If you think God has called you to explore ministry as a career then this page is for you!  We would love to meet with you and help you discern God's direction for your life.  We have resources available to prepare and equip you on this exciting pathway to ministry. If you have already made the decision to pursue ordination, please visit our page designed as a guide for seminary candidates.

So what are your next steps?

• Fill out the Explore Calling Information Form so we can learn more about your calling and how we can help navigate you on your journey.
• Order a free brochure and DVD set called Ordained Ministry in The United Methodist Church and we'll mail it to you! 
• Contact our Pathways to Ministry Coordinator when you are ready to meet with a pastor or lay leader to help you discover the right path for you!
• Discover your spiritual gifts that will equip you in ministry by completing this online Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool questionnaire developed by Ministry Matters. 
• Fill out the online Discernment Questions
• Explore our Resources for Discerning Candidates.
• Read our latest Newsletter.
• Explore our website links to the right for info on the ministry process, scholarships, internships, classes, groups, upcoming events, and more.
• Follow us on Facebook at "Pathways to Ministry at Resurrection."

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1. Where can I find past issues of the Pathways to Ministry Newsletter?

   You are in the right place!  Click on the links to past Newsletters below:

   Oct/Nov/Dec 2011

   September 2011

   August 2011

2. I have answered God's call to go into seminary. Where can I find information on "Next Steps" to becoming ordained?

   We have a page on our website just for seminary students!  Here you will find important contacts, a seminary handbook, scholarship and grant information and applications, and other resources designed to assist our seminary students.  You can also find this link in the bottom right corner of our Pathways website: www.cor.org/pathways.

3. Where can I go to seminary and how can I find scholarships so I can afford it?

   The United Methodist Church currently has 13 theological seminaries and many organizations that provide scholarships and loans to these students.  Be sure to also check our own Resurrection scholarships and tuition grants available to our church members.  Application is available online for several of them right here on this website.  See the scholarship link in the right column for more details.

4. I'd like to attend a Methodist college and am looking for scholarships. Are there any out there?

   Yes.  First of all there are lots of Methodist colleges and universities and most offer scholarship information on their websites.  Here at Resurrection we also offer Resurrection scholarships & grants, however, most are for seminary students at this time.  But please refer to our growing list of resources offering undergraduate scholarships to students pursuing ministry as a career or attending Methodist related universities.

5. I'm still in high school but think I may want a career in ministry. What can I do now to find out more?

   Here at Resurrection we offer a program just for high school students called MAC Track (Ministry as a Career).  This group meets regularly to offer students a realistic view of ministry, develop leadership through experiential learning with other students with similar goals to discern God's direction for their lives.

   MAC Track has their own blog - a place for students, adults and churches to learn more about ministry as a career. Click here to check it out!
   

    

6. Can I have a career in ministry without going to seminary?

   Absolutely!  Remember, all Christians are ministers. All are called to service.  In the United Methodist Church there are basically two paths into ministry: 

   1. Clergy - are classified as ordained (deacons & elders) or non-ordained
       (licensed local pastors) but both require a seminary education. 

   2. Laity - are volunteer or paid church members called to serve with
       excellence by pursuing specialized training or certification in specific
       areas of ministry such as Christian education, music, evangelism,
       youth ministry, older adult ministry, retreat ministry, spiritual formation,
       church communications, and church business administration.  Laity do
       not require a seminary education. However they require classes and
       training. 

   
   Popular Laity classes:

   • Congregational Care Minister
   • Lay Speaker (Take 1 basic class at a cost of $50)
   • Certified Lay Speaker (Take 1 basic plus 1 additional class - $50 each)