Recommendation of the Board of Ordained Ministry
Yesterday I met with the Kansas West Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and received a recommendation to the clergy session of the Annual Conference for election to probationary membership and commissioning. This is great news and I am excited!
As a United Methodist, this is an important step moving toward ordination as an elder within the denomination. From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2004 (a guide and order for life together as United Methodists).
Probationary members are on trial in preparation for membership in full connection in the annual conference as deacons or elder. They are on probation as to character, servant leadership, and effectiveness in ministry.
During the time of probation, the probationary member gets the opportunity to get to know the conference better and the members of the conference have the opportunity to get to know the probationary member better. Good times. :-)
More on this process later...