Becoming a Certified Candidate
As a person feels the promptings of the Holy Spirit to explore vocational ministry, an Elder,Deacon, or Local Pastor should be contacted for the prayerful reading and discussion of the book The Christian as Minister (available at Cokesbury or in each church library).
If a candidate, after prayer, discernment with a pastor, and completion of The Christian as Minister, is led to continue exploration of vocational ministry, at this point they write a letter to the District Superintendent and District Committee of Ministry Chair to indicate continuation in the process.
As the pastor and candidate discern together God’s calling, the following United Methodist disciplinary requirements should be understood:
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Those seeking to begin candidacy for licensed or ordained ministry shall have been professing members in good standing of The United Methodist Church for at least one year immediately preceding the application for candidacy; including a year of service in some form of congregational leadership, either in the local church or one agreed to by the District Committee of Ordained Ministry.
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The candidate shall have been graduated from an accredited high school or received a certificate of equivalency.
If, after completing the Ministry Inquiry Process guidebook, a deeper assurance of calling is discerned and there is a desire to explore vocational ministry, contact should be made in writing to the District Superintendent and the District Committee of Ministry chair requesting assignment of a candidacy mentor. It is the candidate’s responsibility to make this written request.
The letter of request must state that the applicant has completed The Christian as Minister and name the person with whom it was discussed. The letter should also state the person with whom the applicant completed The Ministry Inquiry Process (although this is encouraged, it is not mandated by the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2012).
For additional information, contact your pastor.
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