Categories of Apprentice Minister.--Upon satisfactory completion of the requirements of ¶ 308, the district Committee on Ordained Ministry shall attest to the completion of the prescribed studies to the candidates and the Board of Ordained Ministry, and they shall be listed in the conference journal as eligible to be appointed as apprentice ministers. In recommending to the Annual Conference those who have met the requirements to serve as apprentice ministers for the ensuing year, the Board of Ordained Ministry shall classify them in two categories with educational and other requirements of their category. Any person who fails to meet these requirements shall be discontinued as an apprentice minister. The categories shall be defined as follows:
1. Full-time Apprentice Ministers.--Those eligible to be appointed full-time apprentice ministers are persons (a) who may devote their entire vocational time to the ministry to which they are appointed; (b) who receive in cash support per annum from all church sources a sum equal to or larger than the minimum equitable compensation established for full-time apprentice ministers; (c) who, unless they have completed the requirements for certification, shall complete two courses per year in a course of study school or the correspondence curriculum prescribed by the Division of Ordained Ministry; (d) who, when they have completed the educational requirements for certification, are involved in continuing education; (e) who shall not be enrolled as full-time students in any school.
2. Part-time Apprentice Ministers.--Those eligible to be appointed as part-time apprentice ministers are persons (a) who have met the provisions of ¶ 308; (b) who do not devote their entire time to the ministry to which they are appointed; or (c) do not receive in cash support per annum from all church sources a sum equal to or larger than the minimum equitable compensation established by the annual conference for full-time apprentice ministers; and (d) who, unless they have completed the requirements for certification, shall complete two courses per year in a course of study school or the correspondence curriculum prescribed by the Division of Ordained Ministry.
3. Upon recommendation of the Board of Ordained Ministry, the clergy members in full connection may vote approval annually for students from other denominations enrolled in a school of theology listed by the University Senate to serve as apprentice ministers for the ensuing year under the direction of the district superintendent; provided that they shall indicate to the satisfaction of the Board of Ordained Ministry their agreement to support and maintain the doctrine and polity of The United Methodist Church while under appointment.
4. Apprentice ministers may serve on any board, commission, or committee of the Annual Conference, except the Board of Ordained Ministry and Board of Trustees. They shall not be eligible for election as delegates to the General, jurisdictional, or central conference.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22978-MN-309-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference