Journey Phase 3 Checklist: Declared Candidate

• Have completed a high school degree or equivalent.

• Request a Letter of Recommendation from Your Pastor (or equivalent designated leader).

  Work with your pastor to schedule your interview with the S/PPRCStaff/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 (or equivalent leadership body) and determine the date of the 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. where your recommendation will be considered. The S/PPRC Recommendation must be within one year of the DCOM interview

• Provide the following to your pastor and S/PPRC chair.
  • S/PPRC Candidacy Approval and Recommendation Form with the top portion filled out.
  • Ministry Involvement Statement
  • Statement of Call
  • Your written Reflection on Wesley's historic questions (¶310.1.d)
  • S/PPRC Candidacy Approval and Recommendation Form
  • Reflecting on Wesley's Historic Questions
• Meet with the S/PPRC (or equivalent leadership body) to discuss your call, faith, gifts, ministry involvement, and readiness to continue the candidacy process. Approval is by two-thirds vote by written ballot.
• Receive a copy of the completed S/PPRC Candidacy Approval and Recommendation Form for your records. Keep a signed copy in your candidacy file.
• The S/PPRC Chair or your pastor will present the committee's recommendation to the Charge Conference. Provide them with a copy of your Declaration of Candidacy: Charge Conference or Equivalent Body Recommendation (GBHEM Form 104) with the top portion filled out. Keep a signed copy in your candidacy file.
  • GBHEM Form 104 (Candidacy Process Forms and Documents)GBHEM

• Credit Check / Background Check (Validity) - This form is submitted to the Rio Texas Conference. A letter summarizing results will be sent directly to the District Committee on Ministry from the conference.
• Medical Summary Report of Ministerial Candidate (GBHEM Form 103) - This report is completed by your doctor and submitted to the District Committee on Ministry
  • GBHEM Form 103 (Candidacy Process Forms and Documents)GBHEM
• Psychological Assessment

  The candidate submits a Personal Data Inventory, Self Recommendation and 3 other recommendations by non family members to start this process. Psychological evaluations are only good for four years and can be used for both DCOM and BOM interviews provided that it is within the four year period. A Psychological Testing Orientation will be held to explain the process and answer questions. DCOMs usually meet in mid-fall and mid-spring. Allow a couple of months to complete this evaluation.

When you are ready to make a formal declaration of your candidacy by requesting consideration to become a Certified Candidate, you must request a meeting with the [[dcom|District Committee on Ordained Ministry]]. When you schedule your meeting ask to be consideration to become a Certified Candidate as a Licensed Local Pastor, Candidate for Elder Track or Candidate for Deacon Track

• Keep a copy of each of these for your file.

  Biographical Information Form (GBHEM Form 102)
  • GBHEM Form 102 (Candidacy Process Forms and Documents)GBHEM
• Medical Summary Report (GBHEM Form 103)
• Declaration of Candidacy: Charge Conference (GBHEM Form 104)
• Application for Clergy Relationship (GBHEM Form 105)
  • GBHEM Form 105 (Candidacy Process Forms and Documents)GBHEM
• Candidate's Misconduct Disclosure (GBHEM Form 114) - Notarized
  • GBHEM Form 114 (Candidacy Process Forms and Documents)GBHEM
• Recommendation of Your Senior Pastor
• S/PPRC Candidacy Approval and Recommendation Form - Including your answers to Wesley's Historic Questions
  • S/PPRC Candidacy Approval and Recommendation Form
• HS diploma, GED, or proof of graduation
• College Transcripts (undergraduate and graduate, if applicable) - Unofficial transcripts for work still in progress. Official transcripts for when degree is completed.
• Your Revised Statement of Call - Include Name and Date in the header
  • Revisiting Your Statement of Call
• Candidate Reflection on Call, Faith, and Readiness for Ministry (¶310.2a)

  (i) the most formative experience of your Christian life;

  (ii) God's call to licensed or ordained ministry and the role of the church in your call;

  (iii) your beliefs as a Christian;

  (iv) your gifts for ministry;

  (v) your present understanding of your call to ministry as elder, deacon, or licensed ministry; and

  (vi) your support system

  • Candidate Reflection on Call, Faith, and Readiness for Ministry
• Commitment to Highest Ideals of Christian Life and Ministry (¶304 & ¶320.2d)
• Psychological Reports, Criminal Background and Credit Checks results will be sent directly to the DCOM
• Current Safe Ministry CertificationOutside link