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UBIC Title

Pastoral Ministry

Thomas M. Brodbeck
Chairperson, Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team

The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team (PMLT) focuses on all issues relating to ministers in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA. Specifically, our areas of responsibility include licensing and ordination, discipline and restoration, recruitment and professional development, as well as working with denominational leadership to develop policies and procedures for all areas related to the ministry.

The team reviewed and revised the sections of the former Discipline to reflect the changes in the denominational structure. This new document, called the Pastoral Ministries Handbook, contains all policies and procedures for our ministers, and is a vital resource for anyone currently in the ministerial licensing process. It can be found by going to this address:

www.ub.org/ministers

The paragraphs that follow will detail some of the key issues that this team has addressed over the last two years.

Ministerial Correspondence Program

We have attempted to clarify the licensing process that has been known as the ministerial correspondence program. Even though the UB church has had no such licensing option for a number of years, we continue to be asked about that option. We need to stress strongly that our first preference is for our ministers to pursue educational options that give them solid theological and practical training. We want our ministers-in-training to have accredited Master's degrees from one of our recommended institutions.

We recognize, however, that this is not always possible. Therefore, we use as our standard for evaluation the educational requirements of the Diploma of Pastoral Leadership (as offered through the Graduate School of Christian Ministries). Any work done by a minister-in-training through whatever source is evaluated against that standard. Coursework done through correspondence, online, or through any other option must meet the minimum requirements of the Diploma of Pastoral Leadership.

Licensing and Ordination Examinations and Reporting

The change to a National Conference structure (meeting every two years) has resulted in a change in the timeline for ministerial examinations and for the annual reporting required of ministers-in-training. The emphasis is no longer on the time and date of the National Conference, but now is based on when the candidate has met the requirements for the next level of licensing.

For example, a local church licensee is required to hold that license for 12 months before applying for a National Conference license. If that requirement is met in October 2007, the candidate may apply and be granted the National Conference license at that time. Under the former system, the candidate would need to wait until the National Conference in 2009. The National Conference no longer grants licenses. That responsibility was transferred to the PMLT in 2005.

All ministers-in-training are required to submit an annual report to the PMLT. This report is due in January of each year (at the same time the annual reports for all ministers and churches are due). This report should detail all progress made toward the next level of licensing and should outline the candidate's plan for finishing the licensing process. Those reports should be submitted to the chairman of the PMLT.

When a local church grants a local church license, it is vital that the senior pastor communicate this action to the Bishop and PMLT. We need to know the date of the license and detailed contact information so the candidate receives the appropriate mailings and information. Copies of the candidate's written answers to the questions of the local conference examination and the letters of reference would be appreciated so that we can see the degree of growth in the candidate as he/she moves toward the next level of licensing.

Please note that many of the licensing questions have been reworded, particularly to eliminate the possibility of a "yes/no" answer. Licensing questions for ordination have been significantly revised and require extensive time and energy to complete. Candidates are responsible for making sure they answer the correct questions and address the questions fully and completely.

Summary of Licensing Actions

One of the biggest challenges for the PMLT has been the consolidation of the records of ministers-in-training. The degree of accurate record-keeping across the conferences has been varied, as has been the timeliness of transfer of files. We recognize this has been a frustration for ministerial candidates (as it has been for us), but we trust that we now have a complete and up-to-date listing of those candidates who are pursuing licensing in our denomination.

Actions were taken on the following licenses:

  • Brooks, Richard (Lake Odessa, Mich.): His license not renewed.
  • Browning, Fred (Lenore, Id.): His license was converted to a Specialized Ministries license.
  • Beukema, John Henry (Chambersburg, Pa.) completed the remaining requirements for transfer of his ordination from Calvary Baptist church (Binghamton, N.Y.). His prior ordination was recognized December 1, 2006.
  • Burnside, Kelly (Caro, Mich.) completed the remaining requirements (as established by the Michigan Conference MLOT) for his Specialized Ministries license, and the license was granted.
  • Hagerman, Eric (Carson City, Mich.) was granted a National Conference license in October 2006.

All of the names listed below should have submitted a written report (described above) to the PMLT in January of this year. If not, that report is still expected and can be submitted to the PMLT chairman at the address below. If any of the information below is inaccurate, please contact the chairman as well.

Thomas M. Brodbeck, Chairman
Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team
1649 Winding Trail
Springfield, OH 45503
(937) 390-6338

Licenses Granted in 2006

The following National Conference licenses were granted in 2006 and will expire on December 31, 2010. Annual reporting is required.

  • Hagerman, Eric (Carson City, Mich.)
  • Pickett, Norm (address not on file)

Licenses Granted in 2005

The following National Conference licenses were granted in 2005 and will expire on December 31, 2009. Annual reporting is required.

  • Beaver, Howard (Chambersburg, Pa.)
  • Bosworth, Darrel (Woodland, Mich.)
  • Collins, Victor (Woodland, Mich.)
  • Good, Josh (Byron Center, Mich.)
  • Haines, Kent (Cochranton, Pa.)
  • Hall, John (Chambersburg, Pa.)
  • Herrold, Jr., Milton (Orrstown, Pa.)
  • Matthews, Howard (Hudsonville, Mich.)
  • Loewe, Ann (Welda, Kansas)
  • Page, Arthur (Chambersburg, Pa.)
  • Riddle, Brad (Franklin, Pa.)
  • Scroggs, Tim (Columbia City, Ind.)
  • Suman, Samuel (Fostoria, Ohio)

Licenses Granted in 2004

The following National Conference licenses were granted in 2004 and will expire on December 31, 2008. Annual reporting is required.

  • Atherton, Roy (Portland, Mich.)
  • Cole, John (Traverse City, Mich.)
  • Gift, Kevin (Constania, N.Y.)
  • Leraaen, David (address not on file)
  • Stephenson, Marc (Wellsville, Pa.)
  • Stine, Michael (Shippensburg, Pa.)

Licenses Granted in 2003

The following National Conference licenses were granted in 2003 and will expire on December 31, 2007. Annual reporting is required.

  • Gifford, James (Lumberport, W. Va.)
  • Flamer, William (Philadelphia, Pa.)
  • Voight, Greg (Lancaster, Ohio)
  • Willard, Josh (Fowlerville, Mich.)

Licenses Granted in 2003

The following National Conference licenses were originally granted in 2002 and were set to expire on December 31, 2006. The licenses were renewed by action of the PMLT for one additional year. They will expire on December 31, 2007.

  • Antoine, Edner (Philadelphia, Pa.)
  • Hodgson, Calhoun (Fowlerville, Mich.)
  • Spear, Roxton (Caro, Mich.)
  • Stone, Louis (Carson City, Mich.)
  • Valenzuela, Volfi (Columbus, Ohio)
  • Vander Laan, Larry (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

Licenses Granted in 2001

The following National Conference licenses were originally granted in 2001. They were renewed appropriately by their respective annual conferences and were set to expire on December 31, 2006. The licenses were renewed by action of the PMLT for one additional year. They will expire on December 31, 2007.

  • Albert, Roland (Huber Heights, Ohio)
  • Atkins, Andrew (Spencerville, Ohio)
  • Pryor, G. James (Chambersburg, Pa.)

Licenses Granted in 2000

The following National Conference licenses were originally granted in 2000. They were renewed appropriately by their respective annual conferences and were set to expire on December 31, 2006. The licenses were renewed by action of the PMLT for one additional year. They will expire on December 31, 2007.

  • Evans, Jeff (Kokomo, Ind.)
  • Moore, Chris (Roanoke, Ind.)

Licenses Granted in 1999

The following National Conference licenses were originally granted in 1999. They were renewed appropriately by their respective annual conferences and were set to expire on December 31, 2006. The licenses were renewed by action of the PMLT for one additional year. They will expire on December 31, 2007.

  • Bentz, Daniel (Mason, Mich.)
  • Self, Eric (Junction City, Ohio)

Licenses Granted in 1998

The following National Conference licenses were originally granted in 1998. They were renewed appropriately by their respective annual conferences and were set to expire on December 31, 2006. The licenses were renewed by action of the PMLT for one additional year. They will expire on December 31, 2007.

  • Dennis, Mike (Tecumseh, Mich.)
  • Stover, Scott (Delaware, Ohio)

License Granted in 1996

The following National Conference license was originally granted in 1996. It was renewed appropriately by the annual conference and was set to expire on December 31, 2006. The license was renewed by action of the PMLT for one additional year. It will expire on December 31, 2007.

  • Burk, Wes (Destin, Fla.)

License Granted in 1992

The following National Conference license was originally granted in 1992. It was renewed appropriately by the annual conference and was set to expire on December 31, 2006. The license was renewed by action of the PMLT for one additional year. It will expire on December 31, 2007.

  • Smith, Stephen (Camden, Mich.)

License Granted in 1990

The following National Conference license was originally granted in 1990. It was renewed appropriately by the annual conference and was set to expire on December 31, 2006. The license was renewed by action of the PMLT for one additional year. It will expire on December 31, 2007.

  • Norris, S. (Jackson, Mich.)

Licenses Granted, Date Uncertain

We are not certain what year the following National Conference licenses were originally granted. In some cases, we have conflicting information; in others, we have not been able to find any information. These licenses were apparently renewed appropriately by the respective annual conferences and were set to expire on December 31, 2006. Each license was renewed by action of the PMLT for one additional year. They will expire on December 31, 2007.

  • Blue, Bill (Fowlerville, Mich.)
  • Bennett, Tony (Baltimore, Md.)
  • Causey, Chuck (Port Orange, Fla.)
  • Eack, Donald (Menominee, Mich.)
  • Fitz, Jim (Fountain Hills, Ariz.)
  • Green, Jasper (Hialeah, Fla.)
  • Hardaway, Scott (Jackson, Mich.)
  • Longfellow, Michael (Chanute, Kansas)
  • Matthews, Robert (Phoenix, Ariz.)
  • McIntosh, Ian (Vancouver, Wash.)
  • Moore, Corey (Phoenix, Ariz.)
  • Reiber, Gary (Ft. Wayne, Ind.)
  • Schrock, Douglas (Bryan, Ohio)
  • Spear, Jeremy (Caro, Mich.)
  • Taylor, Gary (Lake Odessa, Mich.)
  • Thomas, Hazel (Grant City, Mo.)
  • Wooster, David (Phoenix, Ariz.)

Local Church Licenses

For informational purposes only, the following is the list of local church ministers known to the PMLT. Local churches are reminded that these licenses must be renewed annually.

  • Anderson, Mark (Mason, Mich.)
  • Baimba, Fofi (Burlington, N.J.)
  • Baimba, Massah (Burlington, N.J.):
  • Bennett, Steven Anthony (Baltimore, Md.)
  • Bernard, Michael (Oakland, Md.)
  • Bomatay, Rubenia (Jamaica Plain, Mass.)
  • Bordeaux, Tim (Fowlerville, Mich.)
  • Borgman, Andy (Ft. Wayne, Ind.)
  • Brown, Roan (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
  • Burtnett, Michael (Hillsdale, Mich.)
  • Caldwell, Thomas (Walbridge, Ohio)
  • Conley, Chester (address not on file)
  • Dice, Jeff (Clare, Mich.)
  • Frazier, Ken (Rockbridge, Ohio)
  • Fuller, Warwick (Harrisburg, Pa.)
  • Gladhill, Ben (Hillsdale, Mich.)
  • Goss, Russ (Rockbridge, Ohio)
  • Grady, Glen (Fowlerville, Mich.)
  • Hamilton, Todd (Jackson, Mich.)
  • Henry, Steve (address not on file)
  • Herb, Donald (Carlisle, Pa.)
  • Himebaugh, Ken (Grand Ledge, Mich.)
  • Hoffaditz, Teresa (Chambersburg, Pa.)
  • Houck, Wilmer (Sterling, Ill.)
  • Layne, Rocky (Bremen, Ohio)
  • Lee, Trevor (Ft. Wayne, Ind.)
  • Long, Elmer (St. Marys, Ohio)
  • Masem, Don (New Carlisle, Ohio)
  • Moreno, Amy (Carlisle, Pa.)
  • Myers, Betsy (Caledonia, Mich.)
  • Peters, Kurt (Breckenridge, Mich.)
  • Pittenger, Robert (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.)
  • Reams, G. Lee (Keyser, W. Va.)
  • Sandman, Doug (South Mountain, W. Va.)
  • Scott, Jasmin (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
  • Sheets, Jason (Rockbridge, Ohio)
  • Slagle, Mike (Kunkle, Ohio)
  • Smothers, Tim (Battle Creek, Mich.)
  • Weber, Dennis (address not on file)
  • Weller, Bobbie (address not on file)
  • Wilder, Mike (address not on file)
  • Williamson, Ken (address not on file)
  • Wills, Adam (Pomeroy, Ohio)
  • Wilt, Marty (Oakland, Md.)
  • Wood, Ben (Perrysburg, Ohio)
  • Woods, Marshall (Reedsville, W. Va.)