I have received and read my commissioning packet from my Board of Ordained Ministry. It is a frightening thing. I have under three months to write about 80-90 pages of text, not to speak of all the forms, examinations, and transcripts that must be generated.
The Florida Conference has completely depleted its supply of candidacy mentors, and so I have none, at the moment. That is highly unlikely to change before I submit my packet to DCOM in April, and BOOM in October.
To any readers who have served on Boards of Ordained Ministry in recent years or are currently serving as candidacy mentors: would you be willing to read and critique part (or all) of my commissioning paperwork if I can get it to you within sixty days?
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
This post will stay at the top until January 31. Scroll down for updates.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
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18 comments:
God Bless.
I had from Nov 11 to Jan 11 to do my papers. Two months. I wrote 148 pages, preached and recorded a sermon, wrote a 6 week Bible Study. I couldn't believe all that writing.
Board Interviews are March 11-12. I'm waiting.
It was all the "little stuff" in addition that took time too. Physical, transcripts etc. I would suggest a head start on that stuff -- I didn't realize it would be a 1 1/2 month wait to get a physical....
I didn't have a mentor either.
I'm not on the board or a mentor, but I am an Elder in full connection and would be willing to read your materials.
John,
I have been certified as a mentor for Cal-Pac, have finished my papers recently, and helped with both my sister and wife as they have gone through commissioning.
Peace,
pJohn,
I'm a certified clergy and candidacy mentor in the IA Conference and I'd be glad to help you out. My present mentee has another year of classes before he has to do his paperwork, so I'm available.
Maybe you should think twice before you choose a radical like me to give you feedback, though.
My advice John - answer the questions simply and succinctly, without trying to compose theological masterpieces for each one. Like I told my friend Adam over and over and over again, just anser the damn question!
But do be sure to spell check.
"AnsWer"
Wow! 80-90 pages! 148 pages! You are talking about the disciplinary questions for probationary membership in Par. 324.9, right?
Our annual conference limits answers to those questions to 20-30 typed, double-spaced pages and each question must start on a new page. I think that's a little restrictive, but I'm not sure I would want to read quite that much!
But let me know if I can help. I'm a candidacy mentor and on the BOM (local pastors) in the North Texas Annual Conference.
P.S. Our conference also requires answers to 2 additional questions:
1) What is the UM understanding of the process of salvation?
2) What is your understanding of itinerant ministry?
BOOM?
Now that's a frightening acronym. God bless--
Looks like you got a whole bunch of folks who want to help and I'd be happy to do what I can too.
I'd also offer an additional piece tp the advice Andy B gave: Answer the damn question they ask. Don't try to answer a question they didn't ask.
Loving Life!
Jedi Pastor Ken
I'm certifiable, if that will help.
With that said, I must say that I like Andy's perspective: don't try to baffle them with B/S. From my own perspective, I've very much enjoyed the theological and doctrinal challenges you've posted on this blog. For my money, I think you'll do very well.
Good luck.
Thanks, all. I'll respond via e-mail.
Hey John - I'd love to help too, add me in.
The lack of a mentor is a disgrace (I'm 5 years in the process and just now got one). How is it that Elders have a choice about mentoring candidates? Certification for mentoring should be required just like Sexual Ethics Training, etc.
OK- now I see it's not just a problem in Illinois. I have not had a mentor in over a year and have my DCOM meeting this morning. I've been licensed local pastor since September and have no idea if or when I'll have a mentor. Makes it dificult to turn in those mentor's reports...
Praying for you- Looks like there are a lot of folks willing to help you out!
John, why not post your answers online?
john, i'll read your papers and ask a lot of questions. like, "what does this word mean?"
is that helpful? anything for a friend. &:~D
John, I'm just now tuning in. I don't meet the requirements (Mentor or BOM member), but I am an ordained minister in the Mississippi Conference. You seem to have plenty of help here, but if you need one more set of eyes, I'll be happy to help in any way I can. I feel like you'd do the same for me.
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