The License to Preach School is an opportunity to grow personally and professionally, to share a common journey of faith, and be challenged in ministry. In order to participate in the school you need to be recommended by your district superintendent. The majority of the people who attend the school already have an appointment to a local church or they will be appointed during the calendar year. By no means does coming to the school guarantee anyone an appointment.

The 2017 school will be held Thursday evening, April 20, 2017 through Friday, April 28, at Manidokan Lodge, near Harper's Ferry.

Enrollment Application

Whether you are registering online and paying by credit card or check, you will still need to complete the paper enrollment application form, have it signed by your District Superintendent and mailed to: The Baltimore-Washington Conference UMC, Attn: Rev. John Nupp, Director, Center for Clergy Excellence, 11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759 by April 10th.

» Download the enrollment application and information packet.

The deadline to register is April 10.

Register online

What you need to know and do before attending the 2017 School

General Information

Check-in and arrival are on Thursday, April 20, starting at 4:00pm; supper is available. The required orientation session is on Thursday evening at 6:30 pm. Participants are expected to be present and engaged for the entire school.

Schedule for the school will be emailed to enrollees as soon as possible after registration.

Meals will be provided in the Dining Hall. Snacks are not provided so you may wish to bring some. 

Dress is very casual.

Accommodations will be in the Lodge; most beds are bunk beds. The lodge offers 8 bedrooms with private bathrooms. Two rooms are wheelchair accessible and sleep three people; four rooms sleep four people, and two rooms sleep five people.  Each lodge has a large meeting room and snack area. Due to limited space it is highly unlikely that students will have single accommodations. Beds have a wooden platform with a mattress on top. Roommates will be selected at check in. You will need to provide your own linens (single sheets, blanket, pillows, towels, etc.) and toiletries, such as soap.

Attendance is required at all sessions, including the preaching practicum, in order for a certificate of completion to be issued.

Devotions will begin the day each day except Sunday. Volunteers will be asked to sign up at check in to lead the 30-minute devotional time. A list of area churches will be provided where students can worship on Sunday.

Required Texts

You are to bring with you the following books; they will not be available on site. They can all be purchased at Cokesbury, and used copies of most can be found on line. Also, feel free to borrow them from others who have been to the school. The Discipline should be available to download from Cokesbury.

References
The United Methodist Book of Worship
The United Methodist Hymnal
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2016
The New Interpreter’s Study Bible (NRSV)

Text Books
The following required texts are sold as a bundle and can be ordered from Cokesbury at a special price ($44.99) for Local Pastor License School students. To receive this special price, you must order from Cokesbury using ISBN number 9780687654826.

Worshipping with United Methodists, Hoyt Hickman
From Pew to Pulpit, Clifton F. Guthrie
Administration in the Small Membership Church, John Tyson
Christian Education in the Small Membership Church, Karen Tye
Pastoral Care in the Small Membership Church, James J. Killen, Jr.

Additional Required Texts
Belief Matters, Charles Yrigoyen
Transforming Evangelism: The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith, Henry H. Knight III & F. Douglas Powe, Jr.
United Methodists and the Sacraments, Gayle Felton

Before Arriving: Scan the required texts listed above and bring them with you.

Preaching Practicum

Preaching Practicum: May 20

• You will receive instruction in exegesis and sermon preparation at the school.
• When you return home, you are to prepare a written exegesis of one of four assigned texts, which will be given to you at the school. You are then to prepare a sermon based on one (or more) of those texts. (If you choose to preach on more than one text, you must provide a written exegesis for each text.)
• You will deliver the sermon on Saturday, May 20 starting at 9:00 am at a location to be announced. You will receive feedback on your sermon. Bring your exegesis with you to this preaching event.
• This is a required part of the school.

If you have questions, contract Rev. John Nupp at or call 800-492-2525 ext. 471, or Debbie Albrecht at 410-309-3450.