Clergy learning from each other. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

Professional development opportunities

Compass Covenant groups: Compass covenant groups are designed by clergy for clergy professional growth and accountability.  Groups are
formed by affinity such as the MCCI cohort, Journey Renewal partnership, clergy of churches with more than 500 congregants, clergy of churches with fewer than 50 congregants. If you want to join a group or have an idea for the formation of a Compass Covenant group, contact the Office of Leadership Development by e-mail or phone 605-990-7796.

Clergy Leadership Academy (CLA): Previously known as Provisional Training, this three-year  learning experience equips leaders with essential skills and practices for leading in such a time as this. The spiritual landscape is going through huge shifts, and that requires new ways of leading and reinvention of what it means to be a church. This time is calling forth bold, Spirit-led leaders who can shape and lead fearless, Spirit-led congregations into the mission field, offering Christ to all. We recognize that anyone new to ministry – for example, LLPs – will benefit from this training and are now welcome to attend. This training is still a mandatory requirement from the Board of Ordained Ministry for provisional members.

The CLA meets in 3-day sessions, twice a year—once in October and once in January/February. Community is built as peers engage in learning, covenant groups and mentoring relationships over three years.  

The CLA welcomes a new group each fall. If you are interested in joining the next group, please contact us via email. Seasoned clergy are also welcomed.

MissionInsite: Every church in the Dakotas Conference has access to MissionInsite. MissionInsite holds information such as what community members are looking for in a pastor, a small group leader, hospitality, communications, and even refreshments. To get started, contact the Director of Ministries Office by e-mail. 

Mentoring: Clergy mentors relate to persons in the first several years under appointment. In the Dakotas Conference, the Board of Ordained Ministry provides training for mentoring and assigns clergy mentors in consultation with the district superintendent.  For more information, contact the Board of Ordained Ministry Registrar by e-mail. 

Practical Church Leadership Certificate Program

The Practical Church Leadership Certificate Program is offered through Dakota Wesleyan University and begins July 2025 with an in-person gathering (July 15-17 at DWU in Mitchell, S.D.). The PCL is a year-long, graduate level certificate program that is focused on these areas:

• Financial Resource Development 
• Financial Resource Management
• Governance, Personnel, and HR Management
• Vision, Strategy, and Evaluation
• Communications and Community Outreach
• Applied Project (a year-long course supported by coaching)

View a detailed calendar.

Find additional descriptions of the PCL. Review the 2024 Impact Report to learn more about the PCL

There are three cohort gatherings (two in-person in Mitchell, SD and one likely virtual), and the rest is delivered through online learning. You will earn 21 credits through this program, of which 18 may be applied to an MBA or a graduate degree at DWU. Past cohorts have said the learning tremendously enhanced their leadership capabilities!

This unique opportunity is made possible through grants, donors, and the Board of Ordained Ministry. We are able to provide $6,500 of the $7,500 tuition cost for those accepted to the program. We ask the applicant to contribute $250 and the applicant’s church(es) to contribute $750.

Completion of a short application is required before completing the DWU application.  We want you to prayerfully consider the opportunity because we have seen the positive impact this program has had for past participants. And we want to invest in your leadership!  It is important for you to consider if this is the right season for you to participate, but if you discern it is, you will find it worth the investment.

The deadline to submit your application is May 1. You can find the application with all the details/dates/criteria. Your church’s leadership is asked to endorse and financially support your participation as part of the application process. (You will find the link to the endorsement form within the application.) Access DWU’s program description. 

More questions? Do you want to talk with a former participant and colleague about their experience? Please email Diane Owen at diane.owen@dkmnareaumc.org.

Financial Assistance for Clergy Development

Clergy gather in groups to learn together. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

The Dakotas Conference provides financial resources for incoming, new and active clergy through financial stewardship training, grants, loans and scholarships.  Here are the resources available.

Continuing education funding request form

Continuing education credit reporting form

Ministerial Student Aid Resources

Find more resources and information for financial well-being here. 

The Finance Office and the Dakotas Methodist Foundation offer workshops. Contact them by e-mail or phone 605-990-7790 for more information.

Guidelines and policies

Here are some guidelines and policies that the Dakotas Conference has in place to guide the professional practive of clergy.

Clergy effectiveness
Basic sexual misconduct policy
Social media guidelines