Endorsement certifies that a person is credentialed as clergy by The United Methodist Church and is authorized to perform the religious ministries required in the endorsed setting. Endorsement recognizes the presence of the gifts of character and ability required in the setting, including the ability to acquire the professional training and certification necessary in the endorsee’s field of expertise. Endorsement is the authority granted by the denomination to be appointed to and provide ministry in a specific setting.

The United Methodist Endorsing Agency currently has over 1,700 clergy endorsed or approved to provide pastoral care in settings beyond the local church.

Endorsement is for clergy (i.e., full or provisional deacons, full or provisional elders, associate members, local pastors) of the church appointed to extend the ministry of the church into specialized settings.

Endorsement for professional lay chaplains and counselors is not currently authorized.

United Methodist Clergy may be endorsed for the following settings:

Children’s home chaplain
CPE educator
Healthcare chaplain
Life coach
Military chaplain (active and reserve)
Police / Fire chaplain
Prison/corrections chaplain
Retirement community chaplain
Spiritual director
Therapeutic counselor
Workplace chaplain
Other specialized ministries of pastoral care

Yes. Pastors interested in serving in the military Reserve should discuss their interest with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee and District Superintendent before pursuing endorsement. Service in the Reserve imposes burdens on the congregation and wider church and requires that everyone be on board. See our guides for Reserve Component Chaplains and Church Leaders for more detailed information.

See Relationships, Resources and Responsibilities for a detailed discussion of conference relationships.

Endorsement and appointment work in tandem.

If you are no longer appointed to the setting for which you have been endorsed, your endorsement becomes inactive. If, for example, you go on a leave of absence or receive an appointment only to a parish setting, there is a break in your endorsement. You must report these changes to UMEA. To return to an endorsed setting, speak to UMEA about reactivating your endorsement.

Retirees may retain their endorsement in a retired status if their bishop is willing to appoint them to the endorsed setting. Upon their retirement from the annual conference, endorsed clergy with a distinguished history of service may be granted emeritus status, allowing them to maintain their board certifications and accept short-term temporary employment, for which episcopal appointment is not appropriate.

If you voluntarily or involuntarily lose your clergy credentials in The United Methodist Church, your endorsement is terminated.

Changing your endorsed setting requires UMEA approval. Each situation is unique. Should you wish to change settings, we will review your request. Approval is not automatic and may be conditional. Speak to UMEA about what would be required to add an additional setting to your endorsement record.

Endorsement may be withdrawn for cause in coordination with the endorsee’s bishop, in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the GBHEM Board of Directors.

UMEA does not withdraw military endorsements for the convenience of the endorsee to avoid deployments, reassignments or other lawful military orders. Endorsees wishing to leave military service should follow standard service procedures for release from active duty, unqualified resignation or retirement.

No. Clergy within the United Methodist connection may only be endorsed by UMEA. To accept endorsement from another endorsing agency may endanger your clergy standing in The United Methodist Church.

If you are endorsed by another endorsing agency and want to be endorsed by The United Methodist Church, the first step is to achieve clergy status within the UMC. Speak to the local United Methodist district superintendent to discuss the possibility of receiving you into the annual conference as a member of the clergy. Each situation is unique, and the path will vary from person to person. Additional classes in United Methodist studies are almost always required, along with other administrative requirements outlined in The Book of Discipline. Clergy transferring into the United Methodist connection and currently endorsed in good standing with another endorsing agency may be received into UMEA’s endorsement when the transfer is complete.

If you are endorsed by UMEA and wish to transfer your endorsement to another endorsing agency, understand that you will be severing your clergy relationship with The United Methodist Church. For those transferring out, UMEA will coordinate with the gaining endorser to provide, whenever possible, a seamless transition to the new endorsement.

The Chaplains Supplemental Pension Grant Fund was established by the General Conference of The United Methodist Church to provide retirement benefits for clergy who served as chaplains, pastoral counselors or in specialized ministries in which they do not qualify for pensions or other denominational benefits.

Qualifying clergy must have been granted ecclesiastical endorsement by the United Methodist Endorsing Agency of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and have been appointed by their bishops to the endorsed setting. The fund is administered by both the United Methodist Endorsing Agency and the Wespath. The application is available here.