Elder
Learn more about the path to Ordination as an Elder and find Board of Ordained Ministry written prompts.
Certified Candidacy
In the NC Conference, there are many avenues for serving as a pastor – both within and beyond the local church. Find resources to become a Certified Candidate.
Read the Steps to Candidacy. Read More
Educational Requirements
- Required to take at least one course in each of the Basic Graduate Theological Studies. Please read the document linked below for NC Conference Requirements.
- You can take these classes through one of these two options. If you already have a theology degree, please send your transcripts to registrar@nccumc.org to determine what classes you still need for Ordination.
- Completion of Basic Course of Study and Advanced Course of Study
- Elders are required to obtain a Master of Divinity degree (or equivalent) from a school of theology or seminary that includes Basic Graduate Theological Studies and is University Senate-approved.
Read about the full Educational Requirements. Read More
Days of Discernment
Days of Discernment (DOD) is your first interview with the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM). At DOD, you will interview with one of the Board of Ordained Ministry Discernment Teams to discuss your call to ordained ministry (Elder or Deacon), and this is the team you will meet with going forward.
At the interview, the Discernment Team will discuss your paperwork (there is written work required), your call, and anything else in your file they feel is important (previous written work, background check, psychological evaluation, etc.).
Read FAQs about the Days of Discernment. Read More
Provisional Membership
- If you are approved at Days of Discernment (DOD), you are eligible to write for Provisional Membership. Prompts are typically released in April and can be found on the Written Work page.
- As required by the Book of Discipline, all provisional members participate in RIOM (Residency in Ordained Ministry) during their provisional period. RIOM is designed to extend theological education through covenant groups and mentoring, helping provisional members grow in the practice of ministry, deepen their understanding of ordained ministry, and live into covenant ministry within the conference.
In the North Carolina Conference, the provisional period is at least two years. Some annual conferences require three years.
Learn more about RIOM. Read More
Residency in Ordained Ministry (RIOM)
Grounding residents in baptismal identity and a rule of life to sustain them for a lifetime of joyful service in the UMC.
Connecting residents to one another, the BOM, conference leaders and peers, laity, members of local communities, and their local contexts.
Equipping residents through ministry reflection, self-awareness, and practical appreciative leadership tools.
Learn more about RIOM. Read More
Full Connection
Information coming soon.