Ministerial Students

Exploring the Call

We are excited about what God is doing in and through you! Read the Guide to Exploring the Call, a resource from The Wesleyan Church that explains the ordination journey. The first section will help you prayerfully process what you sense God may be calling you to, and the later sections outline the specific steps toward ordination. This infographic that provides a helpful overview of the entire process.

A Word of Welcome

It is so encouraging to hear that you sense God’s call into full-time Christian ministry as an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church. This is no small thing. It is a calling that should be discerned with prayer, thoughtful reflection, and the guidance of your local pastor and trusted spiritual mentors.

Please take three minutes to view this welcome and overview video:
https://youtu.be/b9Z3x_i6t0c
(This video was created by our former DBMD Chair, Rev. Steve Colaw, and provides a helpful introduction to the DBMD process.)

You are beginning a journey that will be both more challenging and more rewarding than you can imagine. It will call you to rely deeply on the power of the risen Christ and on the support of your church family. While the road ahead requires dedication and hard work, it is a journey well worth the cost—one that leads to humble, servant leadership within the Body of Christ. Through ordination, you step into a unique role of shepherding God’s people under the authority of the Great Shepherd, joining in His work of bringing the Kingdom of God more fully into our world.

The purpose of this welcome packet is to help you understand what this journey entails and to provide a clear picture of the process ahead. It is important at the outset to understand both what will be expected of you and what you can expect from the District Board of Ministerial Development (DBMD). Several of the documents you need to complete to begin the process are included on this page.

As you discern a life of pastoral ministry, the DBMD is here to help you confirm and clarify your call. Our role is to prayerfully guide, challenge, correct, encourage, and equip you for ministry in the local church. We will help you identify your gifts and strengths, as well as areas for growth. Your role is to “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

In addition to meeting with you annually to review your progress, the DBMD will assist you in establishing a mentoring relationship with a local Wesleyan pastor. This mentoring relationship is essential for gaining practical ministry experience, developing healthy rhythms of soul care, and remaining theologically grounded in the Wesleyan tradition.

The DBMD will also help facilitate communication with the Department of Education and Clergy Development (ECD) at Wesleyan World Headquarters to ensure your academic progress remains current and properly documented.

Getting Started: Your Next Steps

To begin the process, please complete the following steps:

• Local Board of Administration (LBA) Recommendation
  Meet with your local pastor to discuss your call to ministry. You will need a recommendation from your Local Board of Administration. An LBA Recommendation form is included, or the LBA may submit a letter of recommendation.

• DBMD Form #1
  Complete DBMD Form #1. This form provides your basic information, background, testimony, and a brief summary of your call to ministry. The form may be completed online or using the fillable Microsoft Word document. Once completed, email the form to the Tri-State District office administrator, Rev. Belinda Selfridge, at belinda@tsdwc.org. This form will help you and the DBMD prepare for your initial interview.

• DBMD Form #2 (References)
  Complete the top portion of DBMD Form #2 and distribute it to three individuals:

  • Your local church pastor

  • A member of your local church board

  • One additional individual who knows you well and can provide an accurate reference

• Once completed, each individual should email the form directly to belinda@tsdwc.org.

• Enroll with Education & Clergy Development
  Enroll online at:
  https://www.wesleyan.org/ecd/ordination-and-credentialing/pursue 

(On the right hand side of the page, select “Enroll as a Ministerial Student”)

• Submit Academic Transcripts
  Request official transcripts from your educational institution(s) and have them sent to the Education and Clergy Development office.
  Transcripts may be emailed to education@wesleyan.org or mailed to:
  Education and Clergy Development
  13300 Olio Rd.
  Fishers, IN 46031
  Official transcripts are required for the first and final submissions from each institution. Questions regarding transcripts may be directed to Michelle Wood at woodm@wesleyan.org or (317) 774-7939.

• Background Check
  Complete the background check application using the link below and submit payment ($15.00):
  https://www.ministryopportunities.org/Application.aspx?oid=9412
  Please email your receipt to belinda@tsdwc.org. The district will reimburse you for this expense.

• Schedule Your Initial DBMD Meeting
  Sign up for your initial DBMD meeting, scheduled for the spring.

Final Encouragement

We are thrilled that you have chosen to begin the process of pursuing ordained ministry within The Wesleyan Church. Please know that we are committed to walking with you every step of the way. If you have any questions or need clarification, do not hesitate to reach out.

Serving Him,
Rev. Max Colaw macolaw@tsdwc.org
Chairman, Tri-State District Board of Ministerial Development

We are glad to have you and your family as part of the Tri-State District!

Questions? Contact:

Rev. Belinda Selfridge
Email: belinda@tsdwc.org
Office: (918) 333-3404