Welcome! If God is calling you to become a pastor, but you do not discern seminary as the best path for you, you may want to consider becoming a local pastor.
A local pastor most often answers God’s call to serve the mission of Jesus Christ by serving a local congregation. They are not ordained or elected to full membership of the annual conference, nor are they required to itinerate. Additionally, a local pastor’s authority is only within their specific appointment setting.
Local pastors serve under the authority of a license for pastoral ministry after completing the steps outlined in ¶315 of The Book of Discipline (2016) and meeting any annual conference requirements. When appointed, a local pastor performs the usual duties of a pastor in their appointment setting, including (but not limited to):
The following links and forms are provided to support the work of the District Committee on Ministry (dCOM) and candidates in navigating the process of certification:
Please send completed candidacy and license renewal paperwork to Board of Ordained Ministry Administrator Stephanie Franklin at candidates@pnwumc.org and/or Local Pastor Registrar Sheila Marie at weareonesong@gmail.com.
Please send Licensing School Registration and scholarship applications to your District Superintendent and Local Pastor Registrar for signature (in that order). Once licensed, Local Pastors must connect with their dCOM annually to renew their license.
Please send Course of Study registration and scholarship applications to your District Superintendent and Local Pastor Registrar for signature (in that order).
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