Ministerial Education
Course Requirements and Book List
The General Board of Ministerial Education (GBME) oversees the educational materials in the Course of Study, recommends the qualification and requirements for Educational Grants, and maintains the records of all people in the Course of Study.The Course of Study is not a substitute for a college or seminary education. In fact, that is the preferred path toward ordination.
There are two paths of study in the Course of Study. One is the granting of ministerial orders for becoming a Elder full connection with a Conference followed by ordination. The second is the Deacon & Deaconess path for consecration into the service ministry of the EMC.
Statement of Purpose: The GBME will create an appropriate and comprehensive curriculum to facilitate the process of persons toward ordination, consecration, and ministerial service in the EMC, and, provide opportunities for continuing education.
Goals and objectives for the coming quadrennium (2006-2010):
In addition to the clerical maintenance and administration of the course of study, the BOME will continue to partner with the Board of Ministerial Relations to ensure that persons being ordained and consecrated into ministry in the EMC are of the highest caliber and have been appropriately prepared educationally.
Additionally, the BOME facilitates ongoing education by planning and hosting events on both the District Conference and national level that can be attended by persons in the course of study, by Ordained Elders, Consecrated Deacons/Deaconesses, and also by other church leaders. Several District Conferences host their own events annually.
GBME Contact
General Conference Chairman and Atlantic Conference
Rev. Max Edwards
820 Okisko Road
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: 252-264-2254
Fax: 252-264-4170
emcpastormax@earthlink.net
Central Lakes Conference
Rev. Steve Arnold
6876 E. 100 S.
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: 260-335-2103
pastorsteve@jayco.net
Mid-States Conference
Rev. Russ Cochran
2602 South FM 116
Copperas Cove, TX 76522
Phone: 254-547-3349
Fax: 254-547-3384
preachnman@aol.com
Northwest Conference
Rev. William Carroll
4170 E. Amity Road
Nampa, ID 83687
Phone: 208-463-9070
bill@crossroadsnampa.com
Southern Conference
Rev. Dewey Fleming
PO Box 62
Dalton, GA 30722
Phone: 706-278-9208
dfemc@alltel.net
Southwest Conference
Rev. Jeff Bishop
4210 N. Francisco Drive
Eloy, AZ 85231
Phone: 520-466-3804
Fax: 520-466-7383
pastor@toltecemc.org
Course Requirements and Book List
I. LOCAL PREACHER
Examinations:
How We Got Our Bible
Discipline of the Evan. Meth. Church
This We Believe, A Catechism
Basic Beliefs
Introduction to Homiletics
Pastoral Theology (Chapter 8)
New Testament Survey
Examinations:
How We Got Our Bible
Discipline of the Evangelical Methodist Church
This We Believe, A Catechism
Basic Beliefs, Demaray
New Testament Survey, Tenney
Introduction to Homiletics, Demaray
Pastoral Theology, Oden (Exam on chapter 8 only)/p>
Reading:
Inductive Preaching
EMC Handbook on the Discipline
Winning with People
A Celebration of Discipline
A Look into Life
A Right Conception of Sin
Ministerial Ethics & Etiquette
Spiritual Leadership
Up With Worship
God’s Healing Community
II. ADMISSION ON TRIAL
Examinations:
Perfect Love
Seven Laws of the Learner
Introduction to the Pentateuch
Anointed Expository Preaching
God’s Great Salvation
Robert’s Rules of Order
Reading:
Master Plan of Evangelism
Out of the Salt Shaker
Life in the Son
Lectures to My Students
The Blessed Hope
Spirit of Truth and Error (I and II)
Mighty Prevailing Prayer
How to Be a People Helper
The Marriage Builder
Heroes of the Holy Life
Reading on Infant Baptism
Reading on Modes of Baptism
Written Sermon: “Repentance”
ELDER’S ORDERS
Examinations:
Introduction to Christian Theology
Fifty-two Standard Sermons
The Purpose Driven Church
Awesome Volunteers
Gifts of the Spirit
America’s Bishop: Francis Asbury
Called To Be Holy
Wesley & Sanctification
Foundations of Doctrine
Christianity through the Centuries
Effective Biblical Counseling
Studies In Biblical Holiness
Reading:
A Plain Account of Christian Perfection
The Preacher’s Portrait
Habits of Highly Effective Churches
Biblical Preaching
The Preacher: His Life and Work
Becoming a Healthy Church
Revival Fire
The Last of the Giants
So what’s the Difference
Scientific Creationism
The Journal of John Wesley
Teaching to Change Lives
Church Administration Handbook
The Mind of Christ
Beyond Beliefs to Convictions
Nothing to Do But to Save Souls
Written Sermon: “Sanctification”
IV. DEACON/DEACONESS
Examinations:
Basic Beliefs
Effective Biblical Counseling
Discipline of the EMC
New Testament Survey
Awesome Volunteers
This We Believe, A Catechism
The Power of Praying Together
Called to Be Holy
Seven Laws of the Learner
Discipleship Training:
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Teach Level I (Pastor’s Certification)
Reading:
The Master Plan of Evangelism
Ministries of Mercy
Touch the World Through Prayer
Teaching to Change Lives
Life in the Son
A Look Into Life
Ablaze for God
The Purpose Driven Life
Mighty Prevailing Prayer
Up With Worship
God’s Healing Community
Introduction to Homiletics
Heroes of the Holy Life
Beyond Beliefs to Convictions
Nothing to Do But to Save Souls
Course Requirements
PLEASE CALL HEADQUARTERS - ALL PAGES ARE IN A UPDATING PROCESS SINCE GENERAL CONFERNCE.
*Complete all four levels of Discipleship Training and teach level one of the D.T.
Exams
Elder 1
Local Preacher
Deacon/Deaconess
Elder 2
Admissions Exam
Examiners
List of Examiners – Local Preacher
New Testament Survey, Tenney
Rev. Daniel Stiles
3801 Lincoln Ave
Covington, KY 41015
Phone: 859-261-8369
Email: pastor@first-emc.org
How We Got Our Bible, Earle
Rev. Gordon Johnson
526 Daffon Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Phone: 317-865-9705
Email: gwjrej@aol.com
Discipline of the Evangelical Methodist Church
Rev. James Coulston
P. O. Box 17070
Indianapolis, IN 46217
Phone: 317-780-8017
Email: generalsecretary@emchurch.org
This We Believe, a Catechism
Rev. James Coulston
P. O. Box 17070
Indianapolis, IN 46217
Phone: 317-780-8017
Email: generalsecretary@emchurch.org
Basic Beliefs, Demaray
Rev. Daniel Stiles
3801 Lincoln Ave
Covington, KY 41015
Phone: 859-261-8369
Email: pastor@first-emc.org
Introduction to Homiletics, Demaray
Rev. Bob Gober
P. O. Box 835
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Phone: 828-874-1661
Email: gobers@conninc.com
Pastoral Theology, Oden
Dr. Paul Bullman
21850 Belleview Rd. #34
Sonora, CA 95370
Phone: 209-588-8614
Email: pbullman1@juno.com
List of Examiners – Admission On Trial
Perfect Love, Wood
Rev. Billy Carey
1418 Sherwood Drive
Kannapolis, NC 28081
Phone: 704-933-6675
Email: careygrace@aol.com
Seven Laws of the Learner, Wilkinson
Mrs. Peggy Trim
P. O. Box 127
Duvall, WA 98019
Phone: 425-788-5689
Email: peggytrim@msn.com
Handbook on the Pentateuch, Hamilton
Rev. LeRoy VanVerth
1324 East Mountain Place
Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: 520-887-2840
Email: vanverth@earthlink.net
Anointed Expository Preaching, Olford
Rev. Bob Gober
P. O. Box 835
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Phone: 828-874-1661
Email: gobers@conninc.com
God’s Great Salvation, Duewel
Rev. Billy Carey
1418 Sherwood Drive
Kannapolis, NC 28081
Phone: 704-933-6675
Email:careygrace@aol.com
Robert’s Rules of Order
Rev. Daniel Stiles
3801 Lincoln Ave
Covington, KY 41015
Phone: 859-261-8369
Email: pastor@first-emc.org
List of Examiners – Elder
Introduction to Christian Theology, Culbertson
Dr. Paul Bullman
21850 Belleview Rd. #34
Sonora, CA 95370
Phone: 209-588-8614
Email: pbullman1@juno.com
Fifty-two Standard Sermons, Wesley
Rev. Vernon Perkins
9025 West 17th Street N
Wichita, KS 67212
Phone: 316-644-1241
Email: vernonperkinsv@msn.com
Purpose Driven Church, Warren
Mrs. Peggy Trim
P. O. Box 127
Duvall, WA 98019
Phone: 425-788-5689
Email: peggytrim@msn.com
Awesome Volunteers, Yount
Mrs. Loretta Williamson
361 Country Woods Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46217-5038
Phone: 317-889-1838
Email: edloretta@comcast.net
Gifts of the Spirit, Kinghorn
Rev. Vernon Perkins
9025 West 17th Street N
Wichita, KS 67212
Phone: 316-644-1241
Email: vernonperkinsv@msn.com
America’s Bishop: The Life of Francis Asbury, Salter
Rev. Gordon Johnson
526 Daffon Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Phone: 317-865-9705
Email: gwjrej@aol.com
Called to Be Holy: A Biblical Perspective, Oswalt
Dr. Paul Bullman
21850 Belleview Rd. #34
Sonora, CA 95370
Phone: 209-588-8614
Email: pbullman1@juno.com
Wesley and Sanctification, Lindstrom
Rev. Bill Story
3113 East 79th St.
Tulsa, OK 74136
Phone: 918-481-5433
Email: readstory@aol.com
Foundations of Doctrine, Jessop
Dr. Paul Bullman
21850 Belleview Rd. #34
Sonora, CA 95370
Phone: 209-588-8614
Email: pbullman1@juno.com
Christianity Through the Centuries, Cairns
Rev. Bill Story
3113 East 79th St.
Tulsa, OK 74136
Phone: 918-481-5433
Email: readstory@aol.com
Effective Biblical Counseling, Crabb
Mrs. Cindy Potter
12520 232nd Terrace NE
Redmond, WA 98053
Phone: 425-836-9418
Email: tandcpotter@comcast.net
Studies in Biblical Holiness, Metz
Rev. Bob Gober
P. O. Box 835
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Phone: 828-874-1661
Email: gobers@conninc.com
List of Examiners – Deacon/Deaconess
Basic Beliefs, Demaray
Rev. Daniel Stiles
3801 Lincoln Ave
Covington, KY 41015
Phone: 859-261-8369
Email: pastor@first-emc.org
Effective Biblical Counseling, Crabb
Mrs. Cindy Potter
22829 NE 152nd Place
Woodinville, WA 98072
Phone: 425-788-3576
Email: tandcpotter@comcast.net
Discipleship Training (all 4 levels + teaching level 1)
Mrs. Cindy Potter
22829 NE 152nd Place
Woodinville, WA 98072
Phone: 425-788-3576
Email: tandcpotter@comcast.net
Discipline of the Evangelical Methodist Church
Rev. James Coulston
P. O. Box 17070
Indianapolis, IN 46217
Phone: 317-780-8017
Email: generalsecretary@emchurch.org
This We Believe, a Catechism
Rev. James Coulston
P. O. Box 17070
Indianapolis, IN 46217
Phone: 317-780-8017
Email: generalsecretary@emchurch.org
New Testament Survey, Tenney
Rev. Daniel Stiles
3801 Lincoln Ave
Covington, KY 41015
Phone: 859-261-8369
Email: pastor@first-emc.org
Awesome Volunteers, Yount
Mrs. Loretta Williamson
361 Country Woods Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46217-5038
Phone: 317-889-1838
Email: edloretta@comcast.net
The Power of Praying Together, Price
Mrs. Cindy Potter
12520 232nd Terrace NE
Redmond, WA 98053
Phone: 425-836-9418
Email: tandcpotter@comcast.net
Called to Be Holy: A Biblical Perspective, Oswalt
Dr. Paul Bullman
21850 Belleview Rd. #34
Sonora, CA 95370
Phone: 209-588-8614
Email: pbullman1@juno.com
Seven Laws of the Learner, Wilkinson
Mrs. Peggy Trim
P. O. Box 127
Duvall, WA 98019
Phone: 425-788-5689
Email: peggytrim@msn.com
Ministerial Education Fund
The Ministerial Education Fund is a service loan, which means that it is paid back by years of service to the Evangelical Methodist Church. These funds are available to students in an accredited Christian College in the Wesleyan tradition that is majoring in Bible, Pastoral Ministry, Christian Education or Missions. These funds are also available for seminary students enrolled in an accredited Theological Seminary in the Wesleyan tradition and approved by the Board of Ministerial Education and Advance Studies. Students enrolled in a Theological Seminary will be assisted at a higher level than students in an under-graduate program. For each year of full time ministry service, while under a call to an Evangelical Methodist Church or the Board of World Missions, after being ordained an Elder, one sixth (1/6) of the debt is cancelled. Otherwise, six years of full time ministerial service under a call to an Evangelical Methodist Church as an Elder cancels all outstanding loan obligations.
If an applicant does not complete the process of Ordination as an Elder or drops out of school, the loan is repayable at an interest rate of 6% per annum or the interest rate specified at the time the loan is issued in writing. The Conference Treasurer should be contacted to set up a plan for repayment. Years of service as a Member On Trial do not qualify toward repaying the loan debt. Years of service prior to the loan do not qualify toward repaying the loan debt. If an Elder withdraws or is discontinued from ministerial service the balance of the unpaid loan becomes due and is repayable at an interest rate of 6% per annum or the interest rate specified at the issuance in writing.
Checks for distribution of the Ministerial Education Fund resources are made jointly to the applicant and the school that he/she is attending. The funds must be used only for tuition expenses at the school and cannot be reimbursed to the student. If all funds allocated are not needed by a student, the individual school should refund any surplus to the General Conference Treasurer.
An applicant must be and Elder, or a person in process toward ordination as an Evangelical Methodist Elder to receive funds and must be recommended by the applicant’s home District Superintendent and Board of Ministerial Relations.
Applications are good for the entire academic year (September-May). One does not need to reapply for funds for the Winter/Spring Semester. No funds will be distributed retroactively.
If an applicant is less than a full time student (at less than 12 hours per semester), then the loan will be prorated based upon credit hours being taken.
The loan amount will be set per year by the General Board Ministerial Education and Advance Studies based upon funds on hand and interest rates at the time. The General Board of Ministerial Education and Advanced Studies will confirm the ministerial loan amount.
The purpose of the Ministerial Education Loan Fund is to assist in providing an adequately trained ministry for Evangelical Methodist Churches by:
1. Relieving some of the pressure of limited means, where such pressure may well prevent a ministerial candidate from obtaining the necessary education.
2. Reducing the necessity for too much employment while attending school thus allowing more time for adequate study.
3. Financially assisting students so that Evangelical Methodist pastors will be well trained, well read and well educated to minister fully and freely in Evangelical Methodist churches.
4. Assist financially in churches acquiring program/ministry interns for brief periods of time.
a. An intern may receive financial assistance for three months or one semester whichever is appropriate by the proposed job description.
b. An intern must be a member of good standing in an Evangelical Methodist Church.
c. An intern must be a College, Bible College or Seminary student intending to finish their degree.
d. The local church must submit a job description to the District Chair of the Board of Ministerial Education and a report of their conference support being paid in full.
5. Assist in funding the EMC Pastor’s Schools.
6. Provide scholarships for continuing education events as approved by the District Chairman of the Board of Ministerial Education (See Discipline, paragraph 482).
Regulations and Guidelines for Ministerial Fund Service Loans
A. Loans are made to students who are Elders, or who are preparing for ordination as an Elder, in the Evangelical Methodist Church.
1. All applicants must be a member in good standing in an Evangelical Methodist Church.
2. All applicants must provide a photocopy of the following:
a. High School diploma
b. College or University diploma, if applicable.
3. All applicants must maintain a “C” average or better to be eligible for additional loans the following school year.
4. All applicants must provide a letter of certification of enrollment from the academic institution.
5. A letter from the District Board of Ministerial Education and Advanced Studies indicating progress toward ordination as an Elder.
6. A letter from the District Board of Ministerial Relations stating that the applicant is an candidate for ministry and seems to be a person with gifts and graces for ministry.
7. A letter of recommendation from the academic institution.
8. A letter of recommendation from the District Superintendent.
B. The Board of Ministerial Education will consider only applicants who are enrolled in a Christian College with a major of: Bible, Christian Education, Pastoral Ministry, Youth Ministry, or Missions or an equivalent Discipline.
C. Criteria for approving applications for scholarships and loans: The resources being available in the Ministerial Education Fund.
(Applications are available from International Headquarters’ General Secretary. Complete the form and return it to the General Secretary who will distribute it to the appropriate District Chairman of the General Board of Ministerial Education.)
