Commissioning Service
The United Methodist Church offers several different paths for clergy service. Local Pastors do not have to complete seminary, but are appointed to serve in local churches and may administer sacraments in that church only. Deacons are ordained for specific ministries. Elders have completed seminary and are ordained as full members of the Conference.
Before becoming a full elder, candidates must complete a provisionary period between graduation and ordination. This process can take up to 7 years. Those who have completed the educational requirements to become an elder are Commissioned as a Provisional elder by the bishop.
During the conference, both our "outgoing" and "future" Associate Pastors were commissioned as Provisional Elders. Rev. Peter Jamieson (who has been appointed to Dennisville and South Dennis churches effective 7/1/11) and Rev. Kee Young Yang (who has been appointed to our church effective 7/1/11) were commissioned during the service on Thursday afternoon.
