Navigating the Online Candidacy Process for Licensed or Ordained Ministry

1. . Navigating the Online Candidacy Processfor Licensed or Ordained Ministry

2. dCOM responsibilities ¶665, 2008 Book of Discipline • Assign candidacy mentor (with D.S.) to all candidates for licensed or ordained ministry • Supervise matters dealing with candidacy for ordination and licensing for local pastor • Counsel candidates and local pastor applicants regarding spiritual, experience and academic preparation for ministry • Review academic progress of candidates and applicants (receive annual transcripts and reports from college/seminary and District Superintendents) • Maintain service record and file on every local pastor and candidate until becomes associate or provisional member. Then forward to BOM registrar. • Approve service and leadership for certified candidates • Annual review interview and renewal of candidacy and licensing for local pastor • Oversee a process of supervision of personal and professional growth for local pastors • Examine all who apply for professional certification or renewal of certificate and renew certification for those who qualify • Examine all who apply to serve as Certified Lay Ministers and report annually to the annual conference a roster of all persons certified as lay ministers • Recommend to BOM persons who qualify for: Provisional membership Local pastor license and continuance Restoration of credentials Associate Membership

3. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Requirements for candidacy ¶311.1, 2008 Book of Discipline • Completed High School (or equivalent) • 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 in the Online Candidacy Application System • Request recommendation from S/P-PRC or equivalent body specified by dCOM • Submit statement of call and responses to Wesley’s historic questions, ¶ 310 • Be approved by 2/3 written ballot of charge conference or body specified by dCOM • Continue education and candidacy studies with the mentor

4. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder To become a Certified Candidate ¶311.2, 2008 Book of Discipline • Submit written response to questions in ¶311.2 (a) providing evidence of understanding and expectation concerning the following: • The most formative years of your Christian life • God’s call to licensed or ordained ministry and the role of the church in your call • Your personal belief as a Christian • Your personal gifts for ministry • Your understanding of your call to ministry as elder, deacon, or licensed ministry • Your support system

5. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder To become a Certified Candidate Complete required background checks Complete psychological assessment, if not done before Provide other information upon request Agree to highest ideals of Christian life as set forth in ¶¶101-104 and ¶¶160-166 Examination and approval by dCOM on Form 113 (3/4 approval on written ballot – see ¶665.6)

6. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Continuing candidacy • Annual recommendation by charge conference • Annual written report by candidacy mentor to dCOM • Annual school transcripts to dCOM • Annual interview and renewal by dCOM (¶312)

7. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Mentors ¶349, 2008 Book of Discipline • Recommended by the Cabinet • Selected and trained by, and accountable to, the BOM • Two categories of mentors: • Candidacy Mentors – clergy in full connection, associate members or full-time local pastors who have completed Course of Study • Clergy Mentors – same requirements as Candidacy Mentors • Candidates for certification are assigned a candidacy mentor by the dCOM. • Local pastors in the Course of Study are assigned a clergy mentor by the dCOM. Provisional Members are assigned a clergy mentor by the BOM.

8. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Licensed Local Pastor ¶315, 2008 Book of Discipline • Qualifications: • Certified Candidate • 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 Candidate 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

9. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Licensed Local Pastor Requirements for Licensed Local Pastors Preparing to Become Elders ¶324.6 • 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

10. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder • Forty years of age • Served four years as full-time local pastor • 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 (¶335.7) • Prepared a written sermon on suggested Bible passage associate member ¶322, 2008 Book of Discipline

11. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Provisional member 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) • Education: • Bachelor’s degree • Theological Master’s Degree, or • Master’s in specialized ministry • Including basic graduate theological studies (24 hours) within cohesive program (¶324.4a) • A person may be eligible for provisional membership after completing ½ of graduate education, including BGTS

12. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Provisional member Requirements for Provisional Membership for Deacons ¶324 • Each Candidate Shall: • 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 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)

13. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Provisional member 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 (24 hours)

14. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Provisional member 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) Education: • Bachelor’s degree • Master of Divinity including basic graduate theological studies (minimum of 24 hours) • A person may be eligible for provisional membership after completing ½ of graduate education, including BGTS

15. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Provisional member 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 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)

16. The Candidacy Process for Licensed or Ordained Ministry Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate

17. The Candidacy Process for Licensed or Ordained Ministry Certified Candidate Local Pastor License Continuing Candidacy Commissioned Minister Provisional Period Ordained Deacon Elder

18. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder INQUIRING Contact your local church pastor, another deacon or elder, or your district superintendent. Persons are encouraged to use these resources:

19. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder enrolling • The District Superintendent (DS) invites the candidate into the Online Candidacy Application System (OCAS) by clicking the INVITE CANDIDATES button (shown below) on their screen. Fill out the information on the invitation screen; then click the “Save & Invite” button at the bottom of the screen. • An email invitation will be sent by the system to the new candidate and a new record for that candidate will be created. • We recommend that all users of OCAS add • candidacy@gbhem.orgto their email • contact/address book to ensure receipt of all emails.

20. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder enrolling Canapply.gbhem.org OCAS is the system in which new candidates are enrolled. All users must log in using their email address and password to access the records in this system.

21. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder enrolling Canapply.gbhem.org If users forget their password, they may use the link provided on the log in screen to reset it.

22. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder enrolling New User Invitation Screen

23. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder enrolling Once the personal information is filled out, the candidate clicks the TASK tab (shown below) to move to their TASK LIST to begin the process. The items must be checked complete in the order that they appear. The application (Form 101) is task three on the list. The OCAS Invitation contains the following information: • A link to the OCAS Users manual to assist them in computer set-up; • Information about the next steps in the process; • A link which will log them into OCAS to allow them to create a password and fill out their Personal Information page;

24. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder The Task Screen enrolling

25. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder enrolling • Once the candidate has submitted their application (TASK 3) an email is sent to the DS requesting signature. • An email is also sent to the Candidacy Registrar (CR), and Mentor informing them of the new candidate. • After the DS signs the application a similar email is sent to the Mentor requesting signature. • Both e-signatures must be completed before the candidate can move to the next step.

26. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder enrolling Viewing the To Do List After logging in, both DS and Mentor are taken to the “Waiting on Me” screen which shows candidates that are “waiting” for a DS/Mentor related task to be completed. Click on the item in the TASK column of the candidate.

27. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder enrolling Signing an Application To view and sign the Form 101, click on the “signature” on the TASK list of the candidate. A pop up will appear in front of you. To view the application, click the Form 101 link (in blue). To sign the application, click the E-SIGN button on the bottom of the pop-up.

28. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder enrolling Once both the DS and Mentor has signed the candidate’s application the candidate will receive an email instructing them to pay their $75 candidacy fee. They may do so by clicking the next item on their task list.

29. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder The Psychological Assessment Phase

30. . Inquiring Enrolling Declaring Certified Candidate Continuing Candidacy Licensed Local Pastor Deacon Provisional Member Ordination Elder Psychological assessment • Mentors from conferences that use Nashville for psychological evaluation will receive a link to Form 112 “Request for Psychological Packet” The Online Candidacy Application System recognizes conferences that do not use Nashville for psychological evaluation. In this case, the candidate will be prompted to contact their conference to follow their specific instructions for this phase. • Upon completion of all phases of candidacy, the mentor will log into the system and complete Form 113 “District Committee Report.” By so doing, the action of the dCOM will be logged into the Candidate’s record and the “certification,” “delay,” or “denied” choice of the dCOM will be recorded and the process is complete.

31. The Big Picture LOCAL CHURCH Name, Nurture, Approve Candidates MENTOR Assist in Discernment, Facilitate Reflection & Growth, Guide & Counsel, Report REGISTRAR Train, Interpret, Record Keeping, Reports Candidate GBHEM-DOM Enrollment, Psychological Assessment, Consultant 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

32. General Board of Higher Education and Ministry P. O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 Main Phone: 615-340-7374 Fax: 615-340-7395 For Enlistment Questions: candidacy@gbhem.org For Psychological Assessment Questions: assessmentcoordinator@gbhem.org For Interpretation or other questions: Rev. Meg Lassiat Director of Candidacy, Mentoring, and Conference Relations 615-340-7372 mlassiat@gbhem.org Online Candidacy Application System web address: canapply.gbhem.org