Rio Texas Conference · Candidacy
Your candidacy journey
Four Journey Phases, from first sensing a call to becoming a certified candidate. Start with the overview, then work through your phase's checklist.
- Certification
- License & Appointment
- Commissioning
- Ordination
Candidates
Candidacy Period1-12 yearsCertified Candidate
Licensed Ministry“Licensed” Local Pastor
Provisional Ministry2-8 yearsProvisional Member(Elder or Deacon)
Ordained MinistryMember in Full Connection(Elder or Deacon)
Licensed Ministry“Licensed” Local Pastor(This status may continue to Associate Membership.)
Clergy
Candidacy Requirements
- Local church membership or UM ministry setting (1yr)
- HS diploma or equivalent
- Conversation w/ pastor and DS
- Assessments
- Registry enrollment
- Mentor assignment
- Local church vote
- dCOM vote
Journey Phase 1
Inquiring Candidate
Explore your call with your pastor and District Superintendent, and apply for Candidacy Summit.
- Discern your call
- Meet with your pastor
- Contact your District Superintendent
- Apply for Candidacy Summit
- Complete Safe Ministry training
- Prepare for Candidacy Summit
- Journey Phase 1 Checklist: Inquiring Candidate
- Candidacy Summit: Process & Application
- Child, Youth, and Vulnerable Adult Safety Policy: Certification Steps
- Answering the Call: Candidacy GuidebookGBHEMThe national guidebook for candidacy, read in assigned chapters from Journey Phase 1 through certification. The conference emails you a PDF after you apply; you receive a printed copy at Candidacy Summit.
- The Christian as MinisterCokesburyThe short book you read and discuss with your pastor before applying for Candidacy Summit.
- Form 114: The United Methodist Church Candidate’s Disclosure Form (2025)GBHEMA notarized disclosure you print, sign before a notary, and keep for the District Committee.
Journey Phase 2
Exploring Candidate
Attend Candidacy Summit, join Orientation to Ministry group mentoring, and choose your next steps as laity or clergy.
- Attend Candidacy Summit
- Register with Passage UMC
- Orientation to Ministry Discernment Group
- Choose your next steps as laity or clergy
- Journey Phase 2 Checklist: Exploring Candidate
- Nurturing a Call Together
- Orientation to Ministry Group Discernment: Participant Guidebook
- Passage UMC Registration
- Calling
- Revisiting Your Statement of Call
- Report: Completion of Orientation to Ministry Discernment Group
- Works of PietyDiscipleship MinistriesThe blog post behind the works of piety and works of mercy graphic used in the Summit afternoon session.
- Covenant of PresenceCenter for Courage & RenewalThe ground rules for the circle of trust your discernment group meets in.
- Ministry in the UMCGBHEMA short brochure on lay and clergy ministries in The United Methodist Church, to read as you choose your next steps.
- Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker, Certified Lay MinisterDiscipleship MinistriesA chart of what each certified lay ministry does and what it requires for certification and renewal.
- Lay Servant MinistriesDiscipleship MinistriesAn introduction to the lay servant leadership development program.
- Ministry of Local PastorsGBHEMFirst steps, education and continuing steps for licensed local pastors.
- Ministry of DeaconsGBHEMWhat deacons do, and the steps and education that lead to commissioning and ordination.
- Ministry of EldersGBHEMWhat elders do, and the steps and education that lead to commissioning and ordination.
- Ministry of Endorsed ClergyGBHEMChaplaincy and pastoral counseling beyond the local church, and how endorsement works.
Journey Phase 3
Declared Candidate
Your church affirms your call, you complete the assessments, and you meet the District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
- Journey Phase 3 Checklist: Declared Candidate
- S/PPRC Candidacy Approval and Recommendation
- Reflecting on Wesley's Historic Questions
- Psychological Assessment for UMC Candidacy, Rio Texas Conference
- Reflecting on Call, Faith, and Readiness for Ministry
- Commitment to the Highest Ideals of Christian Life
- Declaring Candidacy
- Form 102: Biographical Information FormGBHEMThe biographical form you complete and keep a copy of for the District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
- Form 103: Medical Summary Report of Ministerial CandidateGBHEMA report your doctor completes and sends to the District Committee on Ministry; the app records only that it was received.
- Form 104: Declaration of Candidacy, Charge Conference or Equivalent Body RecommendationGBHEMThe form your Charge Conference signs to recommend you for certification as a candidate.
- Form 105: Application for Clergy Relationship to the Annual ConferenceGBHEMThe application you complete for the District Committee on Ordained Ministry packet.
- Acknowledgment and Authorization for Background CheckValidity Screening SolutionsAuthorizes the conference's credit and background check; the app never collects what it asks for and records only that it was received.
- A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting ActConsumer Financial Protection BureauThe federal notice of your rights that accompanies the background check.
Journey Phase 4
Certified Candidate
Continue as a certified candidate, renewed each year, toward licensing or commissioning.
- Form 109: Theological School Recommendation for Conference MembershipGBHEMThe recommendation a theological school completes for a student moving toward conference membership.
- Form 117: Church Support for CandidacyGBHEMThe annual report your church completes on its spiritual and financial support, due before candidacy is renewed.
- Keeping Our Sacred Trust: Understanding Clergy Sexual EthicsKeeping Our Sacred Trust (lewisonlinelearning.org)Online training in ethical boundaries in ministry, which both clergy tracks complete before licensing or commissioning.