Eastern Mennonite Seminary shares a special relationship with The United Methodist Church (UMC) in theological education, having been . EMS is approved by the church’s UMC University Senate for the training of candidates for pursuing ordination and in 2014 received the good news of renewed quadrennial approval. A significant number of United Methodist students are enrolled at EMS and will seek to be ordained.The United Methodist Church as elders and deacons. Up to 20% of the EMS student body is composed of UM students, and up to 100% scholarships are available for United Methodist students. EMS maintains a thriving UM ethos within its learning community, and shares the UMC’s strong commitments to peacebuilding and principles of social justice.
The UMC maintains close contact with its students at EMS through classes in United Methodist studies and by frequent on-campus visits from United Methodist UMC representatives such as the Harrisonburg District Superintendent, the Director of Ministerial Services of leaders from the Center for Clergy Excellence of the Virginia United Methodist Conference, the Bishop of the Virginia Conference, and a variety of personnel from other conferences.To strengthen these relationships EMS made two major moves. First, and leaders from the West Virginia Conference and other conferences.
As part of seminary field education, UM students typically serve either as licensed local pastors of UMC congregations or through internships in local UM churches as seminarians or lay members. Virginia Conference students are encouraged to complete Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training while in seminary, conveniently fulfilling this requirement through EMS’s own CPE program – as EMS is one of only six theological seminaries in the U.S. with its own fully accredited CPE program.
UM faculty at EMS make significant contributions to the seminary curriculum and learning community. Dr. David Evans, Assistant Associate Professor of History , Mission, Intercultural, and Interfaith Studies, is a member of the United Methodist Church. Although Evans’ teaching and scholarship focus more broadly than on United Methodist resources, he also teaches courses required by United Methodist ordination and is cognizant of United Methodist perspectives in faculty and seminary community life conversations.
Second, EMS has established a partnership with Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC, through which a significant number of United Methodist courses are provided to EMS students, sometimes on the Wesley campus and often on the EMS campus or online. Wesley also provides a part-time United Methodist advisor. The United Methodist advisor and EMS deans provide liaison to Wesley, the Virginia Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and the Office of Ministerial Services as follows:
A. Educational and training needs of the board of ordained ministry
- Oversight or provision of courses related to United Methodist history, doctrine, polity evangelism, mission and worship;
- Support for persons preparing for ordination in the UMC;
- Training and continuing theological education for the orders of elder and deacon.
B. Relational ties with office of ministerial services of the Virginia Conference
- Develop lines of communication and support for persons seeking ordination in the UMC
- Provide linkage with Conference Board of Ordained Ministry for information and interpretation of the EMS program with UMC students.
The UM adviser, oversees or implements such activities as:
- Teaching or arranging for provision of UMC classes required by the January 27, 2011 policy approved by the United Methodist Senate;
- Relating to and mentoring UMC students;
- Contributing to a thriving UM ethos at EMS including appreciation for the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church;
- Consulting with EMS faculty and staff on issues relating to UMC students;
- Consulting with other Wesley or EMS faculty who teach UM courses.
John Wesley Partners, a giving opportunity to support Methodist students at EMU, also undergirds EMS services on behalf of Methodist studentsand Intercultural Studies, provides visionary teaching and leadership, and his research areas include Wesleyan-Methodist studies. Dr. Evans has taught UM history, doctrine and polity courses at EMS since 2012 and serves as the Director of Seminary Intercultural Programs. EMS also benefits from the leadership of Dr. Courtney Joyner, a former UMC deacon, who is the Director of Mentored Ministry and Instructor of Formation at EMS. These faculty members advise and mentor students preparing for ordination in the UMC. In addition to UM Studies courses, EMS regularly offers courses taught by qualified faculty in evangelism, mission, and worship. This provides essential training and continuing theological education for persons in the UMC orders of elder and deacon.