Path to Ordained Ministry
Providing resources to candidates, pastors, and churches walking through the ordination process
Resources for Candidates
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Candidacy Checklist
Download the latest version of the candidacy checklist to help you stay on track for Ordained Ministry.
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Candidacy Guidebook
Download the latest version of the Candidacy Guidebook to review with your mentor.
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Book of Doctrine and Discipline
Download the latest version of the Book of Doctrine and Discipline as a great resource during the process.
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School of Ministry
Learn more about our School of Ministry and how to get signed up for the retreat and stand alone classes.
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Contact Information
Find contact information for the Board of Ministry, West Plains Conference, and Psychological Evaluations.
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Mentor Resources
Download the Mentor and Mentee guidebook from the BOM.
Candidate Process Timeline Overview
No two candidates will take the same path to be ordained but we are here to walk with you and encourage you along your journey. The West Plains Conference and the Board of Ministry are here to make sure you answer your calling to ministry and to be a resource throughout the process.
Inquiring Phase
The Inquiring Phase:
This is the initial path to candidacy. Here is where candidates meet with a local pastor or Presiding Elder, meet with their Personnel Committee to be interviewed, and get voted on at their local Church/Charge Conference.
Discernment Phase
The Discernment Phase:
This is where things start to become more serious. Here is when candidates fill out applications, attend School of Ministry, undergo a psych eval, complete an internship, meet with a mentor, review the Candidacy Guidebook, complete training modules, interview with the Board of Ministry, and become a Certified Candidate for ministry.
Deacon Ministry & Spiritual Formation
Deacon Ministry & Spiritual Formation:
This is where things can start to slow down and gives candidates the opportunity to focus on their studies. Here Certified Candidates will be assigned to a Wesleyan Class Cohort, complete their educational requirements, interview with the Board of Ministry, get approved at Clergy Session, and be ordained Deacon.
Elder Ministry & Spiritual Formation
Elder Ministry & Spiritual Formation:
This may be the longest phase candidates go through. Here is where ordained Deacons serve for a minimum of two years, continue to meet with their Class Cohort, finish their educational requirements, interview with the Board of Ministry, get approved at Clergy Session, and be ordained an Elder at Annual Conference.
Breakdown of Candidate Process Timeline
Inquiring Phase
Here you will find a breakdown of the Inquiring Phase for the Candidacy Process as well as all the documents and resources you might need in order to complete all the steps.
Professing Member of a Global Methodist Church for one year. Reach out to you local church office and ask them for a record of your membership date or to join the church.
Meet with Local Pastor or Presiding Elder. Reach out to one of our Presiding Elders and they would be more than happy to talk with you about your call to ministry. You can also reach out to your local pastor for guidance.
Personal Data Sheet filled out for Personnel Committee interview. This is completed by you the candidate and is a foundational paper for the rest of your journey in the process.
Meet with Personnel Committee of local church. Here is where your Personnel Committee will interview and vote on you to attend a church/charge conference. They will need to complete the Interview Sheet and email it to the Registrar.
Attend Church/Charge Conference. Reach out to your Pastor and Presiding Elder to set this up. Here you will be voted on to become a candidate for ministry, officially recognizing you as pursuing this candidacy process.
Discernment Phase
Here you will find a breakdown of the Discernment Phase for the Candidacy Process as well as all the documents and resources you might need in order to complete all the steps.
Application for the Global Methodist Church. This allows the Global Operating Office to run a criminal and background check as well as gets you recognized in their system.
School of Ministry Retreat and Stand Alone Courses. This a low-impact educational experience that primarily focuses on ministry development, spiritual formation, and an introductory exploration of the calling of God in a person’s life, either as laity or as clergy. Candidates who are in a degree program not serving in a local church may write a request for an exemption to the BOM.
Minimum of 6 months supervision by BOM which includes an internship or employment in ministry setting. Here is where you will be assigned a mentor to meet with monthly, review the candidacy guidebook, and schedule your psychological eval.
Required Training Modules. This is led by the Conference Superintendent and Presiding Elders.
Initial Interview with BOM. Once you have completed all other steps, email a written statement of “My Call” to BOM Chair, Vice Chair, and Registrar. This should be updated from your Personal Data Sheet statement, from the Inquiring Phase, to reflect any new updates or clarifications from your 6 months supervision. After, the BOM will set up an initial interview for you to become a Certified Candidate.
Deacon Ministry & Spiritual Formation
Here you will find a breakdown of the Deacon Ministry & Spiritual Formation Phase for the Candidacy Process as well as all the documents and resources you might need in order to complete all the steps.
Education Requirements, 10 Courses or Degree. It’s time to get studious! There are 9 approved seminaries for the GMC. Feel free to choose one to complete all your courses or take one from each seminary. Not sure which courses to take? Check out paragraph 507 in the Book of Doctrine and Discipline.
Second Interview with BOM. To be ordained as a Deacon you will need to schedule another interview with the Board of Ministry and be approved by two-thirds vote. You will also submit your answers to the historical and deacon questions found in paragraph 508 and 509.
Clergy Session, Approval from Bishop. From here you will attend Clergy Session at Annual Conference and be voted on by the clergy. Then it’s getting approved by the Bishop and attending ordination service.
Wesleyan Class Cohort. This happens after you are ordained as a Deacon. For a minimum of two years you will meet face to face with other Deacons for mentoring in a class cohort assigned by the Board of Ministry.
Elder Ministry & Spiritual Formation
Here you will find a breakdown of the Elder Ministry & Spiritual Formation Phase for the Candidacy Process as well as all the documents and resources you might need in order to complete all the steps.
Minimum 2 Years’ Service as Deacon. This is where you get to kick back and relax, well not really. You’ll continue in the Wesleyan Class Cohort meetings, work on your remaining coursework, and
Education Requirements, 10 Courses or Degree. It’s time to stay studious! There are 9 approved seminaries for the GMC. Feel free to choose one to complete all your courses or take one from each seminary. Not sure which courses to take? Check out paragraph 507.4 in the Book of Doctrine and Discipline.
Third Interview with BOM. To be ordained as an Elder you will need to schedule another interview with the Board of Ministry and be approved by two-thirds vote. You will also submit your answers to the historical and elder questions found in paragraph 508 and 510.
Clergy Session, Approval from Bishop. From here you will attend Clergy Session at Annual Conference and be voted on by the clergy. Then it’s getting approved by the Bishop and attending ordination service.