Theology, Orders, Practice, and Accountability
By Rev. Luan-Vu “Lui” Tran, Ph.D.
Pastoral ministry as a baptized vocation
In the Wesleyan tradition, all Christian ministry begins in baptism—the Church’s shared call to love, justice, witness, and service. Set-apart ministry (licensed and ordained) arises within this larger baptismal vocation and exists to equip it.
Theology and call: why the Church sets people apart
The early church set apart leaders through prayer and laying on of hands for preaching/teaching, ordering the community, administering the sacraments, and organizing service to the poor (Acts 6). United Methodists understand ordained ministry as a continuation of this apostolic pattern.
Purpose of ordination: to lead the people of God in Service, Word, Sacrament, Order, Compassion, and Justice—channeling grace and ordering mission.
The orders and forms of set-apart ministry
Elders (¶332)
Elders are ordained to a fourfold ministry of Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service, authorized to preach/teach, administer the sacraments, offer pastoral care, and order the church’s life for mission—serving in local churches and extension ministries.
Deacons (¶328)
Deacons are ordained to a lifetime ministry of Word, Service, Compassion, and Justice, connecting church and world; they teach, form disciples, lead worship with others, and (for the sake of extending mission) are authorized to preside at the sacraments as described in the Discipline.
Licensed Local Pastors (¶315)
With a bishop’s license, local pastors (and provisional elders) may perform all the duties of a pastor (¶340)—including baptism, Holy Communion, marriage (where civil law allows), burial, confirmation, and receiving members—within and while appointed to a particular charge or extension ministry; the license remains valid only so long as the appointment continues.
“Pastor” defined (¶339)
A pastor may be an elder, associate member, provisional elder, or local pastor approved by the clergy session; certain deacons may also be defined as pastors under the Discipline’s provisions.
Core practices: Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service (¶340)
Pastoral ministry lives in concrete practices:
- Word & ecclesial acts: preach, teach, lead worship; counsel; conduct marriages and funerals (with conscience protections regarding marriage).
- Sacrament: elders—and licensed local pastors in their appointments—administer baptism and Holy Communion; deacons preside as provided to extend mission.
- Order: pastors “order the life of the church” for mission—stewarding governance, supervision, and administration in love and justice.
- Service: ministry always points outward, forming a people sent in compassionate mission.
Appointments and itinerancy: how pastors are sent (¶¶337-344)
UMC clergy are appointed. Every elder in full connection “in good standing” is to be continued under appointment (barring specific leaves/changes), and licensed local pastors may be appointed as pastors in charge under stated conditions. Pastors may also be sent to extension ministries (chaplaincy, teaching, social service, campus ministry), remaining accountable to the annual conference. (¶334.1).
UMC clergy can be appointed to ecumenical shared ministries while remaining in the itineracy and accountable to the conference.
Accountability, effectiveness, and formation
- Covenant responsibilities of elders include availability for appointment, annual evaluation with PPRC and DS, evidence of continuing effectiveness, and growth through continuing education and formation.
- Evaluation (¶350): yearly DS-led evaluation (with PPRC input) for those in local churches; annual self-evaluation and supervisor evaluation for extension settings; processes are developed by the cabinet and BOM.
- Continuing education (¶351): lifelong learning and spiritual formation are required, with at least one week each year and one month once per quadrennium envisioned as professional formation leave.
- Mentoring: local pastors are supervised by a DS and assigned a clergy mentor while in Course of Study or seminary (¶317.4).
When effectiveness is persistently in question, the Discipline outlines supervisory conversations and corrective plans; failure to demonstrate vocational competence can initiate administrative location processes. (¶360).
Character and Ethics
The Church expects candidates and clergy to dedicate themselves to the highest ideals of the Christian life, exercising responsible self-control in personal habits, relationships, and sexuality—standards anchored in the Discipline’s classic statements on character and commitment (¶304.2).
The local church context: where pastoral ministry happens
The local church is the strategic base from which the Church meets the world; its function includes evangelism, nurture, worship, cooperation with other congregations, care for creation, and participation in worldwide mission. Pastors serve pastoral charges (one or more congregations) under the Discipline with a charge conference and appointed clergy.
Elders and deacons together: one ministry, distinct charisms
Pastoral ministry is collaborative. Elders provide sacramental/ordering leadership for the Church’s common life; deacons lead the Church’s servant ministry and connect congregations to the world, teaching, forming disciples, and (as provided) presiding at the sacraments to extend mission.
A pastoral rhythm: practical habits that sustain ministry
- Word: long-range preaching calendars; lectionary engagement; teaching that forms a biblical imagination.
- Sacrament: frequent, well-prepared Communion; robust baptismal preparation; hospitality at the font and table.
- Order: healthy staff/volunteer systems; transparent governance; metrics that serve mission (not vice versa).
- Service: community partnerships; justice ministries; diaconal collaboration.
- Care: regular visitation plans; crisis-response protocols; grief and marriage preparation ministries grounded in Discipline-shaped conscience.
- Formation: keep a personal rule of life; annual CE plan (¶351); regular spiritual direction or covenant group.
Pastors as stewards of grace and order
In United Methodism, pastoral ministry is baptismally grounded, connectionally sent, and covenantally accountable. Elders, deacons, and local pastors exist to equip the whole people of God—preaching the Word, administering the sacraments, ordering the Church’s life, and leading it into compassionate service. The Book of Discipline gives pastors not only boundaries but a framework for flourishing: call, appointment, effectiveness, learning, and character—so that Christ’s mission is carried faithfully in every place we’re sent.