Steps into Ordained Ministry

Ordained ministers are called by God to a lifetime of servant leadership in specialized ministries among the people of God. Ordained ministers are called to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world, and the promise of God for creation. Within these specialized ministries, deacons are called to ministries of Word and Service, and elders are called to ministries of Service, Word, Sacrament, and Order.
—¶137, 2004 Book of Discipline

Candidacy for ordained ministry is the first formal step toward annual conference membership and ordination as a deacon or an elder in full connection or licensing in The United Methodist Church.

Click on the flyer for a PDF summary of the process, and read on for further detailed information.

The Inquiring Candidate

• To begin, a candidate contacts the pastor in a local church, another deacon or elder, or the DS to inquire about the process of candidacy. Persons are encouraged to use the resources The Christian as Minister and the Ministry Inquiry Process. These resources are available from Cokesbury, 1-800-672-1789.

Phase One (Application and Enrollment)

• After completing the above, the inquiring candidate who wishes to continue, applies to the district superintendent in writing for admission to the candidacy program. The person shall have been a member in good standing of The United Methodist Church for at least two (2) years immediately preceding application for candidacy, including a year of service in congregational leadership before applying.
• The candidate is assigned a candidacy mentor by the dCOM in consultation with the district superintendent.
• The candidacy mentor informs and assists the new candidate to log into the candidacy online application system to complete Form 101– New Candidate Application, order a Candidacy Guidebook, complete the Inventory of Religious Activities and Interests (IRAI), and pay the $75 enrollment fee which includes the cost of the Candidacy Guidebook and other administration expenses.
• The candidacy mentor helps the candidate examine the call of God in light of the biblical record, the role and function of United Methodist clergy, personal gifts and grace, and evidence of leadership. After completing the first two sections of the Candidacy Guidebook, the candidate makes a commitment to ministry as a deacon, elder, or local pastor. (¶311.1)

Phase Two (Declared Candidate)

• In order to become a certified candidate, a person shall have graduated from an accredited high school or received a certificate of equivalency. The candidate will then consult with the pastor and Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee sharing a written statement reflecting on the call and requesting recommendation for certification.
• The committee shall interview the candidate and make a recommendation to the charge conference.
• The charge conference votes whether to recommend the candidate to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry. The recommendation must be confirmed by a two-thirds majority vote. (¶311.2)

Phase Three (The Certified Candidate)

• The candidate appears before the dCOM for examination and approval after completing psychological assessment as required by the annual conference.
• The candidate submits a written response to questions regarding God’s call to ordained ministry; personal beliefs, gifts, and future usefulness; and understanding of the ministry of the deacon and elder in The United Methodist Church. (¶311.3b, c)
• The candidate agrees to maintain the highest ideals of Christian life as set forth in The Book of Discipline. (¶¶102-104; 160-166)
• The candidate releases required psychological reports, criminal background and credit checks and reports of child abuse. (¶311.3)

Local Pastor Studies (optional)

• A certified candidate may apply for license as a local pastor after completing studies prescribed by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry administered by the BOM or after completing onethird of the work for a master of divinity degree.
• Licensing studies are a prerequisite to appointment as a full-time, part-time, or student local pastor.
• A local pastor must make satisfactory progress in the Course of Study.

Candidacy Renewal

• The candidate’s progress must be reviewed through an annual interview and candidacy renewed annually by the dCOM on recommendation of the charge conference.
• A candidate who is enrolled as a student shall present an official transcript to the dCOM annually. The school must be recognized by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church.

Completion of Candidacy toward Probationary Membership and Commissioning

• Candidacy requirement: Each candidate shall have been a certified candidate for at least one (1) year and no more than twelve (12) years. (¶324.1)
• Service requirement: Each candidate shall have demonstrated his or her gifts for ministries of service and leadership to the satisfaction of the dCOM. (¶324.2)
• Undergraduate requirement: A candidate shall have completed a bachelor’s degree from a college or university recognized by the University Senate. Exceptions may be made, in consultation with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry:
  1. for persons who have a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours of credit
  2. for Master of Divinity graduates who have attended a college that is not recognized by the University Senate. (¶324.3)
• Graduate requirement:
  1. Candidates for deacon or elder shall have completed a minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate theological studies (BGTS) in the areas of Old Testament, New Testament, theology, church history, mission, worship/liturgy, evangelism, and United Methodist doctrine, polity, and history. These courses may be included within or in addition to a seminary degree.
  2. A candidate for elder shall have received one-half of the studies toward a Master of Divinity or its equivalent including one-half of the BGTS from a seminary listed by the University Senate.
  3. A candidate for deacon shall have received one-half of the studies of a master’s degree from a University Senate-approved school or received a master’s degree in the area of ministry in which one will serve and completed one-half of the BGTS. (¶324.4)
• Alternate routes to ordination:
  1. See Discipline ¶324.5 for alternate route for deacons.
  2. See Discipline ¶324.6 for route for licensed local pastors.
• Other requirements: Each candidate shall
  1. present a satisfactory certificate of health;
  2. respond to a written and oral doctrinal examination;
  3. provide a written concise autobiographical statement;
  4. be interviewed and recommended by a three-fourths majority vote of the dCOM;
  5. submit a form provided by the BOM with a notarized statement detailing any written accusations or convictions for felony, misdemeanor, or incident of sexual misconduct or child abuse; and
  6. have a personal interview with the BOM. (¶324.8-14)

Full Membership and Ordination as a Deacon or an Elder

• A candidate who has been a probationary member for at least three (3) full annual conference years following completion of educational requirements may be admitted into membership in full connection in annual conference and ordained as a deacon or an elder. (¶330 and 335)
• A candidate for the order of deacon who has
  1. served under Episcopal appointment in a ministry of service the entire probationary period;
  2. been supervised throughout the probationary period by a district superintendent and by the BOM; and
  3. responded to an examination administered by the BOM on the covenantal relationship to God, the church, and the order of deacon, the understanding of diaconia, servant leadership, and the interrelatedness of the church and the world
  may be recommended by the BOM to the clergy session for ordination as deacon in full connection. (¶330)
• A candidate for elder who has
  1. served full time under Episcopal appointment the entire probationary period;
  2. been supervised throughout the probationary period by a district superintendent and the BOM;
  3. satisfied the BOM regarding physical, mental, and emotional health;
  4. prepared a sermon on a passage specified by the BOM and presented a plan for teaching a book of the Bible; and
  5. responded to an examination administered by the BOM in the areas of theology and vocation
  may be recommended to the clergy session for ordination as elder. (¶335)
• Elders may be appointed to serve in ministry settings beyond the local United Methodist Church in the witness and service of Christ’s love and justice (extension ministries). (¶343)