Board of Ordained Ministry

Your BOM Forms:

Pastoral Leave:
- Long Term Leave Request: https://www.dakotasumc.org/resources/forms/3010
- Short Term Leave Request: https://www.dakotasumc.org/resources/forms/2996
  The Short-term Renewal Leave (Continuing Education and Spiritual Growth Leave BOD 350.2) is for clergy who are members in full connection of the Dakotas Annual Conference (Deacons, Elders, or Associate Members) and Local Pastors. Clergy are eligible to take a renewal leave to seek rest and renewal, educational opportunities, and/or spiritual growth of four weeks every four years. The time away is in addition to vacation time. There is no formal application. The pastor discusses the leave intention with the SPRC and/or Leadership Team. The pastor contacts the district superintendent to share and ensure support for the short-term renewal plan. The local church continues providing compensation and benefits during the pastor’s leave. The application is the same as for Pastoral Coverage Grant requests.
- Pastoral Coverage Grant Request: https://www.dakotasumc.org/resources/forms/2996
- New Parent Leave Request: https://www.dakotasumc.org/resources/forms/3006
Continuing Education:

Continuing Education Request: https://www.dakotasumc.org/resources/forms/3008

--> Please also check out our Clergy Development and Clergy Total Well-Being webpages for further resources.

DAKOTAS LICENSING SCHOOL INFORMATION 2024:

Registration opens April 15
Syllabi due May 1
Online coursework goes live May 14
Registration closes May 23
In-person classes Jun 23-27
Location: Living Waters Retreat Center at LPC

Please contact the dean Eric Van Meter for any questions.

Candidate Forums 2023

Rev. Sara McManus, the registrar for the Dakotas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, is the host of a forum for candidates for ministry. A new date has not been set as we are in the middle of candidate interviews for Annual Conference 2024.

If you are unsure of all the steps and what is next on your journey as a candidate for ministry or you know someone who might be a great candidate for ministry but you are not quite sure of all of the information they may need, please let the BOM registrar know: Rev. Sara McManus.

Current candidates can get all of the details for everything that needs to be submitted by September 1 by reading through the information below . Any questions, please use the link above to contact the BOM registrar.

GHBEM E-Resources for COVID response

GBHEM launched a page on their website that has a number of resources in response to the COVID pandemic. It's a helpful place for candidates, clergy, and local pastors who are seeking additional information:
https://www.gbhem.org/e-resources/.

Board of Ordained Ministry Information and Guidelines

The Board of Ordained Ministry is responsible for supporting persons who respond to God's call to professional ministry as an elder, deacon, licensed local pastor, or other certified and licensed ministry options.

For the deacons and elder path:
- Candidacy Guide (updated November 2023)
  - Please contact the BOM registrar Sara McManus with any questions you might have.
  - Please note that the psychological assessment track has changed to be managed by the Conference Office and not through UMCARES as of Feb.28, 2021. For any questions, please contact Bea Stucke.
- Before coming for provisional membership, you must complete your educational requirements within 4 months after your expected date of commissioning. For example, if you will complete your final class in September 2020, you may submit your paperwork by September 1, 2019 to be potentially commissioned at Annual Conference 2020.
  - Application Requirements for Commissioning as Deacon/ Elder (Provisional Membership)
  - Application Requirements for Ordination as Deacon/ Elder (Full Membership)
For the local licensed pastor and associate member path:
- Candidacy Guide (updated November 2023)
  Please contact the BOM registrar Sara McManus with any questions you might have.
- Application Requirements for Associate Membership
Additional requirement resources: