Wesley welcomes and appreciates the dynamic support of PMM sites in training ministers through partnership with its contextual education programs. Last year, Wesley's PMM students enjoyed the partnership of 150 unique placement sites for students in building their sense and capacity for ministry. We invite your church, agency, healthcare institution, etc.  to join Wesley Theological Seminary in the mission of preparing the next generation of pastoral leaders for the church and world. 

Wesley Theological Seminary would look forward to welcoming you as a PMM teaching ministry.  The opportunity to share in our Values for contextual education is a distinct call to partner with us in creating your ministry setting as a true "classroom" for ministerial education, partnering with a Wesley student as she/he answers the call of God for service in the church.   

Our God expects much from us in living and proclaiming the Gospel in diverse contexts and ways.  So too, Wesley asks a lot from the Learning Partners who mentor students in their journey.  We invite you to read the Attributes of a Teaching Setting which will provide you with a clear summary of what is sought in a teaching setting. 

Requirements for a Teaching Congregation/Ministry Setting

1. A willingness to help with the task of preparing the next generation of leaders for the church, who are ready to be faithful and fruitful ministerial leaders.
2. Participation by the clergy/administrator partner in identifying a lay/staff learning partner. 
3. Attendance as a learning team (student, clergy/administrator, and lay/staff member) in one of the orientation sessions in its entirety.  If the student's learning team is not oriented prior to the beginning of fall classes, the student will not be permitted in PMM. 
   
4. A willingness to provide a comprehensive range of learning experiences in leadership for the student through the ongoing life and work of the teaching setting that will lead to obtaining competencies for ministerial leadership.  (Resources will be available to provide guidelines and criteria for these activities).
   
5. A commitment by the Learning Partners to meet monthly (for at least one hour) to provide the student with guidance in his or her learning situations and engage the student in theological reflection on their ministry experience. 
   
6. Provision of a written evaluation of the student at the end of each academic year and participation ini the yearly site visits or other necessary consultations.
   
7. A willingness to abide by all Wesley Theological Seminary policies. 

*NOTE:  Students may not be placed in their home churches/agencies unless they are employed there. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of institution may be a teaching setting?
Our teaching settings consist of churches, hospitals, not-for-profit agencies, schools, nursing homes, hospices, and campus ministries. 

How can our church or agency become a teaching setting?
In order to be considered as a teaching setting, you must complete a Teaching Congregation and Ministry Setting Profile Application and return to our office in January. The Profile Application can be downloaded here from the website. 

When do PMM Placements begin? 
All PMM placements begin in the fall of each academic year. 

When is the deadline for the student and setting to be matched?
PMM placements are determined by May 1 of each year for the following fall semester.   

What are the requirements for becoming a teaching setting?
Your setting must be willing to commit to ensuring that all students have an opportunity to grow in all aspects of ministry. Your setting must be willing to:

• Establish a Learning Team which consists of the student, a clergy/administrator, and a lay/staff person from the church or agency.
• This Learning Team is required to attend a mandatory orientation that is held during the summer prior to the student's placement.

What are the requirements for becoming a clergy or administrative mentor?
A clergy mentor must be someone who is fully ordained in their respected denomination. An administrative mentor is someone who is a chief administrator, executive director, or a director of their setting. Mentors should have been in their positions for more than one year.  The prospective mentor must be willing to attend a one day orientation in the summer with the student prior to the student beginning his/her placement. 

What is the commitment time? 
Master of Arts students require 2 academic semesters of placement; Masters of Divinity students are required to complete 4 academic semesters.  These semesters begin in the last week of August and continue through the end of April. This does include both Christmas and Easter holidays, but students can arrange a two week vacation during the year. 

What if I don't have any experience mentoring a student?
The Practice in Ministry and Mission Program is committed to ensuring that all clergy mentors have the necessary tools to supervise students throughout their placement. The orientation will help you learn what you need to do. You will have access to a site visit each year and the support of the Practice in Ministry and Mission faculty. The Practice in Ministry and Mission Handbook is a written resource for you.

Is our teaching setting allowed to have more than one student?
Yes. However, each student must have their own lay/staff person assigned to them.

Is our teaching setting required to pay the intern?
No, the PMM Program does not require teaching settings to pay the students.  However, if you are willing to pay a stipend to the student throughout their placement, you are free to do so. 

Additional questions may be directed to Wesley's PMM Office at (202) 885-8666.

Prospective Site Resources