In The United Methodist Church, there are several ways in which a person may serve in specialized ministry. As part of the discernment process, each person needs to prayerfully consider which form of ministry or vocation they are best suited to live out. Below are the various specialized ministries that are understood to be credentialed and result in a lay or clergy relationship with the annual conference. Please see the Discipline paragraph for a fuller description of each specialized ministry.

Various specialized ministries that are understood to be credentialed and result in a lay or clergy relationship with the annual conference include:

• Lay Ministry
  • Certified Lay Minister (¶ 268)
• Licensed Minister
  • Local Pastor (¶ 315- ¶ 320)
  • Associate Member (¶ 321 - ¶ 322)
• Ordained Ministry
  • Deacon (¶ 328 - ¶ 330)
  • Elder (¶ 332 - ¶ 334)

Adapted from The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church – 2016.