1. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: REV. MEG LASSIAT DIRECTOR OF CANDIDACY, MENTORING, AND CONFERENCE RELATIONS MLASSIAT@GBHEM.ORG 615-340-7374@MEGLASSIAT Process for Candidacy, Licensing, Provisional Membership, and Ordination

2. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder  Obtain high school diploma or certificate of equivalency  Professing member of UMC or baptized participant of a recognized UM campus ministry or other UM ministry setting for at least one year  Request admission to candidacy and assignment of candidacy mentor from the district superintendent and register online in the Candidacy Application System  Receive recommendation from S/P-PRC or equivalent body specified by dCOM  Write statement of call and be interviewed in light of Wesley’s historic questions, ¶ 310.1d  Approved by 2/3 written ballot of charge conference or body specified by dCOM  Continue education and candidacy studies with the mentor

3. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder 1.Submit written response to questions in ¶310.2(a) providing evidence of understanding and expectation concerning:  The most formative years of their Christian life  God’s call to licensed or ordained ministry and the role of the church in their call  Their beliefs as a Christian  Their gifts for ministry  Their present understanding of their call to ministry as elder, deacon, or licensed ministry  Their support system

4. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder 2.Complete required background checks 3.Complete psychological assessment, if not done before 4.Provide other information upon request 5.Agree to highest ideals of Christian life as set forth in ¶¶101-104 and ¶¶160-166 (Social Principles) 6.Examination and approval by dCOM on Form 113 (3/4 approval on written ballot, ¶666.6)

5. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder 1.Annual recommendation by charge conference 2.Annual written report by candidacy mentor to dCOM 3.Annual school transcripts to dCOM 4.Annual interview and renewal by dCOM (¶313)

6. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder Qualifications:  Certified Candidate  Complete BOM-sponsored Orientation to Ministry (¶312) Education:  Completed studies for license as a local pastor or 1/3 of the work for the Master of Divinity degree  Continuing progress in the Course of Study or M.Div. degree Each Local Pastor Shall:  Be interviewed and recommended annually by dCOM  Be supervised by a DS  Be assigned a clergy mentor while in the Course of Study or seminary  Receive a license for pastoral ministry while appointed

7. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder Requirements for Licensed Local Pastors Preparing to Become Elders ¶324.6  Minimum forty years of age  Satisfied all requirements of Sections 1-3 and 7-14 of ¶324, which includes bachelor degree or equivalent  Completed five-year Course of Study  Completed 32 hours graduate theological study or equivalent (Advanced Course of Study)  Including United Methodist history, doctrine, and polity

8.  Minimum forty years of age  Served four years as full-time local pastor (or equivalent)  Completed five-year Course of Study  Completed minimum 60 hours toward B. A. or equivalent  Recommended by dCOM and BOM  Agree to accept full-time continuing appointment  Satisfy BOM regarding physical health  Required psychological reports, criminal background and credit checks  Completed written doctrinal examination (¶324.9)  Prepared a written sermon on suggested Bible passage. Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder

9. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder Requirements for Provisional Membership for Deacons ¶324 Qualifications:  Certified Candidate for at least one (1) year, maximum 12 years  Demonstrated his or her gifts for ministries of service and leadership to the satisfaction of the dCOM (¶324.2)  Complete BOM-sponsored Orientation to Ministry (¶312) Education:  Bachelor’s degree  Theological master’s degree, or  Master’s in specialized ministry  Including basic graduate theological studies (minimum 24 hours) within cohesive program  A person may be eligible for provisional membership after completing ½ of graduate education, including ½ of BGTS

10. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder Requirements for Provisional Membership for Deacons ¶324  Present a certificate of good health  Submit candidate disclosure Form 114  Complete a written doctrinal examination  Submit an autobiographical statement to the BOM  Be interviewed by the dCOM and recommended in writing to the BOM by a 3/4 majority vote (¶324.10)  Be interviewed by the BOM and recommended to the clergy session by a 2/3 majority vote (¶324.14) of the BOM  Receive approval from the clergy session

11. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder Requirements for Provisional Membership for Deacons ¶324 Alternative Education for Deacon in Full Connection:  Thirty-five years of age  Bachelor’s degree  Certification or license in area of service (minimum of eight graduate hours)  Basic graduate theological studies (minimum of 24 hours)

12. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder Requirements for Provisional Membership for Elders ¶324 Qualifications:  Certified Candidate for at least one (1) year, maximum 12 years  Demonstrated his or her gifts for ministries of service and leadership to the satisfaction of the dCOM (¶324.2)  Complete BOM-sponsored Orientation to Ministry (¶312) Education:  Bachelor’s degree  Master of Divinity including basic graduate theological studies (minimum of 24 hours) from a University Senate-approved seminary  A person may be eligible for provisional membership after completing ½ of graduate education, including ½ of BGTS

13. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Provisional Member Ordination Deacon Elder Requirements for Provisional Membership for Elders ¶324 Each Candidate Shall:  Present a certificate of good health  Submit Candidate Disclosure form 114  Complete a doctrinal examination and autobiographical statement  Be interviewed by the dCOM and recommended in writing to the BOM by a 3/4 majority vote (¶324.10)  Be interviewed by the BOM and recommended to the clergy session by a 2/3 majority vote (¶324.14)  Receive approval of clergy session

14.  Certified Candidacy – 3/4 majority, written ballot (dCOM)  Continuing Candidacy –majority (dCOM)  Licensing and Continuing –majority (dCOM)  Associate Membership – majority vote of Clergy Session  Associate to Provisional Membership – 3/4 majority of Clergy Session  Provisional Membership Recommendation – 3/4 majority of dCOM and 2/3 majority of BOM  Provisional Membership Approval – majority vote of Clergy Session  Full Membership Recommendation – 2/3 vote of the BOM  Full Membership Approval – 2/3 vote of Clergy Session Required Votes

15. Application Exploration with Candidacy Mentor S/P-PRC and Charge Conference Recommendations Affirmation and Supervision of dCOM Certification, Withdrawal or Denial Approval for Local Pastor License and Continuance The Stages of Candidacy

16. Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Local Pastor License Commissioned Minister Provisional Membership Ordained DeaconElder The Candidacy and Ordination Process for Licensed or Ordained Ministry Associate Membership

17. The Big Picture MENTOR Assist in Discernment, Facilitate Reflection & Growth, Guide & Counsel, Report DS Receive Written Application (letter), Nominate Guides & Mentors, Approve Service Appointments BOM Receive Candidate from dCOM, Interview, Defer or Recommend for Provisional membership dCOM Enlist, Assign Mentors, Examine, Certify GBHEM-DOM Enrollment, Psychological Assessment, Consultant REGISTRAR Train, Interpret, Record Keeping, Reports Candidate LOCAL CHURCH Identify Candidates, Approve Entry

18. QUESTIONS and RESOURCES GBHEM Candidacy Office Online Candidacy Application System (OCAS) - canapply.gbhem.org Enlistment or Candidacy questions - candidacy@gbhem.orgcandidacy@gbhem.org Psychological Assessment questions - assessmentcoordinator@gbhem.org assessmentcoordinator@gbhem.org Phone – 615-340-7374