“At Licensing School, the students learn preaching, teaching, UM polity, organization and administration, spiritual formation and counseling, missions and evangelism, and many other practical lessons for serving a congregation,” said Rev. Val Reinhiller, dean of the Dakotas Conference licensing school.

Lake Poinsett Camp and Retreat Center hosted 23 participants from four annual conferences: Dakotas, Desert Southwest, Minnesota and Wisconsin for the 2018 Dakotas Annual Conference Licensing School. 

There were five professors from the Dakotas Conference teaching the courses: Rev. Gary Ball-Kilbourne, clergy effectiveness; Rev. Chet Cataldo, mission and evangelism; Rev. Ross Reinhiller, public worship, preaching and the sacraments; Rev. Valerie Reinhiller, education ministries in the church; Rev. Eric Van Meter, spiritual formation.

Licensing school is a "crash course" in being a pastor for those who want to be available for appointment or assignment to a church or charge as a licensed local pastor. In order to become a licensed local pastor a candidate must complete an application process with the District and Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and complete the licensing school and the Course of Study offered through various seminaries.

A licensed local pastor has answered the call from God to serve the mission of Jesus Christ through the work of the local congregation in The United Methodist Church. Though not ordained, the licensed local pastor performs all the duties of a pastor, including proclamation of the Word; leading worship; administering the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion; the services of marriage; burial; confirmation; and membership reception, within and while appointed to a particular charge or extension ministry. 

Dakotas Conference participants included: Brenda Goodman, serving Medina / Tappen; Jason Martens, serving Salem Unite, Brandon Dunham, serving Groton / Conde; Cheri Van Gorp, Stickney, SD; Jeff Nueberger, serving Park River Federated - UMC/PCUSA / Fordville PCUSA; Jeanne Sortland, serving Kensal / Wimbledon; Derek Runge, serving Kimball Protestant Parish; Jason Christensen, serving White River / Mission; Rey Colon, serving Huron First; Molly Leger, serving Arlington / Lake Preston; Brett Roes, serving Rapid City Canyon Lake; Josh Willprecht, Dell Rapids, SD; Zach Kingery, serving Wessington Springs / Alpena.