Forty-nine Participate in 2014 Licensing School

July 30, 2014

Local pastors as well as ministry candidates from around the Kentucky Annual Conference gathered the week of June 1st through the 7th at Lindsey Wilson College for the 2014 Licensing School. The school is a 6 1/2 day event where students learn many of the basic skills required to pastor a United Methodist Church. The school teaches students about many topics, including: pastoral self-care, boundaries, Wesleyan theology, United Methodist polity, Christian education, preaching, pastoral care, presiding in worship, leadership, and more. Students interact in a classroom environment during the day and then practice the skills they are learning during evening sessions. Evening sessions allow the students to preach a sermon to a small group and receive feedback. Students also form into teams to plan a worship service that the entire licensing school class participates in every evening.  

This year, 49 students participated in the school. Licensing School is a program implemented by the KAC Board of Ordained Ministry and is lead by Dr. John W. Hatton of Paintsville Mayo Memorial UMC and Rev. Debra Massengale of the Prestonsburg District. Additional faculty for this year’s school included Rev. Kevin Burney of KAC Ministerial Services, Dr. Brian Ebel of Revolution United Methodist Church in Louisville, and Rev. Gary Graves of Paris First United Methodist Church. 
 
The 2015 Licensing School will be at Kentucky Wesleyan College from May 31st through June 6th. If you are interested in attending the 2015 Licensing School, please communicate with your District Superintendent and your district Committee on Ministry.