Thanks to Ministry Shares from local churches, the Ministerial Education Fund helps further the education of pastoral leaders within the Michigan Conference. This article shares important updates and a key date for reimbursement for student loans.
REV. SUSAN HITTS
Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry
The Board of Ordained Ministry celebrates the quality clergy in the Michigan Conference. We appreciate all the hard work and education it takes to be credentialed clergy in The United Methodist Church. For that reason, we prioritize using Ministerial Education Fund dollars to help further the education of clergy at various levels of their professional journey.
Where do Ministerial Education Fund dollars come from? They originate from the Ministry Shares that each church pays as part of our connection. The funds are used to support United Methodist education in many ways. Specifically, 25% of these funds stay within the annual conference where they are collected so that the Board of Ordained Ministry can educate clergy. That means that when each church pays its Ministry Shares, dollars are combined with others to further the education of current clergy and plant seeds for the future of United Methodism here in Michigan and around the world. Thank you for your support!
Click to review the 2024 Annual Report and learn more about where your Ministry Shares go.
Currently, certified candidates for ordained ministry who will serve in the Michigan Conference have access to $15,000 throughout their seminary program. Licensed local pastors in the Course of Study process have their courses paid for by the Board of Ordained Ministry (once per course). Furthermore, the Ministerial Education Fund supports clergy in enhancing their skills through professional education, conference-required training to advance the knowledge of all clergy, and some requirements to move on in clergy relationship with the conference.
Previously, the board offered up to $15,000 in reimbursements for student loans if the clergy person did not previously receive seminary scholarships. This was our way of ensuring that clergy that may have been missed as the two Michigan annual conferences became one were still able to receive the financial benefit of the funds, lowering the cost of a seminary degree. However, this will be phased out this year, with the final date being June 30, 2025. This is so the board can continue to focus on financing the future of our conference’s ministry. Therefore, if you think you may be eligible for this repayment, contact us before that date.
So, what does the future hold? Well, the Board of Ordained Ministry seeks to have full pulpits, educated clergy, and diminished personal debt for those answering their call to professional ministry. Thus, we are using Ministerial Education Funds to lower the onboarding cost for beginning your ministry journey. We hope this will result in low or no-cost options for those called to ministry as they attend the Candidacy Summit and go to License to Preach School. These subsidies may be what brings you or your next pastor into the pulpit.
As a recently ordained clergywoman, I had the call to ministry and the time to give, but money was tight. This was especially true before I was under appointments to serve the church. However, I have benefited from cost assistance through the subsidizing of some of the onboarding costs and scholarships through the Ministerial Education Fund, helping to lower my seminary costs. As the treasurer of the Board of Ordained Ministry, I am passionate about doing the same for others. If you have any questions, please email me at susanhitts@gmail.com.
May God bless those exploring a ministry call. The generosity of the churches paying their Ministry Shares just made this process a little easier. Thanks for your part in the process as you respond to the call to serve in professional ministry or as you feel led to support others by giving to the Ministerial Education Fund through your Ministry Shares. Your faithfulness makes a difference!
Last Updated on March 26, 2025