Holston Conference Board of Ordained Ministry Candidacy Process - Step-by-Step PRE-CANDIDACY Individual Preparation (to be completed by December 2) • Read and discuss The Christian As Minister with your pastor. • Must have been a member of United Methodist Church (or another recognized United Methodist
ministry setting, such as a campus ministry) for 1 year immediately preceding candidacy, including a year of service in some form of leadership.
BEGINNING CANDIDACY • • •
Send a letter to your District Superintendent, including a statement about your call, stating that you would like to begin the candidacy process. You will receive an email from notifications@umcares.org inviting you to login to www.umcares.org Most of the following steps of the process will be completed on this website. Complete the following forms:
1) Online Form: Candidacy Application
a) www.umcares.org 1 login to UMCARES 2 Choose “Mentors and Track” in the left-hand navigation 3 Open “Candidacy Track” 4 Candidacy Application Form is the first “Step” in the Candidacy “Track”
2) Online Form: Background Check
Holston Annual Conference uses Safe Gatherings to provide background checks for persons entering the candidacy process. In order to participate, the candidate will go to: A.) www.safegatherings.com and choose “Get Started” from the menu bar. B.) On the register page, the candidate will: 1. Choose Your Type of Organization: from the drop down “Church or Faith Based Organization.” 2. This brings up the option: “To what denomination does your church or congregation belong?” Choose from the drop down menu: “Methodist” 3. Select the state/province for your organization: Choose “Tennessee” 4. Type: “Candidates for Ministry” the city should autofill to “Alcoa” 5. Continue to complete the page, and then click next. C.) On the next Registration page, complete appropriate fields. 1. On Applicant Type choose: “Candidates” from the drop down menu. 2. Since we require a DMV check, you should also check the box: “My ministry role will include driving, so I need a DMV check included in my background check.” 3. Enter your Driver’s License info in the appropriate fields. 4. Click Next Revised 12/04/2019
D.) On the next Registration page, complete all appropriate fields and then click NEXT. E.) On the next Registration page, complete all appropriate fields and then click NEXT 1. In the field: “Primary Area of Ministry” type Candidate 2. In the field: “Number of years attending” enter the number of years you have been a United Methodist. 3. It is important to indicate whether or not you have lived outside your current state within the last 7 years. i. If you select YES you will be prompted to enter other out of state addresses. Enter ALL addresses from out of state by continuing to click: “Add another address” ii. Once all other addresses have been entered, then click NEXT F.) On the next Registration page, answer all questions and then press NEXT G.) On the next Registration page, enter the names of two references and check the three boxes at the bottom of the page. Click on NEXT H.) You are now at the background check disclosure and authorization pages. Please review the Disclosure Regarding Background Investigation, and click next to provide your authorization to conduct the background checks. In the Authorization page you will be required read, check the appropriate boxes, and type your name on the Applicant Signature line. I.) The final page of the registration process will be the confirmation that your application cost has been paid for by the Conference. Click “Continue” where you will be taken to your applications status page. At the bottom of the status box is a blue button “Click here for training course”. Please also complete the Safe Gatherings Abuse Prevention training course.”
3) Form: Candidate’s Disclosure Form
a) FORM 16: Notarized Disclosure Form b) Download and print form. c) Complete form and bring form to Candidacy Summit 1 Can be notarized prior to the Summit or by Notary at the Summit
4) Form 103 : Medical Report of Ministerial Candidate a) Form 103: Medical Report of Ministerial Candidate b) Download, print and complete form online
c) d) e) f) g)
Print Sign Have witness sign Have physician complete medical exam and examiner’s portion of form Bring form to Candidacy Summit
5) Online Form: MAS (Ministerial Assessment Specialist) Selection a) www.umcares.org 1 login 2 Choose “Mentors and Track” in the left-hand navigation 3 Open “Psychological Assessment Track” 4 “MAS Selection” is the first “Step” in the Psychological Assessment “Track” b) Mail in (or bring to Summit) $200 check for psychological assessment 1 Office of Clergy Services P.O. Box 850 Alcoa, TN 37701-0850
6) Online Form: Release of Psychological Assessment Information a) UMCARES Psychological Assessment Track
Revised 12/04/2019
7) Online Form or Download: Guidebook request a) UMCARES Candidacy Track b) $75 payable online
8) Online Form: Personal Data Inventory a) UMCARES Psychological Assessment Track
9) Online Form: Effective Ministry 360 (EM360)
a) UMCARES Candidacy Track b) Watch videos and follow step-by-step instructions c) Upload EM360 Feedback Report 1 Uploaded Files link under EM360 step (last thing before comments on step)
10) Form: Candidacy Summit Registration Form
a) FORM: Candidacy Summit Registration form b) Mail Registration Form and $50 for the Summit to: 1 Office of Clergy Services P.O. Box 850 Alcoa, TN 37701-0850 c) Mail in housing fee (see registration form) 1 Office of Clergy Services P.O. Box 850 Alcoa, TN 37701-0850
CANDIDACY SUMMIT (Saturday, January 11, 2020 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) • • •
Orientation to Ministry Group Mentoring Session 1 Psychological Assessment administration (if not already completed online
GROUP MENTORING (January – May) •
Candidates must attend: o Session 1 – Candidacy Summit, Saturday January 11, 2020 o Session 2 – Date TBD o Session 3 – Date TBD o Session 4 – Date TBD o Session 5 – Date TBD o Session 6 – Date TBD
CERTIFICATION PROCESS (Prior to July 15 for Local Pastor Licensing School and Ministerial Education Fund Qualification) 1 Psychological Assessment Interview a. MAS will schedule with you Interview with church’s Pastor Parish or Staff Parish Relations Committee (or equivalent for campus ministry) a. Provide written statement of call b. Become familiar with Wesley’s Historic Questions in ¶310.1.d in The 2016 United Methodist Revised 12/04/2019 2
Book of Discipline ahead of time, along with any other information the Committee requests. i. Form 01: Declaration of Candidacy for Licensed or Ordained Ministry and Approval of the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee 3
Approval by church’s Charge Conference (or equivalent). a. Form 02: Initial Approval of the Charge Conference for Certification as a Candidate b. Take to Charge Conference c. Secure required signatures d. Submit form to the District Superintendent
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Mentor report to DCOM Registrar a. FORM 04a: Report of Candidacy Summit – Mentor and Candidate
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DCOM Interview a. Written responses to questions in ¶310.2.a in The 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline and any other information requested by your DCOM b. DCOM will interview person using format found in DCOM Handbook: Certified Candidate
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Online Form: Report of Completion a. UMCARES Candidacy Track i. Mentor Responsibility 1. Please remind your Group Mentor to complete this step
Revised 12/04/2019