Walking Alongside the Call to Ministry
Pastoral ministry formation is not meant to happen alone. As a pastor, mentor, or church board, you play an important role in helping ministerial candidates discern God’s call, grow in ministry experience, and navigate the pathway toward ordination in the Church of the Nazarene.
The DMTC, local church, and District Board of Ministry work together to support and prepare pastors for faithful ministry in Canada Central District.
The Local Church Plays a Key Role
Why Mentorship Matters
Ordination in the Church of the Nazarene is not simply an academic process. It is a journey of spiritual formation, ministry experience, discernment, and preparation within the life of the local church.
Pastors and church boards help candidates:
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Discern and affirm their call to ministry
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Provide opportunities for ministry experience and leadership
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Encourage spiritual growth and character development
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Guide candidates through licensing and credentialing steps
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Support candidates throughout their educational journey
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Walk alongside them toward ordination
Many candidates succeed because pastors intentionally invest in them, create ministry opportunities, and help them understand the process ahead.
The Journey Toward Ordination
A Call to Ministry
A person senses God’s call to ministry and begins serving in the local church.
Local Church Support
The pastor and church board help discern and affirm the candidate’s call. This often includes ministry opportunities, mentoring, and local church licensing.
District License & Board of Ministry
Candidates begin working with the District Board of Ministry as they continue ministry experience and educational preparation.
Educational Preparation
Students complete their educational requirements (the DMTC helps with this)
Ongoing Mentorship & Evaluation
Pastors and mentors continue encouraging, evaluating, and supporting candidates as they develop in ministry leadership and character.
Ordination
After completing the required process, education, ministry experience, and Board of Ministry recommendations, candidates may be approved for ordination.
Every candidate’s story is different, but the process toward ordination generally includes these steps:
The Role of a Mentor
What Does a Mentor Pastor Do?
Mentor pastors are one of the most important influences in a candidate’s ministry development. While the Board of Ministry oversees the credentialing process, mentors help candidates apply what they are learning in real ministry settings.
Mentor pastors often:
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Meet regularly with candidates for encouragement and accountability
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Help students connect course learning to local ministry
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Provide opportunities to preach, lead, teach, visit, and serve
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Guide candidates through licensing interviews and district expectations
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Help candidates understand Nazarene practices and responsibilities
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Encourage healthy ministry habits, spiritual formation, and leadership growth
The strongest ministry preparation happens when the local church, mentor pastor, DMTC, and Board of Ministry work together.
The District Board of Ministry
The District Board of Ministry (BOM) works alongside pastors and local churches to guide the preparation, credentialing, and development of ministers in the Church of the Nazarene.
The Board of Ministry:
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Oversees the credentialing and ordination process
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Interviews candidates throughout their ministry journey
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Reviews educational progress and ministry development
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Recommends district licenses and ordination
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Supports ministers in lifelong preparation and accountability
The Board seeks to prayerfully discern readiness for ministry while helping candidates develop as pastors.
How the DMTC Fits In
The District Ministry Training Centre helps candidates complete the educational preparation required for ministry in the Church of the Nazarene in a flexible and accessible way.
The Canada Central District continues to encourage pastoral candidates to pursue traditional Bible college and seminary education, including master’s-level theological training where possible. Formal theological education provides valuable depth for ministry and leadership development.
At the same time, the district recognizes that candidates come from different life stages, financial situations, ministry contexts, and educational backgrounds.
The DMTC supports those who:
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Need a more flexible pathway while serving in ministry, working, or caring for family
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Are unable to relocate or pursue full-time seminary education
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Need to complete additional Nazarene educational requirements
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Are pursuing ordination through the NCOS pathway
The DMTC works closely with the District Board of Ministry and local churches to help candidates move forward in their calling while remaining connected to ministry in their local context.
Students participate in:
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Courses (video teachings, community discussions with other students on the Canada Central District)
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Online discussions and ministry reflection
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Ministry application and contextual learning
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Cohort-based learning with other ministry leaders (led by local pastors)
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Ongoing encouragement and support
The goal is not simply academic completion, but preparing pastors and leaders for faithful ministry in the local church
Supporting the Next Generation of Pastors
Healthy ministry preparation happens when churches intentionally invest in emerging leaders. Thank you for the ways you mentor, encourage, and walk alongside those responding to God’s call.
Questions about the ordination process, mentoring, or educational requirements?
Contact Rev. Tamara Hudson to learn more.