Call to Ministry

Ministry Discernment

For many, the journey begins with a sense of nudging—through prayer, conversations, or experiences of service. If you’re feeling called, we encourage you to speak with your pastor or another trusted ministry leader. They can help you begin formal discernment with your district superintendent and connect you to the Candidacy Process.

As part of your discernment, we also invite you to participate in Called to Serve: The Ministry Discernment Summit, held annually for those exploring a call to ministry. This summit provides an opportunity to hear from deacons, licensed local pastors, ordained elders, and lay leaders who share how they discerned their own calls and what ministry looks like in their contexts. It’s a meaningful (and required) step toward discovering where God may be calling you to serve.

The Candidacy Process

This process begins when you express your call to your pastor and District Superintendent. It includes:

• Enrollment in Candidacy with the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM)
• Meeting with the District Superintendent to request admission to the Candidacy Process wherein you will submit a written statement of your call
• Completing initial forms, background checks, and psychological assessments
• Guidance from a candidacy mentor
• Participation in required study modules and reflection on your call

Licensing School

For those in the candidacy process for ordination or licensed local pastor, Licensing School provides intensive training in Wesleyan theology, leadership, worship, preaching, sacraments, administration, and pastoral care, as well as providing an introduction to the Horizon Texas Conference. It is required before receiving a first appointment as a local pastor.

Mentoring

The mission of mentoring is to promote vocational identity and effective ministry through a relationship that provides support, accountability, and growth in Christian maturity. Mentoring begins in a group process with other persons discerning a call to ministry. It continues throughout the candidacy process until a candidate is ordained or has completed the educational requirements for a licensed local pastor. It is designed to accompany you on the journey offering support, holy conversation and guidance, through a conference designed group curriculum, moving to an individual curriculum for those in residency.

Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM)

The BOM oversees the credentialing process for:

• Certified Candidates
• Licensed Local Pastors
• Provisional Members on the path to ordination as Deacons or Elders
• Ordained Ministers (full connection)

The BOM conducts interviews, reviews readiness and effectiveness and offers support through each stage of ministry preparation

Pathways into Ministry

While some are called to ordination, others may find their calling fulfilled through:

• Certified Lay Ministry
• Lay Servant or Lay Speaker Roles
• Specialized ministries like youth & children’s ministry, missions, music ministry and church administration
• Chaplaincy or new church planting (these require licensing or ordination)

External Contacts

• BOM Ministry Executive Committee
  • Rev. Dr. Beth Evers, BOM Chair
  • Rev. Kyland Dobbins, BOM Vice Chair
  • Robert Garza, At-Large Lay Member
  • Rev. Alex Williams, Chair of Credentialing Interviews
  • Rev. Dr. Frank Drenner, Conference Relations Chair
  • Rev. Kim Long, Chair of Mentoring
  • Rev. Ramsey Jay, Director, Residency Program
  • Kim Simpson, Co-Chair of District Committee on Ministries Relations
  • Rev. Mitchell Boone, Co-Chair of District Committee on Ministries Relations
  • Rev. Scott Luginbill, Chair of the Fellowship of Local Pastors & Associate Members
  • Rev. Abbey Echols, Chair of the Order of Deacons
  • Rev. Josh Stueve, Chair of the Order of Elders

• District Superintendents
  • Rev. Dr. John McLarty – East and Mid-North
  • Rev. Dr. Lucretia R. Facen – Metro East
  • Rev. Philip Rhodes – Metro North
  • Rev. Danny Tenney – Metro West
  • Rev. Tom Long – Mid-Central, Northwest, and West
  • Rev. Dr. Mary Spradlin – Mid-South and South

Resources

• General Board of Higher Education & Ministry Licensed and Ordained Ministry Credentialing Requirements
• BOM Scholarships & Grants