Local Pastor Licensing School of New England Conference

06/23/2025

We are happy to share that Rev Dr John Whitley will be the new Dean of Local Pastor Licensing School. He is a gifted teacher with the background in the biblical studies. He is an excellent preacher and pastor. We look forward to seeing the next chapter of our school under his leadership and welcoming new students who will say yes to their call to ministry.

Local Pastor Licensing School in 2026
Time: January 4 (Sunday) to January 9 (Friday), 2026
Place: Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in Andover MA

04/04/2025

Preaching Lab on March 8, 2025

We congratulate all six students who successfully completed LPLS this year. We commend them for their diligent work and active participation in all classes. We pray God blesses them and their families as they continue to make a progress in their candidacy progress.

Preaching Lab by Local Pastor Licensing School 2025Date: March 8, 2025Place: Aldersgate UMC (242 Boston Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824)Preachers #1 Alan McCall #2 He...

01/09/2025

Day 4

We began the morning with “Stewardship” by Rev David Abbott. He is the director of stewardship at UM Foundation.

We welcomed two new instructors today.

Rev. Barbara Lemmel taught “Transforming Conflict.” She is the director of Tending the Fire and she will lead a Zoom retreat on February 11-13, Mar 25-27, and May 6-8. Participants will receive 9 CEU. If interested, please contact her at [email protected]

Another new teacher was Rev Kwan Kim, pastor of Hampden Federated Church in MA. He taught a class in “Evangelism” and we all were inspired to hear his testimony about how his congregation grew from 25 on Sundays to 80 within only one year. His deep faith in God, simple invitation for others to come and see, and experience of joy through their shared ministries. We wish others may have a chance to hear him and be inspired.

We finished the evening with Soul Care led by Rev Larry Jay, practicing Lectio Divina.

Full day. It was such an inspiring, community building and heartwarming day.

01/07/2025

Cold outside but it is warm in our hearts for God and for one another here.

Our third day of Local Pastor Licensing School

“Biblical Interpretation” by Rev. John Whitley and “Worship” by Rev. Greg Smith

01/06/2025

Our second day of Local Pastor Licensing School

Rev John Whitley teaching “Introduction to Theological Reflection” and Rev Jackie Brannen “Pastoral Counseling” and Rev Megan Stowe “UM Polity and Social Principles”

01/03/2025

Keep us in your prayers as we prepare to welcome six students to Local Pastor Licensing School program that begins with a retreat at Rolling Ridge from January 5 to January 10, 2025. Keep these students in your prayers as they intensely take classes, learn, and discern.

06/25/2024

Our next LPLS program begins with the retreat at Rolling Ridge from January 5 to 10, 2025. The students must be certified candidates, approved by their DS to attend the LPLS program. We have a wonderful team of faculty members and qualified instructors to help you deepen your understanding of theory and practice for ministry.

If you have any questions, please contact the Dean of LPLS, Rev. Dr. Songbok Bob Jon. ([email protected] or 508-685-6291). The registration form will be available later this summer on the conference website. (https://www.neumc.org/BOMeducationtrainingandretreats)

06/25/2024

We had a privilege to present the new local pastors to New England Conference on June 22, 2024. One of the new pastors was Pastor Ron Franklin who came out of the Local Pastor Licensing School this year. He will be serving Dalton UMC, MA from July 1, 2024. Congratulations to all the new local pastors! We pray for God's blessings on your ministries!

01/11/2024

Day 4

Stewardhip with Rev David Abbott
Working with Laity by Bonnie Marden
Freedom in the Pulpit & Preaching and the Wesleyan Themes by Bob Jon
Dinner with haddock and asparagus
Soul Care with Rev Larry Jay

Busy day but joyful and productive one

01/09/2024

Local Pastor Licensing School in process at Rolling Ridge

01/01/2024

Please keep the students, staff, faculties, and instructors in your prayers as we start the LPLS program with the retreat at Rolling Ridge this Sunday (Jan 7).

09/30/2023

We are pleased to announce a new faculty member to Local Pastor Licensing School.

Rev. Dr. Jacki Brannen is the former district superintendent of Katahdin district. She holds degrees in counselling, education, and spiritual formation. We are excited for this opportunity to work with her and offer her academic specialties and ministerial wisdom.

Our LPLS program begins with the retreat at Rolling Ridge from January 7 (Sun) to Jan 12 (Fri), 2024.

If you have any questions about our LPLS program, please contact Rev. Bob Jon ([email protected])