Candler School of Theology
The Methodist Studies Program
The Methodist studies program promotes
the ethos of the Wesleyan heritage
through course offerings and programs
for United Methodists and the Pan
Methodist community. The director of
Methodist studies coordinates course
offerings in United Methodist history,
doctrine, and polity that meet the
requirements for ordination set forth in
The Book of Discipline of The United
Methodist Church. For further information
about the Methodist studies
program contact Anne Burkholder, the
associate dean of Methodist studies.
Ordination in The United Methodist Church
As noted in The Book of Discipline,
“within the church community, there are
persons whose gifts, evidence of God’s
grace, and promise of future usefulness
are affirmed by the community and
who respond to God’s call by offering
themselves in leadership as ordained
ministers.” Ordained deacons are called
to ministries of word and service for the
purpose of leading and equipping others
through “teaching, proclamation, and
worship” and assisting the elders in the
administration of the sacraments and
the order of the church. Those called to
ministry of service, word, sacrament, and
order serve as elders; they are “authorized
to preach and teach the Word of
God, to administer the sacraments of
baptism and Holy Communion, and to
order the life of the church for mission
and ministry.”
Candidacy for United Methodist
Ordination
Those preparing for ordination in The
United Methodist Church formally
explore
the call to ministry through a
process of candidacy as required in The
Book of Discipline.
Students interested in exploring the call to ministry are
encouraged to begin the candidacy
process as early as possible by contacting
the pastor of their local church, another
ordained deacon or elder, or their district
superintendent. Students may be able
to fulfill
the requirements for becoming a certified candidate by taking MIN
510, Vocational Discernment,
taught by certified clergy mentors. Students must
receive written approval from their district
superintendent in order to meet the
requirement through this course.
Programs in Discernment and Support of the Ordination Process
Seeking United Methodist Ordination
(SUMO) is a program series assisting students
in understanding and successfully
completing the United Methodist candidacy
and ordination process. Sessions
focus on topics ranging from discernment
through credentialing interviews. SUMO
programs are facilitated by members of
Boards of Ordained Ministry, denominational
leaders, and UM clergy at Candler.
All UM students are introduced to
SUMO at orientation.
Requirements for Ordination in The United Methodist Church
Preparation for ordination as deacon can
be gained through the master of divinity
degree program or through basic graduate
theological studies courses taken as a
special student. For those preparing for
elders orders, the basic graduate theological
courses are part of the MDiv degree
program.
Annual Conference Visits
Bishops, district superintendents, and
Board of Ordained Ministry representatives
from over twenty-five annual conferences
visit Candler each year. These
visits strengthen relationships between
students and their annual conferences
and also provide an opportunity for
students to get acquainted with conferences
in which they might be interested in
serving. Students are encouraged to make
appointments or join in meals with the
visitors.
Teaching Parish Program
The Teaching Parish Program offers mentoring
and support for students serving as
local pastors while in seminary. See page
24 for more information.
United Methodist Certification Studies
Persons interested in serving the church
as professional lay ministers can become
certified in the areas of Christian education,
church music, evangelism, and
youth ministry. To become certified,
persons must take designated graduate
theological courses called certification
courses.
The four courses for certification
as an associate in Christian education
cover the biblical and theological foundations
of Christian education and are
designed to include an understanding
of The United Methodist Church, its
structure, curriculum, and resources.
(Bible, Theology, Teaching/Learning, and
Administration/Leadership.)
The five courses for certification as
an associate in youth ministry cover the
biblical and theological foundations
of youth ministry and are designed to
include an understanding of The United
Methodist Church, its structure, curriculum,
and resources. (Bible, Theology,
Adolescent World, Ministry with Youth,
and United Methodist Doctrine/Polity.)
The cost of taking graduate theological
studies courses is $700 per semester
hour plus activity fees, which vary
depending on the course enrollment. All
nondegree certification and graduate
theological studies students who register
with the Board of Higher Education and
Ministry may be eligible for scholarship
assistance from the board.
Basic Graduate Theological Education
Book Of Discipline 2004 ¶324.4.a
The Book of Discipline requires courses
in ten subjects basic to graduate theological
studies in preparation for ordination.
Some annual conference Boards of
Ordained Ministry expect candidates
to take an introductory survey course
covering a particular subject, especially
if the candidate does not have previous
background in that subject. Other boards
will accept any course within a particular
subject (as indicated by the course prefix,
such as M for missions). Consult with
your board to be certain of its policy.
The following courses in Candler’s
curriculum meet the basic requirements
(depending on your board’s policy):
Old Testament
Credit, three hours
OT501. Interpretation of the Old
Testament or any course with OT course
number
New Testament
Credit, three hours
NT501. Interpretation of the New
Testament or any course with NT course
number
Theology
Credit, three hours
CT503. Systematic Theology or any
course with ST (systematic theology) or
HT (historical theology) course number
Church History
Credit, three hours
CT501. Introduction to the History of
Christian Thought I, or CT502, or any
course with HT or CH (church history)
course number
Mission of the Church in the World
Credit, three hours
M603. The Church’s Mission in a
Pluralistic World or any course with M
or CC (Church and Community) course
number
Evangelism
Credit, three hours
EV501. Enabling an Evangelizing Church
or any course with EV course number
Worship/Liturgy (3 hours)
Credit, three hours
W501. Public Worship or any course with W course number
Courses in United Methodism: the minimum
two hours as stated in Discipline
¶335.3.d.
United Methodist History
Credit, two or three hours
DS511. History of Methodism
United Methodist Doctrine
Credit, two or three hours
DS512. Theology of Wesley and
Methodism
United Methodist Polity
Credit, two or three hours
DS513. Polity of The United Methodist
Church
Total Credit: 27 or 30 hours