Ordination Options

in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ

The following options for meeting the educational requirements for ordination in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, are available to ministerial candidates:

Option #1: Master of Divinity Degree

This option is available to all candidates, regardless of age. Master of Divinity degrees must be obtained through a seminary which has been approved by the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team.

Option #2: Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry

This option is available to all candidates, regardless of age. The Huntington University Graduate School of Christian Ministries offers this degree, which is considered to be the standard for ordination in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA. Other educational institutions offer similar degrees which may also meet the ordination requirements, provided they have been approved by the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team.

Option #3: Diploma in Pastoral Leadership

This option in only available to ministerial candidates who begin the licensing process after the age of 35. The Diploma in Pastoral Leadership, offered through the Huntington University Graduate School of Christian Ministries, is not an official degree. Students are required to complete specific course work geared at preparation for pastoral ministry. Evangelical School of Theology (Myerstown, PA) offers a similar degree.

Option #4: Correspondence Program

This option in only available to ministerial candidates who begin the licensing process after the age of 35. The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team has identified a "Christian Worker Certificate" offered by Taylor University’s Institute of Extended Learning as the approved correspondence program for the denomination. This program requires 12 hours of general education requirements and an additional 18 hours of biblical and professional studies.

For additional information, contact: