District Committee on Ministry

The District Committee on Ordained Ministry, along with the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and the district superintendent, are responsible for preparing candidates for licensed and ordained ministry, as a deacon or elder or for service as a local pastor.  And they shall guide these persons in the process of education, training, and commissioning to specialized ministry or service as a local pastor.  The committee will encourage persons to enter the candidacy program, and shall maintain a list of all candidates under its care. 

Approved Seminaries

Those who plan to attend seminary need to be aware that not all graduate seminaries are approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church.  For a list of seminaries that are approved, click here.  For a list of schools being removed from the University Senate list in June 2007, or conditionally included, click here.

Are you a Candidate or Mentor and in need of forms?

Candidate Biographical Information Form 102    

Mentor's Annual Report Form                  

Word     PDF  

Steps into Ordained Ministry Checklist

Word     PDF

Certified Lay Minister

In order to enhance the quality of ministry to small membership churches, expand team ministry in churches and in deference to an expression of gifts and evidence of God's grace associated with the lay ministry of early Methodism, the certified lay minister is to be recognized and utilized.

(taken from The 2008 Book of Discipline)

Find out more about certified lay ministry... 

Upcoming Training Dates

Four modules offered at four sites Jan. 22-23

The conference Board of Ordained Ministry will be offering certified lay ministry training Jan. 22-23 at four sites across the conference. Each site will offer a specific module of training.

Module 1 at Jerseyville UMC: Call and Covenant for Ministry: Understanding of theology and call for ministry, exploring spiritual gifts, and developing a ministry covenant.

Module 2 at Galesburg First UMC: The Practice of Ministry: Leading Worship, Preaching/Sharing Faith, Discipleship Ministries, and Caring for a Congregation.

Module 3 at Mahomet UMC (Saturday only): Organization of Ministry: Focus on the leader's task of organizing a congregation for mission and ministry. It provides specific guidance on topics central to a congregation's health.

Module 4 at Mt. Vernon First UMC: Connection for Ministry: United Methodist theology, practice, and polity are explained with the roles of the local congregation district, conference, and general church.

Modules 1, 2 and 4 will meet Jan. 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm and Jan. 23 from 9 am to 5 pm. Module 3 will only meet on Jan. 23. Registration is $40 per person which includes most materials, meals and snacks. Online registration is available by visiting the website. Registration deadline is Sunday, Jan. 10.

Participants can take modules in any order and can participate in as many as they wish in a calendar year.

Modules for Certified Lay Minister Training

To download the training material click on the module name.  The documents are pdf files. 

Module 1: Call and Covenant                                                                 Module 2: Practice of Ministry

Module 3: Organization for Ministry                                                      Module 4: Connection for Ministry