The licensed local pastor is a critical part of the United Methodist Church in the Missouri Conference, and the percent of clergy in this category is growing larger each year. A key step in becoming a licensed local pastor is participation in licensing school, which was conducted this year May 20–26 at Central Methodist University in Fayette. Rev. Karen Taylor and Rev. Kevin Shelton were directors of the school, which had 36 students graduate this year.
Before licensing school, pastors are given a list of required reading and recommended reading. They must choose and complete three books from the required reading list before the school, and write three papers on what was learned from the books that will apply to their ministry.
The classes during the week focus on worship, pastoral aspects of ministry, organization of a parish for nurture and mission, spiritual formation, Christian education, and evangelism. They all prepare sermons during their week and offer each other critiques. Conference staff give instructions on some of the more business like aspects of being a pastor, such as clergy benefits.
During the season of changing appointments, much attention is paid to the lists of pastors’ names and the churches they serve. It is an important time of transition. During his time addressing the pastors, Missouri Bishop Bob Farr made it clear to the pastors attending licensing school that they should have a much wider focus than the people on their church roles.
Bishop Farr encouraged the pastors to consider the local school, the community center ... all aspects of the community to be part of their mission field.
“Too often the difference between the big nondenominational church down the street and the Methodist Church is that one is relevant, and one is not,” he said.
He recalled how he had been in licensing school himself 40 years ago, back when it was only three days long. He said the process has improved. Becoming a licensed pastor didn’t work out too well for a lot of people back then.
He told the soon-to-be licensed pastors that in his first two years as bishop, he has seen more revival in small churches than anywhere else. The first church he served grew from two families up to 70 people. He urged the pastors to encourage their congregation to personally cross the invisible lines of class separating people in their communities when they engage in mission.
“Make contacts in your community: Hang out at the school, post office, feed store – wherever the people are.
Bishop Farr encouraged the people present to continue learning their whole lives and not to become someone who has served as pastor for 40 years but only has a few years of experience that keeps getting repeated over and over.
Bishop Farr’s presentation was followed by Rev. Steve Breon, senior pastor of Platte Woods and chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Breon shared that he has been on a lifelong quest for holiness, but his view point about humanity’s relationship with God has changed.
Breon feels this can often be misinterpreted.
Breon offered his own suggestions for people going into ministry.
A piece of parting advice Breon left with the candidates was on the value of forgiveness.
“I believe the greatest contribution the Christian makes to the world of religion is forgiveness,” he said.