Journey Phase 2 · Exploring Candidate

Report: Completion of Orientation to Ministry Discernment Group

The report your group facilitators complete about your Orientation to Ministry group. On-screen fill comes later.

Date Completed: __________________

District: _______________

Exploring Candidate: ______________________________________________

Home Church: ______________________________________________

Date of Candidacy Summit: ______________________________________________

Group Facilitator(s): ______________________________________________

Ministry Path: Through conversation and reflection, the candidate has articulated an interest in discerning a call toward the following ministry path (circle): LLP / Deacon / Elder

This report affirms the candidate's participation in group mentoring as a space of prayerful discernment, reflection on call, engagement with the means of grace, and communal exploration of ministry readiness.

  1. **Faithful Participation (**Please indicate your observation):

    • Consistently present and engaged
    • Present with moderate engagement
    • Inconsistent participation
    • Unable to assess

    Total number of sessions for the group: ______ Synchronous sessions attended: _______ Asynchronous sessions completed: ______

  2. Engagement in Discernment of Call (Based on group interactions, the candidate demonstrated):

    • Thoughtful reflection on their sense of call
    • Willingness to wrestle with questions and ambiguity
    • Growing clarity about gifts and ministry direction
    • Limited engagement in discernment
    • Unable to assess

  3. Spiritual Formation & Practices (The candidate showed evidence of):

    • Engagement with spiritual disciplines / means of grace
    • Openness to God's leading
    • Humility and teachability
    • Emerging awareness of spiritual growth
    • Unable to assess

  4. Participation in Community Discernment (In the group setting, the candidate):

    • Listened respectfully to others
    • Contributed constructively
    • Demonstrated empathy and support
    • Navigated differences with grace
    • Needed growth in group engagement
    • Unable to assess

  5. Readiness for Next Steps (In your pastoral judgment, this candidate):

    • Demonstrates readiness to continue in the candidacy process
    • Would benefit from continued discernment before next steps
    • Recommendation is offered with some reservations
    • Unable to determine

    Brief explanation (1–3 sentences):

  6. Mentor Reflection (Based on your interactions in group mentoring, briefly describe how the candidate engaged the discernment process. Note any observable signs of growth, clarity of call, participation in community, and areas for continued formation.)

Orientation to Ministry Facilitators:

Name(s): ______________________________________________

Signature(s) Date

Release Statement and Signing

I have read the report of my Orientation to Ministry and authorize its release to the District Committee on Ministry and Board of Ordained Ministry.

Exploring Candidate Date

The exploring candidate sends a copy of the report to the Vocational Discernment CoordinatorVocational Discernment Coordinator A Board of Ordained Ministry member who guides and supports individuals as they discern God's call to ministry, coordinates the United Methodist candidacy process, and equips mentors and church leaders to accompany candidates exploring paths of service as laity, licensed local pastors, deacons, or elders. AND to the District Committee on Ministry.