Continuing Education

Clergy education has been characteristic of the Methodist movement from the beginning and continues to be vital for effective ministry. The experiences of God's love give us impetus to explore new information, to gain a better understanding, and to communicate more skillfully with the world. Clergy are lifelong learners. Continuing our education means we continually discover our God-given potential and develop it to its fullest, for empowering the awareness and development of the God-given potential of others.

The Discipline provides these details about clergy continuing education:

a.. A clergy member's continuing education and spiritual growth program should include such leaves at least 1 week each year and at least 1 month during 1 year of every quadrennium. Such leaves shall not be considered part of the minister's vacations.

b.. Clergy shall be asked by the district superintendent in the charge conference to report on their programs of continuing education, formation, and spiritual growth for the past year and plans for the year to come.

c.. A clergy member who has held full-time appointments for at least 6 years may request a formational and spiritual growth leave of up to 6 months while continuing to hold an appointment in the local church.

d.. Associate members and clergy members in full connection who have been serving in a full-time appointment for 6 consecutive years may be granted a sabbatical leave for up to 1 year, for a program of study or travel.. (

e.. The Board of Ordained Ministry shall provide support services for the ordained minister’s career development, including personal and career counseling, continuing education, formation in servant leadership and continuing spiritual growth in Christ, assistance in preparation for retirement, and all matters pertaining to clergy morale.

f.. The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry shall provide guidance and resources or the continuing education, spiritual formation, and career development of faithful and effective pastors, deacons, chaplains, diaconal ministers and persons certified for specialized ministries serving in local churches, extension ministries, and other appointment settings in the church and world.

GBHEM fulfills its responsibility for guidance, in part, by specifying these tasks for the BOOM of each Annual Conference:

a.. Establish minimal standards and guidelines concerning quantity, quality, goals, and financial assistance.

b.. Ensure availability.

At its February plenary, our conferences BOOM adopted the standards and guidelines suggested by the Division Of Ordained Ministry of GBHEM. These are as follows:

a.. Each clergy member should complete 8 units of continuing education (CEUs) every quadrennium.

There are 2 styles suggested for continuing education:

a.. A supervised or leader-directed activity

b.. A self-directed activity that has a clearly-defined plan including an accountability person or group to whom the learner relates while implementing the learning activities. For equivalency purposes, 1 CEU = 10 contact hours

c.. CEUs need to be registered with the BOOM-elected registrar for Continuing Education, Rev. Vicky Fleming. A formal certificate/transcript is not required, but a written acknowledgement is necessary. For the convenience of NYACs clergy, BOOM has developed a reporting form. Forms are available by contacting Rev. Fleming.

the form (to be downloaded) on the web page*****

Coordinating continuing education for clergy is an aspect of BOOMs responsibility to develop systems for clergy support and accountability. The Board of Ordained Ministry is available and ready to serve the clergy and diaconal ministers of NYAC through continuing education opportunities.

Ministerial Education Funding - MEF

By Rev. Judy Stevens, Chair

The Ministerial Education Fund (MEF) is a financial resource .BOOM coordinates for our conference. Each annual conference receives MEF through our apportioned giving. Mr. Robert Miller is the BOOM-elected coordinator. Funds are available annually for seminary students, clergy, and diaconal ministers in our conference. .

Seminary Scholarships

In order to qualify for funding, a seminary student must be a certified candidate for ministry (Candidacy Certification is a step in each districts candidacy process). Certified candidates for ministry can receive up to $2,000 per semester. The a lifetime limited on seminary scholarship funds is $12,000. Seminary scholarships are granted as a loan that is automatically forgiven after three years of full time appointed ministry in our conference.

Continuing Education

Licensed, commissioned, consecrated, and ordained members of our conference may apply for MEF to assist with continuing education. MEF is to be used in partnership with the individuals own funds, local parish funds, and other funding sources, as appropriate. Award amounts will typically be 40% of the total amount needed, and an individual may apply only once a year.

MEF Procedure

*MEF applications will be considered throughout the year on a contemporaneous basis.

*A written Financial Information Form is required for initial seminary student applications. Seminary students who are continuing their studies must notify MEF prior to the beginning of each school year for further scholarship awards.

*Continuing Education scholarship requests must specify: name of the applicant; church /address; nature of the continuing education event; costs incurred/expected ; all sources of funding expected; the payee for the award; other relevant information.

*Actual payment timing of authorized MEF awards will be determined by funds availability within the NYAC.

*Requests for funding, or for further information should be sent to:

Robert Miller, MEF Coordinator

205 Silver Creek Lane

Norwalk, Ct. 06850-1649

FAX 203 847-2012

Email rbobgmiller@aol.com

The Form to be downloaded from the BOOM webpage

Courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church

Send e-mails to Gary Williams with comments about these Web Pages.