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Licensed Local Pastor Information and Resources

Welcome! If God is calling you to become a pastor, but you do not discern seminary as the best path for you, you may want to consider becoming a local pastor.

A local pastor most often answers God’s call to serve the mission of Jesus Christ by serving a local congregation. They are not ordained or elected to full membership of the annual conference, nor are they required to itinerate. Additionally, a local pastor’s authority is only within their specific appointment setting.

Local pastors serve under the authority of a license for pastoral ministry after completing the steps outlined in ¶315 of The Book of Discipline (2016) and meeting any annual conference requirements. When appointed, a local pastor performs the usual duties of a pastor in their appointment setting, including (but not limited to):

  • Preaching and teaching.
  • Leading in worship and liturgy.
  • Receiving new members.
  • Performing the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.
  • Performing the services of marriage (where state laws allow), burial and confirmation.

Steps to becoming a local pastor listed in order of completion:

Resources for each step on your path as a local pastor:

Certification as a Candidate for Ministry

The following links and forms are provided to support the work of the District Committee on Ministry (dCOM) and candidates in navigating the process of certification:

              Please send completed candidacy and license renewal paperwork to Board of Ordained Ministry Administrator Stephanie Franklin at candidates@pnwumc.org and/or Local Pastor Registrar (To Be Appointed).

              Licensing School

              Please send Licensing School Registration and scholarship applications to your District Superintendent and Local Pastor Registrar for signature (in that order).  Once licensed, Local Pastors must connect with their dCOM annually to renew their license. 

              Course of Study (COS)/Advanced Course of Study (ACOS)

              Please send Course of Study registration and scholarship applications to your District Superintendent and Local Pastor Registrar for signature (in that order).

              Helpful resources once appointed

                    BOM Menu


                    Questions?

                    • Board of Ordained Ministry Administrator Stephanie Franklin can help with general questions as well as candidacy and license renewal questions and forms.
                    • Licensed Local Pastor Registrar Sheila Marie can help with questions and suggestions related to any part of the process.
                    • Local Pastor Fellowship Chair Vonda McFadden can help with questions and suggestions related to any part of the process.
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