UPDATED FOR THE 2024-25
CONFERENCE YEAR
All persons not ordained as elders who are appointed to preach and conduct divine worship and perform the duties of a pastor shall have a License for Pastoral Ministry. (¶315)
The Licensing For Pastoral Ministry Studies are a joint enterprise among the dCOM, the BOM and the Division of Ordained Ministry (DOM). The DOM prescribes the curriculum for licensing, but the operation of a licensing school is the BOM’s responsibility. The DOM offers guidelines based on competence in the skills of ministry rather than academic achievement. The purpose is to provide the best quality of this initial preparation for ministry to individuals entering their first appointments. The school covers areas of theology, polity, administration, preaching, worship, Christian education, mission, evangelism and pastoral care to name a few. Completion of this school is a requirement for anyone seeking to be licensed as a Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church.
Most candidates’ first education about the practice of ministry comes through the licensing studies. However, they are not a substitute for seminary education or the Course of Study schools. These studies are a crash course for those who may be appointed when license studies are completed. The license permits regular appointment and should not be granted unless the faculty recommends that a candidate is fit and has the beginning competencies to be a pastor in charge. Further, granting the license is only the initial stage in ministry. The 80 hours required for completion of studies for licensing does not give adequate preparation for church work. A candidate who is granted a license must continue in education for ministry either through college and seminary or through the Course of Study school. (¶319)
A certified candidate is eligible for appointment as a local pastor upon completion of License for Pastoral Ministry (¶311).Â
Session 1: Monday, April 28, 2025 – May 2, 2025Â
Session 2: Friday, May 9, 2025 – May 10, 2025Â
Session 3: Friday, May 16, 2025 – May 17, 2025 Â
$50 Registration Fee
Register Now
- Required Materials that you should have available for each class:Â a Bible, a UM Hymnal and the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline.
School Leaders & Instructors
Rev. David McManus
Manning UMC Pastor
Rev. Shawna Darnall
Trinity UMC (Fountain Inn)
Pastor
Rev. Dr. Anthony Hodge
Rock Hill Superintendent
Rev. Nick Lyerly
First UMC (Marion) Pastor
Rev. Steve Patterson
Anderson Superintendent
Rev. Robert Cox
Church Administration Consultant
Rev. Angela Marshal
St John’s UMC Pastor
Rev. Rett Haselden
Conference Benefits Officer
Rev. James Friday
Conference Congregational Development Director
Rev. Terry Fleming
Florence Superintendent
Beth Westbury
Conference Treasurer
Rev. Tiffany Knowlin Boykin
Wesley UMC Pastor
Rev. Katherine Haselden Crimm
Highland Park UMC Pastor
Rev. Melton Arant
Clergy Services Coordinator/
Secretary of the Conference
Licensing School Dean
Register Now
Register Now
Register Now
$50 Registration Fee
Session 1: April 28, 2025 – May 2, 2025
Meeting IN-PERSON ONLY: Monday through Thursday, Friday is Virtual
In person classes will be at North Orangeburg UMC, 950 Cook Road, Orangeburg, SC 29118
Participants are responsible for making their own reservations for lodging. All meals will be on your own.
Monday, April 28, 2025
- Morning Devotion
8:45 am – 9:00 am: led by Rev. Melton Arant - United Methodist Tradition (Theology & History)
9:00 am – 5:00 pm: taught by Rev. David McManus
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
- Morning Devotion
8:45 am – 9:00 am:Â led by Rev. Melton Arant - Public Worship/Liturgy, Baptism & Holy Communion
9:00 am – 5:00 pm: taught by Rev. Shawna Darnall
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- Morning Devotion
8:45 am – 9:00 am:Â led by Rev. Melton Arant - Preaching
9:00 am – 5:00 pm: taught by Rev. Dr. Anthony Hodge
Thursday, May 1, 2025
- Morning Devotion
8:45 am – 9:00 am:Â led by Rev. Melton Arant - Evangelism and Mission
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: taught by Rev. Steve Patterson - 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Continuing as a Local Pastor moving forward and Best Practices taught by Rev. Melton Arant
Friday, May 2, 2025
- DAY OFF
Session 2: May 9, 2025 – May 10, 2025
VIRTUAL LEARNING SESSION with both synchronous and asynchronous learning using the ZOOM platform.
Participants must be online with the rest of the Licensing School Cohort during synchronous learning days.
Friday, May 9, 2025
- VIRTUAL SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING MORNING: Class will be conducted virtually using ZOOM
- Morning Devotion
8:45 am – 9:00 am:Â led by Rev. Melton Arant - Records for membership, giving, financials, personnel, and trustees
9:00 am – Noon: taught by Rev. Robert Cox - VIRTUAL ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING AFTERNOON: Participants will complete assignments related to recorded lessons that can be viewed anytime as long as the assignments and projects contained in the video lessons are complete and turned in by May 24, 2025.
- Continued Wedding and Funerals: Video lessons taught by Rev. Melton Arant, Rev. Tiffany Boykin, and Rev. Nick Lyerly
- Complete the Pastoral Care & Counseling (Candler) Module that was sent via email.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
- VIRTUAL ASYNCHRONOUSÂ LEARNING DAY: Participants will complete assignments related to recorded lessons that can be viewed anytime as long as the assignments and projects contained in the video lessons are complete and turned in by May 24, 2025.
- Christian Education: Video lessons taught by Rev. Angela Marshall
- Complete Lewis Center’s “Keeping our Sacred Trust” online course.
Session 3: May 16, 2025 – May 17, 2025
VIRTUAL LEARNING SESSION with only synchronous learning using the ZOOM platform.
Participants must be online with the rest of the Licensing School Cohort during synchronous learning days.
Friday, May 16, 2025
- VIRTUAL SYNCHRONOUSÂ LEARNING DAY: Class will be conducted virtually using ZOOM
- Morning Devotion
8:45 am – 9:00 am:Â led by Rev. Melton Arant - Pension & Health Benefits,
9:00 am – 10:45 am: led by Rev. Rett Haselden, - Congregational Development and Cross Racial Ministry
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: led by Rev. James Friday - Leadership, Covenant & Common Sense
1:30 pm -3:30 pm: led by Rev. Terry Fleming - Church and Conference Finance
3:30- 5:00 pm: led by Beth Westbury
Saturday, May 17, 2025
- VIRTUAL SYNCHRONOUSÂ LEARNING DAY: Class will be conducted virtually using ZOOM
- Morning Devotion
8:45 am – 9:00 am:Â led by Rev. Melton Arant - Safe Sanctuary Training
9:00 am -11:30 am: led by Rev. Katherine Haselden Crimm - Boundaries & Ethics: Completion of the Lewis Center’s Sexual Ethics assigned online course
- Required Materials that you should have available for each class:
- a Bible,
- a UM Hymnal
- the 2016 Book of Discipline
Register Now
$25 Registration Fee
Persons who have completed at least one-third of their work for a Master of Divinity degree at a school of theology listed by the University Senate (¶315.2c) may be exempted from Sessions 2 & 3. The Office of Clergy Services and the Director of the Licensing School will determine if a person is eligible to exempt Sessions 1 & 2 in conjunction and consultation with your District Superintendent. All persons expecting to be appointed for the first time must attend Session 3.
