For lay leaders and members who feel God's call to specialized ministry, S.T.E.M. offers the Licensed Ministry Program. The LMP is designed to help students discern their own gifts for ministry, develop and deepen their own theology, and gain practical skills for pastoral ministry.

A call to ministry requires discernment both by the individual, the local church, and the wider church. Those interested in Licensed Ministry should meet with their pastor and with the appropriate authorizing body before applying to the S.T.E.M. LMP.  Authorizing bodies are:  for UCC, your Association's Committee on Church and Ministry; for DOC, the Regional Commission on Ministry.

The S.T.E.M. LMP includes 3 years of course work following the Core Program, supervised practice in ministry, and written requirements.

YEAR A:               2006
         Jan:             Issues in Contemporary Theology
         Mar:             Bible & Interpretation I
         May:            Worship and Sacraments
         Sep:             Preaching I
         Oct:             Pastoral Care
         Nov:             Christian Education

YEAR B:               2007
         Jan:              Mission
         Mar:             Bible & interpretation II
         May              Worship & Sacraments II
         Sep:             Preaching II
         Oct:             Administration
         Nov:             Conflict Management &
                            Family Systems

 

YEAR C:               2008
         Jan:             Ethics
         Mar:             Church History
         May:            UCC History and Polity
         Sep:             DOC History and Polity
         Oct:             Self-Care

         Nov:             Theology of Ministry

Entrance Requirements for the LMP include:

Students in the LMP are assigned a pastoral mentor.  In addition to the 18 courses above, the LMP requires completion and review of written work, including sermons, funerals, verbatims, weddings, and papers on your theology, the history and polity of your denomination, and your understanding of ministry. Written work is designed to help you prepare for the authorization process in your denomination.

Graduates receive a certificate of recognition for completing the program.

NOTE: S.T.E.M. offers training only. Actual licensure is the SOLE prerogative of the authorizing bodies of our denominations. Completion of the S.T.E.M. Licensed Ministry Program does NOT guarantee licensure. Please contact the appropriate authorizing body for their process and requirements for licensure.