Process Overview

Goals of Candidacy

Both you and the church have primary goals in this process:

Goals for the candidate

• Explore the vocational options of lay, licensed or ordained ministry within the UMC
• Understand the personal and professional ministry development needed to reach decisions that best reflects the individual’s gifts and graces and express a faithful response to God’s call while partnering with the annual conference to discernDiscern Synonymous with decide. Carries an underlying assumption that the decision is made with considerable thought, prayer, study, and attention to God’s call in one’s life. ways to serve in ministry

Goals for the annual conference and the general church

• Provide the environment and opportunity to discern God’s call
• Offer thoughtful resources and settings to examine and affirm personal and vocational gifts and choices, whether for lay, licensed or ordained ministry
• Enable the church to provide pastoral care to candidates and their families, friends and ministry settings
• Examine the calling, grace, gifts and potential effectiveness of those who present themselves as candidates for lay, licensed or ordained ministry
• Enlist, assess, encourage and recommend candidates with the potential to serve as effective clergy leaders

The call of God is not a destination but a lifelong journey of listening, responding, and being transformed.

Candidacy Timeline & Milestones

Journey Phase 1: Inquiring Candidate

1. Be Active. Explore your calling through service and leadership within the church. You must be a member of a UM church or campus ministry for one year.
2. Read Christian as Minister. Meet with a pastor to discuss your call to ministry. Read and discuss The Christian as Minister with your pastor. Pastor signs the Candidacy Summit Application
3. Initial District Contact. Send letter or email to District Superintendent/ District Office requesting entrance into candidacy. Interview with DSDistrict Superintendent (DS) Supervises the churches within a district of the annual conference. They serve as extensions of the bishop’s authority and supervise clergy within that district (¶419)..
4. Become Safe Ministry Certified. riotexas.org/safe
5. Apply to Candidacy Summit. riotexas.org/candidacy-summit

Journey Phase 2: Exploring Candidate

1. Prepare for and Attend Candidacy Summit. Invite a 3-5 person team who will pray for you during this journey. Read 1 Samuel 3, Esther 1-4; 8, Acts 9:1-31
2. Register with Passage UMC. 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. will register you with this General Board of Higher Education and Ministry database. You will affirm the email invitation to join.
3. Participate in Orientation to MinistryOrientation to Ministry Sponsored by the board of ordained ministry and required for all ministry candidates. Helps to build collegiality and develop an understanding of deacons’, elders’ and local pastors’ ministry (¶312). Group MentoringGroup Candidacy Mentoring The opportunity for candidates to meet with a candidacy mentor and a group of other candidates. Many conferences offer this structure to provide candidates opportunities to learn from mentors and each other.. 5 sessions following Candidacy Summit
4. Select Next Faithful Steps as Laity or Clergy

Journey Phase 3: Clergy Declared Candidate

1. SPPRCStaff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee (S/PPRC) The committee in each church that assists clergy and staff in setting leadership and service priorities. Evaluates and approves those beginning candidacy for licensed or ordained ministry from that congregation. (¶258.2). In the event of a One Board model of leadership the leadership board serves as the S/PPRC Interview & Recommendation. SPPRC Candidacy Approval and Recommendation Form
2. Called Charge ConferenceCharge Conference A local church meeting that includes members of the governing body (i.e. church council) and the clergy. It meets at least once a year to review goals, elect new leaders, set clergy salaries, and recommend persons for candidacy. It is typically facilitated by the district superintendent. Recommendation. Declaration of Candidacy Charge Conference Recommendation Form
3. DCOMDistrict Committee on Ordained Ministry (dCOM) Evaluates, certifies, and recommends to the board of ordained ministry all those applying for licensed or ordained ministry. The dCOM oversees all candidates within that district and supervises all matters related to candidacy and licensing. The committee interviews candidates, recommends candidates for provisional membership, and approves all local pastors serving within the district (¶666). Certification Interview (Fall / Spring Meetings). District Superintendent and DCOM will assign you a Candidacy/Clergy MentorCandidacy Mentor An ordained deacon, elder, associate member, or local pastor who has completed the Course of Study, trained to provide guidance to candidates. They are assigned a candidate by the district committee on ordained ministry and assist the candidate in understanding the process and further discerning their call as they become certified and licensed or provisional members (¶349).

A Simple Guide to Candidacy