Survey probes candidacy process for deacons, pastors
4/8/2002 News media contact: Linda Green · (615) 742-5470 · Nashville, Tenn NOTE: A head-and-shoulders photograph of Mary Ann Moman is available at http://umns.umc.org/photos/headshots.html online.
*Gilbert is a staff member of the Office of Interpretation of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. By Kathy Gilbert* NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The Division of Ordained Ministry is conducting a survey on the process for becoming a United Methodist deacon or pastor.
"We are asking what is working well and what isn't working well, in an effort to improve the candidacy process," said Mary Ann Moman, the division's top executive.
Staff and elected directors are calling current candidates, recent graduates of the process, supervisors such as clergy mentors and members of boards of ordained ministry, and others to get comments on the system.
"So far it has led to some wonderful conversations," Moman said. Issues being studied include the length and complexity of the process.
The survey was discussed during the division's March 17-20 meeting in Boston. The division is part of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, based in Nashville.
During the meeting, the Rev. Robert Neville, dean of the Boston University School of Theology, presented a paper on "A Theological Analysis of the Order of Deacon in The United Methodist Church."
"The orders are absolutely equal in being specialized Christian identities," Neville told the division's directors. "Deacons are accountable not only to the church but to the community."
Staff and board members also heard reports from the division's sections.
The Section on Elders and Local Pastors provided an update about the upcoming Exploration 2002 event, set for Nov. 15-17 in Chicago. "Is God Calling You?" will be the theme for the biennial event, designed to help high school juniors to 24-year-olds discern God's call in their lives. Leaders will include the Rev. Aida Irizarry-Fernandez, district superintendent of the Metropolitan Boston North District; Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader, Sun Prairie, Wis.; the Rev. Nick Harvey, pastor of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Decatur, Ga.; and the Rev. Grant Hagiya, district superintendent of the California-Pacific Annual Conference. Registration forms must be postmarked by Sept. 30. Details can be found at www.gbhem.org/exploration online.
The Section on Deacons and Diaconal Ministries provided an update on its 2003 convocation, which will be Feb. 27-March 2 in Dallas. The theme will be "Connecting Church and Connecting World." Speakers will include Rader; Bishop James R. King Jr., Louisville, Ky.; the Rev. Mary Elizabeth Mullino Moore, director of the Program for Women in Theology and Ministry and professor at Candler School of Theology, Atlanta; the Rev. R. Grace Imathiu, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Green Bay, Wis.; the Rev. Barbara Day Miller, assistant dean of worship and lecturer in liturgical practices at Candler; and the Rev. Cynthia A. Wilson-Hollins, minister of music, worship and communications at Ben Hill United Methodist Church, Atlanta. Details are available at www.gbhem.org/deacons/convocation online.
The Section of Chaplains and Related Ministries heard reports from military chaplains, pastoral counselors and hospital chaplains on ministry responses to the Sept. 11 attacks. The section members also learned that 81 people have received scholarships to prepare for the ministry of pastoral care in specialized settings.
Division member Patrick Streiff presented a paper on the history and duties of the pastor. Legislation will be proposed for the 2004 General Conference restating the role of the deacon, elder and local pastor. Streiff is assigned to the Section of Elders and Local Pastors and serves as a part-time pastor and part-time director of the Center for Methodist Studies in the French Language in Neuchatel, Switzerland.
In other business, division members:
· Approved a new Native American Extension Course of Study program for the denomination's Michigan Area.
· Heard a report on the first gathering of the chairpeople of the Order of Deacon and Elder and the Fellowship of Local Pastors, held March 4-6.
· Awarded grants, through the Section on Deacons and Diaconal Ministries, totaling $20,000 to emerging ministry deacon projects.
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