Categories of UB Ministers
Local Church License
It all starts in your own church. When someone senses God’s
call to become a minister, the church can affirm and encourage
that call by granting what’s called a local church license.
It’s important that the person be serious about pursuing
a career in the ministry and show real promise. Be sincere in
your affirmation. If the person’s call is genuine, his beliefs
line up with United Brethren doctrine, and you’re confident
he can be used by God in the United Brethren pastorate--then the
church board can grant a local church license.
National Conference License
Your church can recommend that a local church
minister from your congregation be considered for a national conference
license, which makes that person eligible to serve in any of our churches across the country. Through this license, the national church gives its affirmation to the individual.
The US National Conference consists of about 200 churches scattered across the United States. Until 2005, regional "conferences" granted ministerial licenses. However, since 2005 we have phased out the conferences. Now, the licensing process is centralized through the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team.
Ordination
The requirements
for ordination (or elders orders) are:
- At least two years as a national conference minister.
- At least one year as a UB pastor or in some other role in
the denomination.
- Completion of all the education requirements, which includes
a Master of Christian Ministry or a Master of Divinity.
Getting ordained is a big deal. Typically, the Bishop performs
the ordination and the licentiate chooses two people to assist. As the licentiate
and (if married) spouse kneel on the platform, the bishop, cluster leader,
and others lay hands on the couple and pray for them, commissioning
them for service.
Specialized Ministry License
In 1993, we added the category of Specialized Minister. This applies to associate
pastors who specialize in a particular field--youth,
music, Christian education, counseling, etc.
Pastoral Ministry Handbook
The Pastoral Ministry Handbook contains chapters on each level of ministerial licensing--eligibility, requirements, responsibilities, etc. Read what the Handbook says about:
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