DBMD candidate Resources
Ministerial students will find that they have several options to complete requirements for credentials includingattending one of our Wesleyan Colleges/Universities, approved seminaries, FLAME, district extension or correspondence courses. Hundreds of people are being called to serve the Kingdom as ministers of the Gospel. Many of them are second-career, non-traditional students who are looking for accessible ways to complete their educational requirements. Click HERE to explore several pathways available to complete your academic training for credentialing in The Wesleyan Church.
candidate paperwork
Initial Steps
- LBA Recommendation Form
- DBMD #1 Personal Data Inventory
- DBMD #2 Initial References (4 are needed)
- Background Check Authorization Form. If a candidate has had a recent background check, let the district office know.
- Candidate provides a recent credit report
- Register and get access to the Ministerial Student Portal
- Meet with the DBMD Committee for an initial interview. Candidates will meet with the DBMB Committee annually.
Other Requirements
- DBMD #3 (complete annually)
- Annual Service Report (complete annually)
- Psych Evaluation
Submitting your Transcripts
To have your college/seminary official transcripts submitted to Education & Clergy Development for evaluation, you may have them mailed from the school to:
Education & Clergy Development
13300 Olio Rd, Suite 100
Fishers, IN 46037
Or E-mailed from the school to:
Education@wesleyan.org
Supervised ministry
The education requirement of Supervised Ministry (the course) for those not completing it through a Wesleyan University or Approved Seminary or some other approved means are is no longer offered through ECD (Education and Clergy Development). The Supervised Ministry Course is now offered through Kingswood Extended with updated curriculum. Candidate’s may register with KX for credit via assessment of prior experience or as a year-long course. Questions about the course can be sent to: extended@kingswood.edu. Registration can be found HERE.
RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
GracePoint (2 Year)- https://www.gracepointwesleyan.org/residency.html
FREQUENTLY asked questions
How do I submit my transcripts for evaluation for ministerial education credit? Courses from accredited institutions or denominational course of study programs may be used to grant credit for ordination requirements. Have your official transcripts emailed to education@wesleyan.org or mailed to: Education and Clergy Development, 13300 Olio Rd., Fishers, IN 46031. We require the first and last submissions from an institution to be official transcripts, directly from the school. While attending, periodic submissions may be unofficial, sent by the student. Credits will be posted on ministerial preparation transcripts and can be viewed online at your record in the Student Portal.
Have my transcripts been received and reviewed? Check on the Student Portal for credits posted. You should receive information about your student portal access when you enrolled as a student. If you don’t remember that, you can log in here and choose forgot password. Your username will be the e-mail you used when you enrolled. If you don’t see expected credits, email an inquiry to education@wesleyan.org.
Why was credit not granted from my school transcript? Courses must receive a grade of C or better to be granted credit on your ministerial student transcript. For other inquiries, you may email education@wesleyan.org. ECD may ask you to send a course description or syllabus for the course in question. This will help in any reconsideration of an evaluation. We will respond as soon as we are able.
Why is my course grade not showing on my ECD transcript? Allow 3 – 4 weeks after a course is completed unless a specific request for expedited grading had been requested. Then contact the school or professor first to confirm submission of the grade. Contact ECD if a grade was submitted but has not been posted.
After I complete my licensing or ordination requirements, how long will it take for ECD to report to my district? When we receive grades from a class you have completed, we normally record those within 3-4 days. When a certification date is entered, the information will be automatically sent to your district. This status is also available online to you and your district immediately upon processing.
Will Education and Clergy Development periodically send me a copy of my ministerial education transcript? No. Ministerial Preparation transcripts are available online at the Student Portal
How do I get credit for the Supervised Ministry requirement? The education requirement of Supervised Ministry (the course) for those not completing it through a Wesleyan University or Approved Seminary or some other approved means are is no longer offered through ECD (Education and Clergy Development). The Supervised Ministry Course is now offered through Kingswood Extended with updated curriculum. Candidate’s may register with KX for credit via assessment of prior experience or as a year-long course. Questions about the course can be sent to: extended@kingswood.edu. Registration can be found HERE.
I have ministry experience. Can I get credit for this? Yes, you may be able to get credit for ministry experience/independent study. It’s called “Credit by Portfolio.” You can download the information packet for this on the Pathways to Ministry page, found HERE.
Click HERE for more frequently asked questions.
committees
ORDINATION COUNCIL
Chairman Rev. Isaac Smith, Rev. Cheryl Arguello, Rev. Paul Baughman, Melodie DeVel, Rev. Todd Lynch, Rev. Wayne Mueller, Secretary Carrie Pohlen, Rev. David Rannabargar, Rev. Jessica Schmerse, Rev. Bob Solon, Rev. Marc Sundstrom
CHAIRMAN
Katy Kinnan
EAST TEAM
Rev. Marc Sundstrom - Chairman (2025), Reed DeVries (2024), Rev. Serenity Miller (2025), Carrie Pohlen (2024), Rev. Steph Tague (2025)
CENTRAL TEAM
Rev. Todd Lynch - Chairman (2025), Rev. Cheryl Arguello (2025), Rev. Paul Baughman (2024), Rev. Jamie Groneberg (2024), Stephen Martin (2025)
WEST TEAM
Rev. Jessica Schmerse - Chairman (2025), Rev. Mike Cline (2025), Chris Hayes (2024), Rev. Malloree Norris (2025), Rev. David Rannabargar (2024)
IA/MN TEAM
Rev. Bob Solon - Chairman (2025), Melodie DeVel (2024), Mitchell Jenkins (2024), Rev. Jennifer Tillman (2025), John Thomas (2024)
ordination paperwork
(4 references needed from the District Superintendent, Senior Pastor, Local Board Vice-Chair, Local Board member)
- DBMD #5 Ordination Application
- Bio Information
- Ordination Interview (If married, your spouse is expected to be at the interview.)
transfers
- The transfer process has changed! Click on the link HERE for the updated transfer instructions for licensed and ordained ministers.
- Ministerial Students that are requesting a transfer: Email the sending district, receiving district and emailing requesting to be transferred. Include where you're moving, your new address, the church you are transferring to and your new staff position, if applicable.
- Application-Minister Transferring to The Wesleyan Church
BDMD COmmittee
resources
Contact the district office for the following:
- Best Practices
- DBMD Response Form
- Interview Guide
For questions, contact the district office at info@northwestdistrict.org.