitiva de Guatemala, Misión de la Iglesia Metodista Unida in Honduras, Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en El Salvador, La Iglesia Metodista en Panama y La Iglesia Evangélica de Nicaragua to provide Course of Study, Advance Course of Study and Contextual Education programs for local pastors and laity.
Portuguese Course of Study (PCOS)
Portuguese-language courses are provided for our Brazilian pastors through our online training platform.
Universidad Biblica Latino Americana (UBL)
The Contextual Leadership Development program provides support for Hispanic-Latino/a pastors who wish to complete higher education and/or continue to graduate school. This is done in partnership with Universidad Biblica Latinoamericana (UBL) de Costa Rica.
Native American Course of Study (NACOS)
GBHEM offers Native American course of study through two sites: Oklahoma satellite program of Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, and the Native American Course of Study through Methodist Theological School of Ohio.
Clinical Pastor Education (CPE) in Spanish
Gain the skills and confidence to provide compassionate spiritual care in diverse communities. This Spanish-language Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program combines hands-on ministry experience with guided learning and peer support.
Participants meet weekly for approximately four months to complete one CPE unit, reflecting on real-life ministry experiences and learning alongside other pastors. The program helps strengthen pastoral care, cultural awareness, and leadership skills for ministry in a variety of settings.
Those interested in chaplaincy may continue their training by completing four CPE units, the standard preparation for chaplaincy ministry. The program is certified through the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP).
Educación Clínica Pastoral en español (CPE)
Obtenga las habilidades y confianza para proveer cuidado espiritual con compasión a diversas comunidades. Este programa de Educación Clínica pastoral (CPE) en español combina la experiencia práctica del ministerio con aprendizaje guiado y compartido por un grupo de compañeros.
Los participantes de este grupo se juntarán semanalmente por cuatro meses para completar una unidad de CPE, reflejando experiencias reales de la vida del ministerio y aprendiendo con otros estudiantes incluyendo pastores. El programa ayudara a fortalécelos en el área de cuidado pastoral, entendiendo las culturas que servimos, y aprendiendo habilidades de ministerio en diferentes situaciones.
Si estas interesado en la capellanía puede seguir en este entrenamiento hasta completar las 4 unidades, que es la recomendación estándar de la capellanía ministerial. Este programa este certificado por medio de College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP).
Contextual Leadership Formation
GBHEM offers 10 courses in the following areas for lay leadership and pastors.
- Brief History of the Methodist Movement
- Political Structure and Mission of The United Methodist Church
- Methodist Theology and Doctrine
- Liturgy and The Sacraments
- Orientation for Hispanic-Latino/a Immigrant Pastors
- Pastoral Care and Attention
- Evangelism
- Responding to the Call
- Leadership in the UMC
- Safe Sanctuary
For a consultation in Contextual Leadership Formation for Conferences and Districts, email ece@gbhem.org or the Rev. David Martinez at dmartinez@gbhem.org.
