Journey Phase 1 Checklist: Inquiring Candidate

• Perceive God’s call to ministry.
• Confirm your eligibility.

  Be an active professing member in good standing of The United Methodist Church or a baptized participant of a recognized United Methodist campus ministry or other United Methodist ministry setting for a minimum of one (1) year. (Book of DisciplineBook of Discipline (BOD) The United Methodist Church’s book of law. It includes historical information, doctrinal standards, and policies that can only be changed by General Conference. It is updated and reprinted to reflect decisions made by the General Conference. ¶ 310.1 a)

• Meet with your pastor to discuss your call to ministry.
• Read and discuss The Christian as Minister with a pastor.Reading
  • Available from Cokesbury
• Have your pastor sign the Candidacy Summit Application

  Available from the Rio Texas Conference Website.

  • Candidacy Summit Application

• Contact District Superintendent or District Office to request entrance into candidacy (Book of DisciplineBook of Discipline (BOD) The United Methodist Church’s book of law. It includes historical information, doctrinal standards, and policies that can only be changed by General Conference. It is updated and reprinted to reflect decisions made by the General Conference. ¶ 310.1 b)

  Your email should include the following:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Name of your United Methodist church or campus ministry
  • Your pastor’s name and contact information
  • Ministry Involvement - A description of your ministry involvement and its fruitfulness.
    • What ministry activities have you participated in or led?
    • How have you seen God working through your ministry?
  • Statement of Call - A half-page describing your call to ministry.
  • A request for a conversation with the District Superintendent and request for signature on your Candidacy Summit Application.

• Submit your completed Application and $200 registration fee by the published date. Include the following:
  • Candidacy Summit Application signed by your pastor and District Superintendent.
  • Candidate’s Disclosure Form (GBHEM Form 114): not sent with the application. The signed and notarized form goes to the DCOM.
  • Ministry Involvement Statement
  • Statement of Call
  • Candidacy Summit Application (riotexas.org)
  • GBHEM Form 114 (Candidacy Process Forms and Documents)GBHEM
• Bring the signed Validity background-check authorization to Candidacy Summit. It is collected there in person.

• Safe Ministry Certification.Outside link
  • riotexas.org/safe

In preparation for Candidacy Summit Complete the following assignments:

• Build a prayer teamYour list

  Invite 3-5 people to serve as your prayer team throughout your candidacy journey.

• Scripture reflectionJournal

  Read and reflect on these passages about God’s call:

  • 1 Samuel 3
  • Esther 1-4; 8
  • Acts 9:1-31.

  Journal Reflection: Read the call narratives above, then explore additional call stories throughout Scripture. As you reflect, consider these questions:

  • Which call narrative resonates most deeply with your own experience? Why?
  • Which story feels the least like your own journey? What makes it different?
  • Do you see elements of your calling reflected in more than one biblical story?
  • What do these stories reveal about the many ways God calls people into ministry?

  Take time to journal about your reflections. Rather than looking for a single "right" story, notice the patterns, questions, surprises, and movements of the Holy Spirit that emerge. How is God continuing to shape your understanding of your call today?

• Reading assignment

  Read Answering the Call: Candidacy GuidebookReading
  • Introduction, pgs. 11-13 - Calling
  • Chapter 4 - Spiritual Disciplines

  You will be emailed a link to the PDF of this book. You will receive a hardcopy at the Candidacy Summit.

• Acquaint yourself with the structure of 2020/2024 United Methodist Book of DisciplineBook of Discipline (BOD) The United Methodist Church’s book of law. It includes historical information, doctrinal standards, and policies that can only be changed by General Conference. It is updated and reprinted to reflect decisions made by the General Conference.Reading
  • Read Part IV The Ministry of All Christians - Section 1: ¶120-¶124

  If you do not have a 2020/2024 United Methodist Book of Discipline you can access the free version on the Cokesbury website. You may also want to consider purchasing the 2020/24 edition.

  • Free Book of Discipline (Cokesbury on Issuu)