Resources
Exploration
More Exploration resources will be shared here as the Design Team curates them.
“Guidebook” Event App
Guidebook is the official Exploration event app. It’s your guide for the event schedule (which you can personalize), access to speakers, sponsors, exhibitor information, and more. Connect and engage with other attendees through private messages and share photos, likes, and comments through the interactive social feed. Download Guidebook for Apple or Android before you arrive and start your exploration early. Event: Exploration 2024 // Passphrase: explorecalling24
Ministry in the UMC
“Ministry in the UMC” is a flyer charting various pathways within the UMC to respond to God’s call to leadership, lay or ordained. Read the sections to identify where your gifts and passions may align with current UM credentialing opportunities. This flyer is currently available in English but we are working on multiple translations.
Discernment Journal
Listen. Discern. Respond. is a journal from the Young Clergy Initiative offers over 80 unique, thought provoking exercises will help you sketch, pray, color, sing, scribble, study, ponder, observe, question, dream, and uncover what your purpose might be.
Vocational Discernment
Ministry of Flyers
The Ministry Of flyers are descriptions of what service looks like as a deacon, endorsed clergy, elder, or licensed local pastor: where they serve, how they serve, and who they serve. They also share first steps, educational standards, and next steps along the path for each. Each flyer is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, French, and Russian.
The Christian as Minister
The Christian as Minister is an introduction and explanation of the different types of ministry available for people considering God’s call to ministry in The United Methodist Church. This book is required reading for anyone considering the call to licensed or ordained ministry.
Ministry in the UMC
“Ministry in the UMC” is a flyer charting various pathways within the UMC to respond to God’s call to leadership, lay or ordained. Read the sections to identify where your gifts and passions may align with current UM credentialing opportunities. This flyer is currently available in English but we are working on multiple translations.
Discernment Journal
Listen. Discern. Respond. is a journal from the Young Clergy Initiative offers over 80 unique, thought provoking exercises will help you sketch, pray, color, sing, scribble, study, ponder, observe, question, dream, and uncover what your purpose might be.
Called Curriculum
Called is a curriculum resource from the Young Clergy Initiative that helps your community explore how to LISTEN for God’s voice, DISCERN what you’ve heard, and RESPOND faithfully at any age.
How is God Calling You To Ministry
There are many ways you can follow God’s call, but how can you tell where and in what capacity God is calling you to serve? The “How are You Being Called to Ministry” flyer is a creative flow chart to help guide discernment. This resource is shared by the Great Plains Annual Conference.
The Vocational Discernment Coordinator Network
If you’re doing the work of a Vocational Discernment Coordinator, join us for a time of connecting, celebrating one another, sharing ideas, and praying together in the midst of vocational discernment work. We have virtual check-ins on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October, and December.
Boards of Ordained Ministry
The Christian as Minister
The Christian as Minister is an introduction and explanation of the different types of ministry available for people considering God’s call to ministry in The United Methodist Church. This book is required reading for anyone considering the call to licensed or ordained ministry.
Answering the Call
Answering the Call (the candidacy guidebook) is the guidebook for the candidacy journey in The United Methodist Church. This book is available through your annual conference office. Contact your Vocational Discernment Coordinator for a copy.
Ministry of Flyers
The Ministry Of flyers are descriptions of what service looks like as a deacon, endorsed clergy, elder, or licensed local pastor: where they serve, how they serve, and who they serve. They also share first steps, educational standards, and next steps along the path for each. Each flyer is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, French, and Russian.