EMC Credentials and Ministerial Education

Pastoral ministry is a challenging calling and one that should be entered into solemnly.  Our churches need devoted men and women in various roles of leadership, and the EMC stands ready to explore a partnership with you as a leader and minister.  If you are indeed interested in pursuing credentials with the EMC, we would love to talk with you!  

If you need additional Ministerial Education and prefer onsite learning at a brick-and-mortar institution, we have a list of pre-approved colleges and seminaries which you can explore.  If that is not your desire or is impossible for you, the EMC’s Haggard School of Ministry provides a quality alternative that is affordable and offers face-to-face education in a largely distance-learning context.  

The Haggard School of Ministry

The Haggard School is primarily established to be a more flexible and lower-cost option for those seeking credentials, but is also available to everyone who wishes to pursue a quality Biblical and practical education.  In fact, any EMC congregant 18 years of age or older (with a high school diploma or equivalent) may apply to simply audit HSOM courses for “Personal Enrichment.”  Please do note that taking courses or completing levels in HSOM does not guarantee approval of an EMC credential application.  EMC credentialing requires education,  but entrance in the Haggard School does not require a credential.

And again, if college or seminary training is not possible for you, The Haggard School of Ministry now offers alternative coursework necessary to achieve full Elders Orders in the EMC.  Persons pursuing ordination in the EMC through the Haggard School will need to satisfy the Local Preacher curriculum as well as the scope and sequence of classes required of Elders.

Full academic training is necessary for achieving ministerial status, but there are also ongoing requirements for Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and the Haggard School of Ministry and the EMC’s General Board of Ministerial Education set those standards and offer suggestions for achieving ongoing CEUs.  

All HSOM courses are taught at the undergraduate (college) level and may count for academic credit at Ohio Christian University.

The goals of the Haggard School are: 
• To provide academic courses that will enable ministerial candidates to gain proficiency in general education, Bible, theology, and pastoral ministry.
• To provide students with the Biblical, theological, and practical skills necessary to perform the ministerial tasks to which they have been called.
• To instill in candidates a commitment to Christ-like living.
• To inspire candidates to embrace John Wesley’s vision for world-wide evangelism, “The World, My Parish.”

Click here to download the HSOM General Catalog

Click here to fill out an application for the Haggard School of Ministry

To view an outline of the entire credentialing process, click here: Procedures for Persons Seeking EMC Credentials