Orders and Fellowship

There shall be in each annual conference an Order of Deacons and an Order of Elders. All persons ordained as clergy in The United Methodist Church upon election to full membership in the annual conference shall be members of and participate in an order appropriate to their election. An order is a covenant community within the church to mutually support, care for, and hold accountable its members for the sake of the life and mission of the church. These orders, separately or together, seek to respond to the spiritual hunger among clergy for a fulfilling sense of vocation, for support among peers during this stressful time of change in the Church, and for a deepening relationship with God. (¶ 306, 2016 Book of Discipline)

Persons shall become members of the Order of Deacons or Order of Elders following their election to full membership in the annual conference. Acceptance of the status of full membership will constitute a commitment to regular participation in the life of the order. (¶ 309.1, 2016 Book of Discipline)

Each annual conference shall organize a Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members. All licensed local pastors and associate members shall be members of and participate in the Fellowship. The Fellowship will provide mutual support for its members for the sake of the life and mission of the church. (¶ 323, 2016 Book of Discipline)

Order of Elders
Co-Chairs of the Order of Elders: Daryl Blanksma and Susan Boegli

Order of Deacons
Co-Chairs of the Order of Deacons: Patty Meyers and Jane Hill

Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members
Chair: Deena Wolfe