Frequently Asked Questions

The Center for Ministry welcomes persons who seek to connect with God, to deepen their spiritual lives, and who value lifelong learning.  Those who want to lead more effectively in the church, the academy, and the community will also find assistance here.  Created in 1999 by Millsaps College and the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Center includes persons from any denomination in its programs. Both lay persons and clergy participate in Center offerings.
 

The Center is organized around four program initiatives.

1. The Mississippi Course of Study: a 5-year educational process/program for part-time licensed Local  Pastors in the United Methodist Church
2. Spiritual Formation: Journey Partners (a two-year training program in spiritual direction and supervision for practicing directors), Retreats, and Spiritual Formation for Congregations and Groups
3. Continuing Education for clergy and Leadership Development for laity.                  
4. The Pastoral Excellence Project, funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc.: Shepherd’s Sabbath, New Wineskins Grants for Peer Groups, Spiritual Direction on the Coast, and PeerNet

The Center has its own Board of Directors with designated members from the college and the church and elected members who serve four-year terms.  The Board currently holds three regular meetings a year.
 

The Center began with seed money from the Mississippi Annual Conference and Millsaps College.  The annual budget is now funded by a mix of gifts from donors, fees paid by program participants, and grant income.  The Lilly Endowment grant for the Pastoral Excellence Project will phase out in 2012.
 

Please click here to see the current Continuing Education Guidelines.

Register for and participate in a Center for Ministry event or other learning opportunity in an approved setting. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) records for United Methodist clergy in Mississippi are kept by the Center. Clergy may request transcripts of their continuing education at any time by contacting Betty Wheat.  

If you plan to attend an event sponsored by another organization, you may send a description of that event to the Center in advance for approval.  Review our Continuing Education Guidelines for more information.

If you are involved in planning a learning event, you may contact the Center for Ministry office in advance to request approval for continuing education credit. Review our Continuing Education Guidelines for more information.

1. Pray for the Center, its Board, its staff, and its work.
2. Participate in CFM events and programs.
3. Help us tell the Center's story; spread the word about this resource to others.
4.  Make a gift to the Center for Ministry Annual Fund or endowment.  Consider an honor gift or memorial for someone important to you!  Our address: Center for Ministry, Box 150041, Millsaps College, 1701 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39210.