Candidacy for Ministry

If you think God might be calling you to ordained or licensed ministry, the Indiana Conference Board of Ordained Ministry invites you to consider beginning the candidacy process. Entering the candidacy process does not commit you to anything except further discernment. The process begins with a conversation with either your District Superintendent or the Chairperson of the District Committee on Ministry followed by an interview with the District Committee on Ministry.

Following your interview with the District Committee on Ministry, if you wish to take the next step, you will receive an email inviting you to enroll in the Online Candidacy Application System and a candidacy mentor will be assigned to you. A background check and psychological evaluation are part of this process. There are costs associated with the process totaling between $350 and $400. Absolute minimum time allowed to complete the certification process is four months, but 8 to 12 months is more realistic.

Once you have completed the certification process you may pursue licensing as a Local Pastor by attending either the Week-end or Residential Local Pastor’s License to Preach School offered by the Indiana Conference. Or if ordination is your goal, begin/continue your college/seminary education. Seminary aid is available for students who have completed the certification process. The Indiana Conference now allows up to two thirds of class work to be done online IF DONE AT A UNITED METHODIST SEMINARY OR THROUGH ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

Indiana requires all candidates to complete one basic unit of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) prior to commissioning.

You may apply for commissioning and provisional membership in the Annual Conference the year prior to completion of seminary and CPE. All educational requirements must be met before the actual commissioning service at Annual Conference in June. You must have been a certified candidate for at least one year (no more than twelve years) prior to the time of commissioning.

As a provisional member you will be appointed to a church or other ministry setting and be required to participate in the Residency in Ministry (RIM) program. RIM consists of three overnight conferences each year (September, January and May), monthly meetings with your RIM Covenant Group and your RIM appointed mentor. After satisfactory participation for a minimum of three years in the Residency in Ministry program, you may apply for ordination and full membership.

For further information visit www.gbhem.org or contact Rev. Sandy Harlan, Director of Clergy Services for the Indiana Conference.

Click to download Steps into Ministry Checklist - Local Pastor Licensing Process - Ordination Process - Accredited ACPE Centers.

Forms to Download

PDI - Personal Data Inventory Form  - Click here (PDF; 5 pgs)

Form A-Annual Mentor Report - Click here (PDF; 1 pg)

Form APM-Application for Provisional Membership - Click here (PDF; 1 pg)

Form B-Financial - Click here (PDF; 2 pgs)

Form F-District Recommendation for Provisional Membership - Click here (PDF; 1 pg)