Candidacy for Ordained Ministry

One Step At a Time...

It's expected that not all candidates will enter into candidacy with a clear picture of the end in sight. That's okay; good, even! The hope is that this process provides opportunities for reflection, discussion, and experimentation that assist each candidate in their discernment of call, whether to vocational ministry or committed lay leadership.

The best outcome is not necessarily completing the process in the shortest amount of time, but rather discovering the most life-giving vocational path for you and taking steps toward making that a reality.

Is This Resource For Me?

This resource is designed to provide an overview of the timeline and requirements for candidacy for ordained ministry in the Cal-Pac Annual Conference of the UMC.

This might be a help to you if...

... you are just beginning to consider the possibility

of ordained ministry as a viable vocational path;

... you have spoken with your pastor about entering into candidacy

but want to get a better idea of the investment you'll be making;

... you are knee-deep in the process and need a refresher

on what comes next or who to call with a specific question.

An inquiring candidate

The first person who should officially affirm the candidate's call, or desire to enter into formal discernment about vocational ministry, is the candidate's pastor or campus minister. It is required that the candidate has been a member "in good standing" in a United Methodist Church or campus ministry for at least one year.

With the support of the pastor, the candidate, then, writes a formal letter to their District Superintendent requesting to become a declared candidate. This letter should briefly describe the candidate's spiritual formation/faith journey and what, now, is prompting them to pursue ordained ministry (i.e. their call). It should be no more than one page in length.

Orientation to Ministry

Early on in the process, the candidate should attend an Orientation to Ministry (formerly Candidacy Summit).

In addition to being a requirement for candidacy, the Orientation provides the candidate the opportunity to:

• meet key Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) leadership and staff
• get to know other candidates in the process
• learn about the different tracks of licensed and ordained ministry
• have questions and concerns addressed by people with answers or access to answers!

A Declared Candidate

Once the DS has received the letter of interest, he or she may desire to meet with the candidate.

With the support of the DS, the candidate will be and assigned a mentor by their District Office.

The candidate, then, works with their assigned mentor to fulfill the requirements toward becoming a Certified Candidate.

(It is typical for a candidate to take between nine months to one year to fulfill the requirements necessary to move from Declared Candidacy to Certified Candidacy, outlined on the next slide.)

Requirments of a Declared Candidate

Many of the following will be outlined on the candidate's portal in UMCARES.org, and will be checked off by candidate and mentor as items are completed and submitted:

• attend mentor meetings
• complete reading and writing assignments
• take Tier I Psych Assessment (requested through UMCARES, scheduled and proctored by your mentor)
• have Tier I Psych Assessment read at an in-person interview at the Samaritan Center (cost to candidate at the time of the interview $190)
• meet with local church Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) to request recommendation to Charge Conference
• meet with local church Charge Conference to request recommendation to District Committee on Ordained Ministry

Once the requirements have been met, the candidate may request an interview with their DCOM to become a Certified Candidate.

The first of many interviews

Once the candidate has completed the requirements to interview for certification, the registrar of the DCOM will send the candidate information regarding required paperwork to submit prior to receiving an invitation to interview with the committee to be approved for certification.

This is a formal, professional interview. As with any job interview, the members of the committee are looking for potential colleagues who demonstrate maturity, clear communication, and self-awareness.

AND, in this first interview, the committee wants to get to know the candidate as they are in this stage of their journey. It is completely appropriate to name what knowledge or experience is still needed, or to acknowledge places of ongoing intentional discernment.

For this interview, the candidate should be prepared to share their call story and answer questions about their hopes and vision for future ministry, as well as what past experiences are motivating their pursuit of ordination.

For guidance in crafting your call story, see Understanding God's Call: A Ministry Inquiry Process.

Expectations and Timeline for a Certified Candidate

Though it hasn't been stated until now, it is important to note that every candidate's process will look different from another.

While there are defined steps that must be taken in a particular order, many will be completed on an individual's own timeline.

No one way is the right way. However, there are some boundaries to stay aware of and some recommendations for efficiency:

• A Certified Candidate will need to secure the support of their SPRC and Charge Conference each year, as well as to meet with their DCOM for re-certification. (The re-certification interview is an opportunity to update the DCOM on the candidate's progress, continued discernment, and reflection on new experiences in and outside of ministry.)

• A candidate will need to become certified at least one year before becoming eligible for commissioining. Those who wish to be commissioned out of seminary (the same summer as graduation) will need to become certified by the end of their seond year if attending school full-time.

• A candidate's certification is valid for up to 12 years contingent upon annual re-certification. After 12 years the process must be started over.

• A Certified Candidate may opt out of candidacy at any time. There is no penalty for beginning the process then discerning a different path.

United Methodist Seminaries

There are 13 United Methodist Seminaries throughout the nation. While a candidate need not attend a UM school, there are some benefits, which include:

• scholarships for UM students and candidates
• tailored degree programs with required UM courses
• courtesy mentoring*
• greater opportunities connected to the denomination for study and experience (i.e. history courses that meet in England, polity classes that attend General Conference, etc.)
• deeper relationships to UM faculty, clergy, agencies, and Annual Conferences.

*frequently, candidates who attend schools outside of their own Annual Conferences may request a courtesy mentor

who serves in the mentoring role while a candidate completes their degree.

**It is recommended that candidates earn their MDiv or BGTS (basic graduate theological studies) from a University Senate approved seminary.

The list of approved schools can be found here: https://www.gbhem.org/students/seminary/list-of-approved-seminaries/

United Methodist Seminaries

• Boston University School of Theology (Boston, MA) - bu.edu/sth
• Candler School of Theology (Atlanta, GA) - candler.emory.edu
• Claremont School of Theology (Claremont, CA/Salem, OR) - cst.edu
• Drew University Theological School (Madison, NJ) - drew.edu/theological-school
• Duke Divinity School (Durham, NC) - divnity.duke.edu
• Gammon Theological Seminary (Atlanta, GA) - gammon-itc.org
• Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Evanston, IL) - garrett.edu
• Iliff School of Theology (Denver, CO) - iliff.edu
• Methodist Theological School in Ohio (Delaware, OH) - mtso.edu
• Perkins School of Theology (Dallas, TX; Houston-Galveston extension) - smu.edu/perkins
• St. Paul School of Theology (Kansas City, KS; Oklahoma City, OK) - spst.edu
• United Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH) - unitedseminary.edu
• Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, D.C.) - wesleyseminary.edu

Courses Required by the Annual Conference

The United Methodist Book of Discipline requires that particular coursework be completed by a candidate within their MDiv program or as a supplement to their degree should it not be offered at their accredited school of theology (par. 324.4). While some Annual Conferences require more than these listed, no conference may require fewer. The Cal-Pac Conference requires the minimum standard with courses in:

Old Testament Evangelism

New Testament Worship/Liturgy

Theology UM Polity

Church History UM History

Mission of the Church in the World UM Theology

Each seminary will have its own requirements for degree completion.

A student should be prepared to take some of these courses for elective credit.

Getting Real About Expenses...

Whether for pastors or doctors, unfortunately, graduate school is an expensive endeavor.

The cost of tuition for a full-time student might range between $17,000 and $22,000 per year (which does not include books, fees, or room and board). Schools estimate the cost of living for a seminary student at closer to $35,000 or $40,000 per year. Now, for the good news...

• Many seminaries have full- and partial-tuition scholarships for students and especially for UM certified candidates.
• The UM General Board of Higher Education and Ministry also provides scholarships and matching funds for UM students. (https://www.gbhem.org/loans-scholarships/scholarships/)
• The Cal-Pac BOM also has modest scholarships available (http://www.calpacumc.org/bom/scholarships/)
• And, local churches may also be encouraged to support candidates for ministry.
• Financial aid officers at any seminary will be able to help a student find access to needed funds beyond student loans.
• Attending school part-time, or enrolling in a more flexible hybrid program may also allow a candidate to continue working while studying.

Flexibility for Deacons

Those who are pursuing deacon's orders, because of the nature of specialized ministries to which deacons are called, may forgo the 3-year Master of Divinity for an approved 2-year Master degree in a field related to their area of ministry. (I.e. MA in Religious Education, a Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, etc.)

Exception may also be made for those who are over 35 with professional licensing or certification in their area of ministry with a minimum of eight hours of graduate academic credit.

All clergy, however, must complete the basic graduate theological studies of the Christian faith as outlined previously under Required Courses. And, all exceptions should be cleared with the BOM through the Registrar.

Assessing for Readiness

At this point in one's candidacy, the official bodies appointed by the District and Conference will be testing the candidate for readiness to serve in leadership as a Deacon or Elder. To do so, both the DCOM and BOM evaluate the candidate through written papers and an in-person interview in which a candidate responds to particular questions about theology, the practice of ministry, self-care and care of others, professional ethics, and call.

These means of examination provide the licensing body (the Annual Conference) with the necessary confirmation of competence and confidence in the Candidate to lead church and community organizations under the authority of the Annual Conference. As such, they are reviewed and assessed with the seriousness and faithfulness appropriate to this task.

A Helpful Approach to Exams and Interviews

There is no denying that the process leading up to commissioning and ordination is long and arduous. And while it may sometimes feel as if the requirements are overly cumbersome or the process overly rigid, it is important to remember that this is not just an application for a job, but an opportunity to demonstrate one's readiness to be entrusted with the spiritual development and well-being of individuals and communities both within and outside United Methodist contexts.

These opportunities to demonstrate readiness can help a serious candidate focus their vision and strengthen their foundations for ministry in preparation for the work ahead. A healthy appreciation for the purpose of these exams and interviews will help a candidate to produce their best, most authentic and faithful work, which in turn will allow the DCOM and BOM to discern the true gifts and call of the candidate, as well.

Specifics by District

Continuation

Application

Written Exam/Papers

Commissioning Interview

Returning to the Care of the DCOM

Continuation

Those who do not receive sufficient scores on their written exam, or who are not discerned to demonstrate readiness in their interview, will be notified of their continuation by the Provisional Registrar, and provided with reflections and guidance as to how to focus their time and attention in the following year prior to their next application.

These candidates then return to the "care of their DCOM" to discern the application process again in the following application year.

North District Contacts

Rev. James Powell.. North District Superintendent

Dorrell Atteberry... North District Administrative Secretary

northdistrict@calpacumc.org

818.882.8005

Rev. Alma Johnson-Hawkins... North DCOM Registrar

northdcomregistrar@gmail.com

Rev. Dr. Walt Dilg ... North DCOM Chair

northdcomchairperson@gmail.com

East District Contacts

Rev. Melissa Mackinnon... East District Superintendent

Karen Britten... East District Administrative Secretary

eastdistrict@calpacumc.org

909.984.7100/909.984.5200

Rev. Hee Jung Yu... East DCOM Registrar

eastdistrictcom@gmail.com

Rev. Matt Seargeant... East DCOM Chair

revmatt@chinoumc.org

South District Contacts

Rev. John Farley... Dean of Cabinet & South District Superintendent

Rev. Paige Eaves... Assistant District Director (peaves@calpacumc.org)

Susan Naslund... South District Administrative Secretary

southdistrict@calpacumc.org

619.239.9980

Rev. Melissa Rusler... South DCOM Registrar

revotter@yahoo.com

Rev. Christian DeMent... South DCOM Chair

sddcomchairperson@gmail.com

West District Contacts

Rev. Mark Nakagawa... West District Superintendent

Polly Sablan... West District Administrative Secretary

westdistrict@calpacumc.org

562.429.1441

Rev. Greg Douglass ... West DCOM Registrar

greatscottrev@aol.com

Rev. Dr. Wayne Walters... West DCOM Chair

pastorwayne@palisadesmethodist.org

Hawaii District Contacts

Rev. Moonyoung Lee... Hawaii District Superintendent

Sonya Lee... Hawaii District Administrative Secretary

hawaiidistrict@calpacumc.org

808.536.1864

Rev. Son Hye Kim...Hawaii DCOM Registrar

pastorsonhye@gmail.com

Rev. Dr. Fran Wiebenga... Hawaii DCOM Chair

revdrfran.w@gmail.com