F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N C O N TAC T:
R E V. M EG L A S S I AT
D I R EC TO R O F C A N D I DAC Y, M E N TO R I N G , A N D C O N F E R E N C E R E L AT I O N S
M L A S S I AT @ G B H E M . O R G
6 1 5 - 3 4 0 - 7 3 7 4 @ M E G L A S S I AT
Process for Candidacy, Licensing, Provisional Membership, and Ordination
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDACY¶310.1, 2012 BOOK OF DISCIPLINE
Obtain high school diploma or certificate of equivalency Professing member of UMC or baptized participant of a recognized UM campus
ministry or other UM ministry setting for at least one year Request admission to candidacy and assignment of candidacy mentor from the
district superintendent and register online in the Candidacy Application System Receive recommendation from S/P-PRC or equivalent body specified by dCOM Write statement of call and be interviewed in light of Wesley’s historic
questions, ¶ 310.1d Approved by 2/3 written ballot of charge conference or body specified by dCOM Continue education and candidacy studies with the mentor
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
TO BECOME A CERTIFIED CANDIDATE
¶310.2, 2012 BOOK OF DISCIPLINE1. Submit written response to questions in ¶310.2(a) providing evidence of understanding and expectation concerning:
The most formative years of their Christian life God’s call to licensed or ordained ministry and the role of the
church in their call Their beliefs as a Christian Their gifts for ministry Their present understanding of their call to ministry as elder,
deacon, or licensed ministry Their support system
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
TO BECOME A CERTIFIED CANDIDATE2. Complete required background checks
3. Complete psychological assessment, if not done before
4. Provide other information upon request
5. Agree to highest ideals of Christian life as set forth in ¶¶101-104 and ¶¶160-166 (Social Principles)
6. Examination and approval by dCOM on Form 113 (3/4 approval on written ballot, ¶666.6)
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
CONTINUING CANDIDACY
1. Annual recommendation by charge conference
2. Annual written report by candidacy mentor to dCOM
3. Annual school transcripts to dCOM
4. Annual interview and renewal by dCOM (¶313)
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
LICENSED LOCAL PASTOR
¶315, 2012 BOOK OF DISCIPLINEQualifications: Certified Candidate Complete BOM-sponsored Orientation to Ministry (¶312)
Education: Completed studies for license as a local pastor or 1/3 of the work for the
Master of Divinity degree Continuing progress in the Course of Study or M.Div. degree
Each Local Pastor Shall: Be interviewed and recommended annually by dCOM Be supervised by a DS Be assigned a clergy mentor while in the Course of Study or seminary Receive a license for pastoral ministry while appointed
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
LICENSED LOCAL PASTORRequirements for Licensed Local Pastors Preparing to Become Elders
¶324.6 Minimum forty years of age
Satisfied all requirements of Sections 1-3 and 7-14 of ¶324, which includes bachelor degree or equivalent
Completed five-year Course of Study
Completed 32 hours graduate theological study or equivalent (Advanced Course of Study)
Including United Methodist history, doctrine, and polity
Minimum forty years of age Served four years as full-time local pastor (or equivalent) Completed five-year Course of Study Completed minimum 60 hours toward B. A. or equivalent Recommended by dCOM and BOM Agree to accept full-time continuing appointment Satisfy BOM regarding physical health Required psychological reports, criminal background and credit checks Completed written doctrinal examination (¶324.9) Prepared a written sermon on suggested Bible passage
ASSOCIATE MEMBER¶322, 2012 BOOK OF DISCIPLINE
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
PROVISIONAL MEMBERRequirements for Provisional Membership for Deacons ¶324
Qualifications: Certified Candidate for at least one (1) year, maximum 12 years Demonstrated his or her gifts for ministries of service and leadership
to the satisfaction of the dCOM (¶324.2) Complete BOM-sponsored Orientation to Ministry (¶312)
Education: Bachelor’s degree Theological master’s degree, or Master’s in specialized ministry
Including basic graduate theological studies (minimum 24 hours) within cohesive program
A person may be eligible for provisional membership after completing ½ of graduate education, including ½ of BGTS
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
PROVISIONAL MEMBERRequirements for Provisional Membership for Deacons ¶324
Present a certificate of good health
Submit candidate disclosure Form 114
Complete a written doctrinal examination
Submit an autobiographical statement to the BOM
Be interviewed by the dCOM and recommended in writing to the BOM by a 3/4 majority vote (¶324.10)
Be interviewed by the BOM and recommended to the clergy session by a 2/3 majority vote (¶324.14) of the BOM
Receive approval from the clergy session
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
PROVISIONAL MEMBERRequirements for Provisional Membership for Deacons ¶324
Alternative Education for Deacon in Full Connection:
Thirty-five years of age
Bachelor’s degree
Certification or license in area of service (minimum of eight graduate hours)
Basic graduate theological studies (minimum of 24 hours)
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
PROVISIONAL MEMBERRequirements for Provisional Membership for Elders ¶324
Qualifications: Certified Candidate for at least one (1) year, maximum 12 years Demonstrated his or her gifts for ministries of service and leadership to
the satisfaction of the dCOM (¶324.2) Complete BOM-sponsored Orientation to Ministry (¶312)
Education: Bachelor’s degree Master of Divinity including basic graduate theological studies (minimum
of 24 hours) from a University Senate-approved seminary A person may be eligible for provisional membership after completing
½ of graduate education, including ½ of BGTS
.Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified
CandidateContinuing Candidacy
Licensed Local Pastor
Provisional Member Ordination
Deacon
Elder
PROVISIONAL MEMBERRequirements for Provisional Membership for Elders ¶324
Each Candidate Shall: Present a certificate of good health Submit Candidate Disclosure form 114 Complete a doctrinal examination and autobiographical statement Be interviewed by the dCOM and recommended in writing to the BOM by
a 3/4 majority vote (¶324.10)
Be interviewed by the BOM and recommended to the clergy session by a 2/3 majority vote (¶324.14)
Receive approval of clergy session
Certified Candidacy – 3/4 majority, written ballot (dCOM) Continuing Candidacy –majority (dCOM) Licensing and Continuing –majority (dCOM) Associate Membership – majority vote of Clergy Session Associate to Provisional Membership – 3/4 majority of Clergy
Session Provisional Membership Recommendation – 3/4 majority of
dCOM and 2/3 majority of BOM Provisional Membership Approval – majority vote of Clergy
Session Full Membership Recommendation – 2/3 vote of the BOM Full Membership Approval – 2/3 vote of Clergy Session
Required Votes
Application
Exploration with Candidacy Mentor
S/P-PRC and Charge Conference
Recommendations
Affirmation and Supervision of
dCOM
Certification, Withdrawal or
Denial
Approval for Local Pastor License
and Continuance
The Stages of Candidacy
Certified Candidate
Continuing Candidacy
Local Pastor License
Commissioned Minister
Provisional Membership
Ordained
Deacon Elder
The Candidacy and Ordination Process for Licensed or Ordained Ministry
Associate Membership
The Big Picture
MENTORAssist in Discernment, Facilitate Reflection &
Growth, Guide & Counsel, Report
DSReceive Written Application (letter), Nominate Guides & Mentors, Approve Service
Appointments
BOMReceive Candidate from dCOM, Interview, Defer or Recommend
for Provisional membership
dCOMEnlist, Assign Mentors,
Examine, Certify
GBHEM-DOMEnrollment, Psychological Assessment, Consultant
REGISTRARTrain, Interpret, Record
Keeping, Reports
Candidate
LOCAL CHURCHIdentify Candidates,
Approve Entry
QUESTIONS and RESOURCES
GBHEM Candidacy Office
Online Candidacy Application System (OCAS) - canapply.gbhem.org
Enlistment or Candidacy questions - [email protected]
Psychological Assessment questions - [email protected]
Phone – 615-340-7374