Journey Phase 3 · Declared Candidate

Declaring Candidacy

The path from candidate to clergy, and which forms go where: the Summit, the local church vote, assessments and the DCOM.

  1. Certification
  2. License & Appointment
  3. Commissioning
  4. 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
After a diagram by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).

Forms for Candidacy Summit

  1. Candidate Summit Application (RioTX Form)
    1. Statement of Call
    2. Statement of Ministry Involvement & Fruitfulness
    3. Safe Ministry Certification

Forms for Local Church Vote

  1. SPRC Recommendation (RioTX Form)

    1. Statement of Call

    2. Written Statement - Your written response providing evidence of understanding and expectation concerning the following: (¶310.2a)

      1. the most formative experience of your Christian life;
      2. God's call to licensed or ordained ministry and the role of the church in your call;
      3. your beliefs as a Christian;
      4. your gifts for ministry;
      5. your present understanding of your call to ministry as elder, deacon, or licensed ministry; and
      6. your support system

  2. Charge Conference Recommendation (Form 104)

Assessments through Conference sent directly to DCOM

  1. Credit Check
  2. Psychological Assessment
    1. Candidate References (4 - self and 3 non relatives)
    2. Personal Data Inventory
    3. Zoom Session (Scheduled after Payment, References, Personal Data Inventory Received)

Other Forms for DCOM

  1. GBHEM Forms
    1. Form 102 - Biographical Information
    2. Form 103 - Medical
    3. Form 114 Disclosure (Notarized)
  2. Other Forms
    1. Agreement to Highest Ideals of the Christian Life
    2. Group Mentoring Report

Before Licensing School or first appointment

  1. Clergy Sexual Ethics