• Studies for license as a local pastor are a joint enterprise between the District Committee on Ministry, the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
• The license is necessary for all persons not ordained as elder who are appointed to preach, conduct worship, and perform the duties of a pastor.
• The school is an eight month course of study comprising 80 contact hours over six educational modules
  • Persons seeking a license as a Local Pastor must exhibit basic competencies before the dCOM and the BOM can recommend them as eligible for appointment. The school represents the elementary preparation for what the church considers the knowledge and practical skills essential to the practice of ministry.
  • Completion of Licensing School does not guarantee appointment

PREPARATORY and HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Homework will be assigned before each module which will include the reading of specified texts, research and writing of papers and other activities the instructors assign. Assignments  will be distributed for preparation one month prior to the scheduled class and should be completed before the class session and submitted to the instructor by the due date.

BOOKS!
Recommended texts include the Bible, the United Methodist Book of Worship, the United Methodist Hymnal, and the 2004 Book of Discipline. All other assigned texts will be made available for purchase through Cokesbury Bookstore and be included in the syllabus of each module.  

INSTRUCTORS
Rev. Dr. Brian S. Homan, Director
Rev. Joanne Haier, Co-Director
Rev. BJ Norrix, Preaching
Rev. Sharon Rankins-Burd, Worship
Rev. Dan Corretore, Grief Counseling
Rev. George Sanderson, Counseling
Rev. Charles Marks, Wesleyan history
Mr. Ronald Salyer, Stewardship
Rev. Dr. Stephen Deckard, Administration and Book of Discipline
Mr. Greg Forrester, Mission
Ms. Sheila Price, Christian Education
Rev. Aaron Bouwens, Church Growth
Rev. Carol Keller, Professional Boundaries

CLASS STRUCTURE

Friday-Saturday Classes:
Begin Friday at 6:00 p.m. with supper and conclude Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
Friday supper, Saturday breakfast and lunch are included.

Saturday Classes gather at 8:30 a.m. with the session running from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday lunch is included.


WHERE ARE THE CLASSES HELD?
Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center is on Brantingham Lake in the Adirondack Park
NCNY Conference Center is in Cicero, north of Syracuse
Casowasco Conference and Retreat Center is on Owasco Lake, 12 miles south of Auburn on Route 34

COST: $500
- $200 scholarship for NCNY students or $50/session.
- individual sessions priced for non-NCNY students
- books, transportation and others costs at student expense

Eligibility:

• Certified Candidates for ministry
• Inquiring Candidates serving a UM church
• Pastor from Other Denomination serving a UM Church
• Seminary graduate serving a local parish prior to ordination
• Seminary graduate who has no prior service in a pastoral role.
  

Requirements to complete Local Pastor's Licensing School in the North central New York Annual Conference:

1. Successful completion of all all six modules of Licensing School
2. Completion of Disciple Bible Study or an equivalent approved by applicant's dCOM,
3. dCom recommendation, including required testing (psychological and criminal background check)
4. Approval by the clergy session of Annual Conference.


2007 - 2008 MODULE  SCHEDULE

CLASS SCHEDULE

MODULE I: September 21 - 22 - Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center
Preaching and Worship: Rev. BJ Norrix and Rev Sharon Rankins-Burd

MODULE II: October 26 - 27 - Casowasco Conference and Retreat Center
Pastoral Counseling: Rev. George Sanderson - Friday, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Pastoral Care: Dr. Brian Homan - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - Noon
Grief Counseling and Care: Rev. Dan Corretore - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.


MODULE III: November 17 - NCNY Conference Center
Methodist History: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
Theology, Doctrine and Sacraments, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Rev. Charles Marks & Rev. Dr. Brian Homan


MODULE IV: January 19 - NCNY Conference Center
Book of Discipline and Polity: 10:00 a.m. - Noon,  Rev. Dr. Stephen Deckard,    
Stewardship: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Mr. Ron Salyer   


MODULE V: March 28 - 29 - Casowasco Conference and Retreat Center
Education, Mission and Church Growth
Mission: 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 a.m. Friday - Mr Greg Forrester
Education:10:00 a.m. - Noon, Saturday - Rev. Sheila Price
Church Growth: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturday - Rev. Aaron Bouwens


MODULE VI: April 25 - 26 - Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center
Conflict Management: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday - Dr. Brian Homan
Personal and Professional Boundaries: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturday - Rev. Carol Keller