I'm taking a short break from my series, “How To Have Faith,” to talk about an important event coming up in the life of our church and in my own life – my ordination!
The ordination process is long and confusing at times. For me, it began when I finished college and entered Union Theological Seminary in 1996. It typically takes three years to complete a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree, which includes coursework in biblical studies, church history, theology, ethics, world religions, field education (practice in ministry), and pastoral care. Because I was not raised a United Methodist [I became a Methodist in college], seminary was a time for me to discern in what setting and in what denomination God was calling me to do ministry. So it was not until I completed my M. Div. in 1999 that I officially began the candidacy process in the United Methodist Church.
I served as a staff member of several United Methodist Churches, doing children's ministry, youth ministry, and Christian Education as I continued with the candidacy process. I went through the process a bit more slowly than some because I wanted to give more time to Caleigh and Connor. After being certified as a candidate for ordination by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry, my next step was to be approved for commissioning as a probationary elder by the Board of Ordained Ministry. I was commissioned at the June 2004 session of the New York Annual Conference and then came to Trinity-Boscobel in July of that year.
[In the current ordination process in the United Methodist Church, being commissioned as a probationary elder, or “probationer,” confers on you the title “Reverend.” (Local pastors, who are licensed to serve a church but do not have a seminary degree, hold the title “Pastor.”) So being ordained won't give me the title “Rev.” since I already received that title in 2004.] What does being ordained mean, then?
It's sort of like a doctor who has finished residency. (In fact, probationers are actually referred to as “Residents in Ministry” by our Conference.) Or like a teacher who has earned tenure. After serving in full-time ministry for at least three years, probationers are evaluated once again by the Board of Ordained Ministry. I went before the Board in November 2007 and was approved to be ordained as an elder in full connection (along with 15 of my colleagues) at Annual Conference on Saturday, June 14 at 2:00 pm in the Arena of Hofstra University.
This is the culmination of a long process (12 years to be exact!). Trinity-Boscobel has been such an important part of the last stage of the process – my probationary period, or “residency,” if you will. I'm so thankful for the love and support I've received here, and it would mean a great deal to me to have your presence at the ordination service on June 14. I do hope you can come!
Shalom,
Rev. Melissa Boyer
