Background
The present standards for ordination in GRR (consistent with the recommendations of ABCUSA) accept three “tracks” for ministerial education.
- Track I is the “typical” pattern of BA plus Master of Divinity.
- Track II is a very atypical, and rarely used, pattern of experiential equivalence.
- Track III allows for regionally-recognized education patterns.
The Alternative Ministerial Education program (AME) grew out of older certified lay ministry programs and was finalized by the GRR Board of Ministries January 18, 2008.
For those seeking ordination, this is only an educational alternative, all other requirements still apply (e.g. Boundaries Course, ABC History and Polity, remunerated pastoral or church staff position, vocational assessment through Midwest Career or approved alternative).