Arkansas

Residency in Ministry

A Program of the Arkansas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry

Who is in Residency & the RIM program?
Commissioned provisional elders and deacons who

have completed all educational requirements,
received a full time appointment, and
are seeking full membership and ordination in the Arkansas Conference

What are the goals and expectations of the RIM program?
The goals of the RIM program are to:

Provide the BOM with the evaluative tools necessary to gauge the effectiveness of provisional members seeking ordination and full connection
Assist provisional members in their transition into ministry
Create opportunities for peer group learning and support among the residents

It is clear from studies about clergy life that early patterns and attitudes become basic for a person’s self-confidence and view of his/her ministry. Your way of understanding your vocation as a United Methodist Minister is created during this time, and research shows that it will last during the whole of your ministry. This is the time that you set habits, styles, and inclinations for a lifetime of ministry. Through the Residency Committee, clergy mentors, and covenant peer groups, the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) offers provisional ministers a curriculum that supports the practice and work of their ministry as servant leaders, to contemplate the grounding of ordained ministry, and understand the covenant ministry in the life of the Arkansas Conference of the UMC. Successful completion of this process is a requirement for ordination as a deacon or elder in full connection in the Arkansas Conference. In accordance with recent and existing General Conference decisions, residency is a 2-8 year process. The BOM expects that the average length of residency will be 3 years, but the new RIM process is not designed with a 2-year or 3-year "default" calendar. Instead, the process allows flexibility so that you, the resident, are assisted with the tools you need to transition into effective ministry as an ordained United Methodist minister in full connection. Also, it will allow the people of the BOM to have the evaluative tools we need to assess your effectiveness in ministry. Two years of effective ministry in a single appointment as a Resident is the minimum time required to complete the Arkansas Conference Residency Process. It is the responsibility of the Resident to complete assignments and be present at meetings and interviews.

What are the first steps?

For those residents new and currently a part of the RIM program, there is a residency retreat co-sponsored by the BOM RIM program and Connected-In-Christ each July at Subiaco Retreat Center near Paris Arkansas . There you will receive your RIM handbook and a DVD that explains the RIM process to your PPRC/SPRC. It is strongly suggested that you view this DVD with them (and your senior pastor, if applicable) early in your tenure.

The RIM program is comprised of three primary elements:

A multi-day summer retreat organized in partnership with Connected In Christ
A requirement is attendance at an annual summer retreat, a time of learning and spiritual/vocational formation and discernment.
Small residency Covenant Peer Groups (5-7 residents + 2 ordained mentor/facilitators) that will meet 6-7 times a year
One purpose of the Residency Process of the Arkansas Annual Conference is to surround each Residency Member with supportive caring groups. This summer, each resident will be assigned to a CPG “to support the practice and work of their ministry as servant leaders, to contemplate the grounding of ordained ministry, and to understand covenant ministry in the life of the conference” (2008 Discipline, ¶326).
Assignments and annual Board of Ordained Ministry Interviews
By January 31 of each year, materials are due to the Board of Ordained Ministry Secretary in preparation for the yearly interview/retreat with the BOM. The BOM will assign sermons to be preached, Bible study outlines, ministry plans, theological and ecclesiological questions to be answered, and case studies to be analyzed. Annual evaluations from a variety of sources is included. In the spring, residents meet with the BOM for interviews.