Inquiry Into Ministry (2008 Book of Discipline ¶311)
Beginning Candidacy: Apply and Enroll (¶311.1a,b)
Beginning Candidacy: Apply and Enroll (¶311.1b,c)
Beginning Candidacy: Apply and Enroll (¶311.1c)
Beginning Candidacy: (¶311.1c continued)
Declaring Candidacy (¶311.1d,e)
Declaring Candidacy (¶311.1e & 247.8)
Becoming a Certified Candidate (¶311.2)
Becoming a Certified Candidate (¶311.2)
Continuing Candidacy (¶312)
Certified Candidate: License As A Local Pastor (¶315)
Certified Candidate: Provisional Membership Rec. by dCOM
(¶324.10) |
Persons, upon hearing and heeding the call to servant leadership through licensed or ordained ministry, shall contact the pastor of their local church, another clergy, or the district superintendent of the district in which their United Methodist ministry setting is located to inquire about the process of candidacy. Persons are encouraged to use resources recommended by GBHEM, such as The Christian as Minister and the Ministry Inquiry Process. {2008 Discipline ¶311}
A. Beginning Candidacy
- The candidate shall be a professing member in good standing of The United Methodist Church for a minimum of 1 year in UM local church settings OR a baptized participant of a recognized UM campus ministry or other UM ministry setting for a minimum of 1 year. Candidate also shall take leadership in a ministry for a minimum of 1 year. Both requirements may be fulfilled in the same 1 year. When the candidate senses God’s call to ministry, candidate contacts his/her pastor or equivalent, reads The Christian as Minister and discusses with his/her pastor or equivalent.
- The candidate writes a letter to the District Superintendent requesting: admission to the Candidacy process, registration with GBHEM, the assignment of a candidacy mentor, and a meeting with the District Committee on Ordained Ministry (dCOM). Statements and information about his/her sense of call to licensed or ordained ministry are included in the letter. The candidate also sends copy of the letter to the dCOM Chairperson and the BOM Candidacy Registrar.
- The candidate’s pastor or equivalent completes form provided by dCOM Chairperson, and returns to dCOM Registrar:
●Pastor (or Equivalent) Recommendation Form to dCOM for Individual to
Begin Candidacy Process/2009
B. The District Committee on Ordained Ministry (dCOM) arranges for the candidate
to meet with the DS and the dCOM for an Introductory Interview:
- The candidate shares his/her faith story and sense of call with the dCOM. After prayerful discussion, the dCOM discerns the best place for the candidate to begin: delay entering Candidacy; begin Ministry Inquiry Process; begin Candidacy.
- The dCOM gives an overview of the process for the candidate, as well as expected costs: $75 fee for Guidelines for Candidacy (2009) book and administrative costs; $300 for the Psychological Assessment and the Background Check, for a total of $375.
3. The dCOM Registrar gives the Candidate necessary forms:
[The following forms are WNY Conf. forms and are available from
wnyumc.org (Go to Leadership:Board of Ordained Ministry website)]
■ Candidacy Process: WNY Annual Conference/January, 2010
■ WNY Conference Candidacy Process Flow Chart/January,2010
■ Background Check Procedures/2009
■ WNY Biographical Supplement Form/2009
■ Recommendation for Candidacy for“Called Servant Leadership”/2009
[The following forms are official UM Forms and are available from
gbhem.org. Go to: Ministry: Beginning Candidacy: Candidacy Forms]
■ Biographical Information Form 102/2009
■ Candidate’s Disclosure Form 114/2009 (must be notarized)
■ Declaration of Candidacy for Ordained Ministry Form 104/2009
■ Medical Report of Ministerial Candidate Form 103/2009 (if also
applying for Local Pastor License)
■ Behavioral Health Guidelines for Boards of Ordained Ministry/2005
[gbhem.org (Go to: Ministry: Boards of Ordained Ministry)]
4. dCOM Registrar also requests candidate to submit a certified document
indicating graduation from an accredited high school or a certificate of
equivalency or documentation of home-schooling equivalency.
5. When candidate is ready to begin candidacy studies, a Candidacy Mentor
(CM) is assigned, and the candidate is responsible to make contact with the
CM to begin the process.
6. In special circumstances, dCOM may authorize other UM ministry settings to
serve in the role of the local church for the purpose of recommending
candidacy and specify the persons or bodies that will serve in the roles of
Pastor, P/SPRC, and Charge Conference. (¶311.3)
7. The Office of the DS registers online the candidate and CM with gbhem.
*After the DS has registered the candidate online, the candidate can now go to canapply.gbhem.org and begin the online process to enroll in candidacy.*
C. The Candidate is responsible for contacting his/her Candidacy Mentor and setting up an initial meeting. At the first 2 meetings (scheduled as close together as possible) or 1 longer meeting, the following items will be attended to:
- If the candidate has not completed the online registration, Candidate and CM make arrangements to complete online the Candidacy Registration and receive Fulfilling God’s Call: Guidelines for Candidacy (GC){2009}[book or downloaded copy].CM and DS will electronically sign application.
- Candidate pays the $75 enrollment/program fee online by credit/debit card.
- Candidate will complete the Inventory of Religious Activities and Interests (IRAI) online. Results of the IRAI will be sent to Mentor in PDF form to review with the candidate.
- Together, Candidate and CM will go over Section 1 of GC (pp. 11-30).
- Candidate completes the following forms:
● United Methodist Church Biographical Information Form 102/2009
● WNY Biographical Supplement Form/2009
● Candidate’s Disclosure Form 114/2009 with notarization.
The following people should receive copies: CM, DS, and the dCOM
Registrar. The Candidate also retains copies.
6. The Candidate and CM will complete online the application process for the
Psychological Assessment
a. Candidate completes online the following forms:
● Personal Data Inventory (PDI)
● Personal and Professional Reference List (PPRL)
b. CM completes online the form:
● Candidacy Mentor’s Request for the Assessment Packet for
the DOM Candidacy Assessment Office, Form 112/2009
(Candidate chooses Ministerial Assessment
Specialist/Conference Psychological Consultant)
PLEASE NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT APPLICATION BE COMPLETED IN A TIMELY WAY WITH THE CANDIDATE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME REQUIRED FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE PSYCH ASSESSMENT AND THE RECEIVING OF THE REPORT.
7. When the CM receives the Psych Assessment Test Packet, arrangements will be made for the candidate to take the tests proctored by the Mentor. Mentor makes arrangements for an adequate testing setting and access to a computer with internet access (for part of the testing).
8. Candidate completes Psych Assessment and receives Psychological Report from Conference Psychological Consultant. Candidate is encouraged to share Psych Report with CM for support and encouragement.
9. Candidate to complete Background Check per instructions on form: ● Background Check Procedures/2009
10 .Background Check Officer (BCO) will inform candidate and dCOM
Registrar when Background Check is completed. (Per policy, if there are
issues that arise in the Background Check process, BCO notifies DS who
will have a conversation with the candidate.)
D. The candidate works with the CM to complete Section 2, pp. 31-116 of the GC that gives consideration to the candidate’s background and experience. (Sections 1 and 2 will be completed.)
E. The candidate and CM seriously review the Behavioral Health Guidelines form, and dCOM will also review with the candidate:
● The Behavioral Health Guidelines/2005
F. The candidate is encouraged to pursue education at one of the United Methodist seminaries, if going to seminary. Candidate may attend a seminary approved by the University Senate.
After above steps have been completed, the candidate is ready to DECLARE herself/himself a candidate for licensed or ordained ministry:
A. The candidate obtains a certified document of education indicating graduation from an accredited high school or a certificate of equivalency or documentation of home-schooling equivalency. Documentation submitted to dCOM Registrar, if not done earlier.
B. The candidate will work with CM to complete Section 3, pp. 123-127 to prepare for meetings with Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee (P/SPRC) or equivalent and the Charge Conference or body specified by dCOM.
PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING STEPS C-G ARE TO BE DONE ONLY AFTER THE CANDIDATE AND CANDIDACY MENTOR HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE BACKGROUND CHECK AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT ARE COMPLETED.
C. The candidate sends a letter to the pastor and P/SPRC or equivalent
body requesting a Charge Conference for recommendation for candidacy,
with a written statement reflecting the call to ministry.
D. The candidate meets with her/his local church pastor to share learnings, and to arrange details of the meetings with the P/SPRC or equivalent and the charge conference or body specified by dCOM.
E. The candidate meets with P/SPRC or equivalent body:
1.The P/SPRC or equivalent uses the following form in preparing for the
candidate’s interview:
● Recommendation for Candidacy for “Called Servant Leadership”/2009
2.The candidate answers John Wesley’s historical questions (¶310) in writing
and any other questions the P/SPRC or equivalent wishes to ask. The
P/SPRC or equivalent must decide if the candidate has the initial grace,
gifts, fruit, and promise for effectiveness, as the call to ministry is
examined.
3. The P/SPRC interviews Candidate and makes a decision regarding
recommendation to the Charge Conference for Certified Candidacy. The
P/SPRC or equivalent completes form and sends to dCOM Registrar.
● Recommendation for Candidacy for “Called Servant Leadership”/2009
4. When the P/SPRC or equivalent recommends the certification of the candidate to the Charge Conference, then the candidate fills in top of form:
●Declaration of Candidacy for Ordained MinistryForm 104/2009
(Sample Form 104 is on pages 126-127 of the Guidelines for Candidacy)
F. The candidate meets with the Charge Conference or body specified by dCOM for recommendation to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
G. The local church should intentionally nurture the candidate being recommended, and provide spiritual support, and where possible, to assist with the expenses of Candidacy, and provide some financial support for education and formation as servant leaders for the ministry of the whole people of God. (¶ 247.8, 311.2d)
Requirements to move to next steps:
1. Receive 2/3 affirmative written ballot vote from Charge Conference or Equivalent.
2. Send completed Declaration of Candidacy for Ordained Ministry Form 104/2009 to dCOM Registrar.
3. Continue candidacy studies with Candidacy Mentor.
A. Declared Candidate completes Section 3, Unit 18, pp. 176-184, GC.
1. The Declaring Candidate prepares written responses for dCOM, items 1) a-f on p. 128 in Guidelines for Candidacy (also found on reverse side of Form 104/2009 and ¶311.2a) Also, the Candidate needs to read footnote 3, ¶311.2d, p. 211-215, 2008 Discipline. Mentor reviews written work with Candidate.
2. The Declaring Candidate submits all material to dCOM at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled interview.
3. The CM writes Discernment Report (pp. 130-131, GC), receives release from Declaring Candidate, and both Candidate and Candidacy Mentor sign the Discernment Report. The Candidacy Mentor submits report to dCOM at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled interview.
4. The Declaring Candidate and the CM meet with full dCOM for the Declaring Candidate’s examination and Certification Interview. The interview is a comprehensive interview that includes review and discussion of:
● Mentor’s Discernment Report
● Candidate’s written answers to John Wesley’s historical questions
in ¶310 and also ¶311.2a questions
● Candidate’s biographical information and autobiographical
Statement (Form 102/2009 and WNY Biographical
Supplement/2009)
● Recommendations from the Psychological Assessment
● Any issues from Background Check and Disclosure Form 114/2009
● Recommendation for Candidacy for “Called Servant
Leadership”/2009
● Complete dedication to the highest ideals in the Christian
life:¶304.3 and ¶311.2d
● Behavioral Health Guidelines/2005
● Other information the dCOM may require (¶311.2d)
The dCOM examines and interviews Candidate with the CM present. The dCOM is not to ask questions of the Candidacy Mentor with the Candidate not present. The Candidacy Mentor remains with the Candidate when the dCOM deliberates and votes on Candidacy.
PLEASE NOTE: THE CANDIDATE’S CERTIFICATION INTERVIEW WITH THE dCOM IS NOT TO TAKE PLACE UNTIL ALL OF THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE dCOM REGISTRAR:
* PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT
* BACKGROUND CHECK REPORT
*CANDIDATE’S DISCLOSURE FORM (FORM 114/2009),
*CERTIFIED DOCUMENT OF A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
*RECOMMENDATION FOR CANDIDACY FOR “CALLED SERVANT
LEADERSHIP” FORM (2009)
*CHARGE CONFERENCE RECOMMENDATION (FORM 104/2009)
*BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION FORM (FORM 102/2009)
*WNY BIOGRAPHICAL SUPPLEMENT FORM (2009)
*PASTOR’S RECOMMENDATION FORM FOR dCOM (2009)
*CANDIDACY MENTOR’S DISCERNMENT REPORT
*CANDIDATES WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS IN ¶310&¶311.2a
[REGISTRAR REVIEWS ALL INFORMATION]
Requirements for Certification:
1. Receive ¾ affirmative written ballot vote for certification by dCOM
(¶665.6).
2. Candidacy Mentor completes the following “Approval Report” form
online regardless of dCOM decision. CM also completes form online if
candidate withdraws from the process:
● DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON ORDAINED MINISTRY
APPROVAL REPORT FOR CERTIFIED CANDIDATE FOR
ORDAINED MINISTRY FORM 113/2009
3. After form is completed online, CM mails a copy to BOM Candidacy
Registrar and dCOM Registrar. Candidate and CM retain a copy for
their records.
PLEASE NOTE: WHEN A CERTIFIED CANDIDATE BECOMES A LOCAL PASTOR (LP), THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CANDIDACY MENTOR NEEDS CLOSURE (GC, pp. 176-177). ALSO, THE LP IS REQUIRED TO PURSUE EDUCATION AND COMPLETE COURSE OF STUDY OR SEMINARY WITHIN REQUIRED TIME FRAMES. (¶319.1,3)
Annual Requirements for Continuation as a Certified Candidate:
In the summer, the dCOM will contact the certified candidate with a list of possible dates of a meeting for the required annual interview with the dCOM. The candidate is responsible for responding by the dCOM deadline with a request for a specific meeting date with the dCOM for continuation as a Certified Candidate. Once confirmation of the date is received, the candidate is to contact the Mentor to inform him/her of the date of the interview.
- Annual recommendation from Charge Conference: It is the responsibility of the Candidate to see that the Charge Conference of the local church annually renews its recommendation of her/him, and submits recommendation to the dCOM.
- Satisfactory progress in academic studies: An official transcript is to be submitted to dCOM Registrar annually, prior to the annual interview by dCOM.
- Evidence that the candidate’s gifts, fruit and God’s grace continue to be satisfactory for the work of ministry. The dCOM may provide the candidate with some questions to answer during the interview.
- Annual written report by Candidacy Mentor to dCOM (p. 146-147, GC) Candidate meets (or has contact if impossible to meet) with Mentor at least twice a year.
- Annual interview with dCOM. (Full dCOM or subcommittee of dCOM)
- Annual renewal of certification by dCOM (¶312) [¾ affirmative written ballot vote, ¶665.6].
- dCOM annually to file the following form with dCOM Registrar:
● CANDIDACY RENEWAL FORM 115/2009
IF BECOMING A LOCAL PASTOR
{BRIEF OUTLINE: CONSULT 2008 DISCIPLINE, ¶315}
[Person is a Certified Candidate]
1. Completion of Local Pastor’s Licensing School or 1/3 of work for a M.Div. degree.
2. Completion of Psychological Assessment, Background Check, and form: ●Candidate’s Disclosure Form 114/2009 {notarized}
3. Completion of Medical Report form [“satisfactory certificate of good health,” ¶315.6c] and submitted to dCOM Registrar: ●Medical Report of Ministerial Candidate Form 103/2009
4. Completion of 34-week version of Disciple Bible Studyor Equivalent. For Disciple: LP Candidate may be a participant OR lead the study OR LP Candidates may form their own group and rotate leadership. For Equivalent Bible Study: Must be a formal educational program in a seminary, college, Bible college, or Christian high school that is a general survey of both the Old and New Testament Scriptures. dCOM is to verify the LP Candidate’s completion of this requirement. LP Candidate to provide documentation.
4. Examination and recommendation of Local Pastor License by full dCOM by a ¾ majority vote and DS’s approval for Local Pastor’s License
5. Approval of Local Pastor recommendation reported to Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry by dCOM Registrar. Approval by BOM and Clergy Session.
6. Closure of relationship with Candidacy Mentor (GC, pp. 176-177). As part of closure process, Candidate and Candidacy Mentor may talk about a plan for study and growth.
7. Assigned a Pastoral/Clergy Mentor by dCOM and DS
Continuance as a Local Pastor: (¶319):
1 .Annual satisfactory progress in Course of Study or Seminary with transcript filed with the dCOM Registrar
2. Annual renewal of recommendation for Local Pastor License by dCOM, and approval by BOM and Clergy Session. {The full dCOM or a subcommittee of the dCOM will interview LP annually.}
3. A FT LP has 8 years to complete CS or Seminary; PT LP has 12 years to complete CS or Seminary
4. LP’s are classified into 3categories: Full-Time, Part-Time, Student (¶318)
IF BECOMING A PROVISIONAL MEMBER
1. Candidate with Mentor reviews Section 5 in GC, pp. 157-178. When a candidate
meets the Disciplinary requirements and is ready to request recommendation from
the dCOM for election to Provisional Membership (GC, pp. 159-164 and 2008
Discipline ¶324.10 and ¶324), the candidate is interviewed by the full dCOM.
Candidate is asked to write the answers to Questions a--e and i of the
Disciplinary Questions in ¶324.9, including BOM additions to the questions. [The
Candidate will also be asked to write answers to these questions for the Board of
Ordained Ministry as a requirement for Provisional Membership.] The candidate is
asked to provide written answers to the following questions to be submitted prior
to the dCOM interview for recommendation for Provisional Membership:
- Describe your personal experience of God and the understanding of God you derive from biblical, theological, and historical sources.
- What is your understanding of evil as it exists in the world?
- What is your understanding of humanity, and the human need for divine grace?
- How do you interpret the statement Jesus is Lord?
- What is your conception of the activity of the Holy Spirit in personal faith, in the community of believers, and in responsible living in the world?
i) Describe the nature and mission of the Church. What are its primary
tasks today?
2. The dCOM may ask a candidate to provide written answers to other questions
to help in the discernment process.
3. The candidate is required to provide a DVD of a recent sermon and the sermon
manuscript or transcript and accompanying bulletin.
4. The Candidate’s Mentor is present for this dCOM interview.
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