Guidelines - DCOM PM by Holston Annual Conference

Holston Annual Conference

District Commi ee on Ordained Ministry Guidelines: Recommended Process for Those That Are Seeking Provisional Membership

This material was developed by the Holston Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Permission is given for other annual conferences to use this material and/or modify it for use in their annual conference. The original format is Microso Publisher. For a Publisher ﬁle of this document, please contact the Oﬃce of Clergy Services: clergyservices@holston.org

These guidelines were developed following a conversa on with the District Superintendents regarding how the DCOM’s could be er determine if a seminarian is ready for recommenda on as a Provisional Member.

These guidelines lay out a more involved process/ interac on between the seminarian and the DCOM. One of the comments, in the aforemen oned discussion, was that the DCOM does not get to see the paperwork of the person that is recommended for Provisional Membership. The DCOM has to recommend, the paper is wri en, and the BOM makes a decision on whether or not the candidate has met the readiness criteria.

The process outlined in this document seeks to engage the seminarian in three wri en ques on sets that are completed before the seminarian meets with the DCOM. This document assumes that there will be two regularly scheduled yearly January mee ngs. In addi on, it assumes that the DCOM will meet with the candidate in late June/early July a er they have completed their second year (or 2/3’s of classes for those on a more than three year track) of seminary. At this mee ng the DCOM will make its recommenda on for Provisional Membership.

It is hoped that by having the seminarian complete the assigned ques ons prior to each mee ng, that a substan al body of work will be produced to allow the DCOM to more eﬀec vely make a recommenda on for Provisional Membership.

I oﬀer this to the DCOM’s for their use with seminarians.

Respec ully Submi ed,

Rev. Terry Goodman Director of Clergy Services

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great pa ence and careful instruc on.”

2 Timothy 4:2

Keep watch over yourselves and all the ﬂock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

-Acts 20:28

Sec on 1: Seminarian Progression Timeline and Checklist

In the pages that follow, you will ﬁnd an outline/checklist of the things that must happen as a person progresses towards Provisional Membership in the annual conference. This checklist begins with Pre-candidacy (Year A) an proceeds through the conclusion of the Provisional Membership process. Please note that Year B contains elements of decision making in regards to whether or not the candidate will pursue a seminary track or a local pastor track. Year C onward focuses solely on the assump on that the person is on a seminary track and is ul mately seeking Provisional membership. There is a separate set of guidelines for those that are pursuing the Local Pastor route.

This document should be used with ALL persons as they begin pre-candidacy and be completed with only those that are on the seminary track. Those that choose local pastor track will use a diﬀerent document.

It is recommended that you enter the calendar year in the blank a er each of the YEAR classiﬁca ons. This will help the DCOM and the seminarian be er track the chronology of their progress through this process.

Year A: ____________ Pre-candidacy

 September-November

 Person has felt a call to ministry

 Person has discussed call with their pastor

 Pastor arranges conversa on between person and the DS

 DS enters person into UMCares

 December

 DS registers person for Candidacy Summit

Year B: _____________

Candidacy & Track Choice

 January

 Person a ends Candidacy Summit

 Person Assigned a Candidacy Mentor

 Person meets with Mentor in Candidacy Group and works through book

 February –April

 Candidate

 Completes Psychological Assessment

 Candidate Gets SPPRC Endorsement

 Candidate Gets Charge Conference Endorsement

 May-June

 Candidate meets with DCOM to become Cer ﬁed

 Once Cer fied, DCOM informs Office of Clergy Services of the cer fica on

 At me of cer ﬁca on, DCOM asks Candidate about next steps:

 Are you planning to a end seminary?

 If YES:

 Which seminary will you a end?

 Recommend to them a United Methodist Seminary

 Inform them of the availability of MEF

 Report to Oﬃce of Clergy Services

 If NO:

 Recommend that the Cer ﬁed Candidate a end LPLS

 Give Cer ﬁed Candidate link to LPLS registra on

 July

 Cer ﬁed Candidate must have registered for LPLS

 Cer ﬁed Candidate should have been in contact with a seminary and sought admission

 August

 First Weekend of LPLS

 Seminary classes begin

 September

 Second Weekend of LPLS

 October

 Final Weekend of LPLS

 November

 DCOM should send seminarian the interview packet for the upcoming Year C interview.

 Cer ﬁed Candidates that have successfully completed LPLS and met all requirements are eligible to receive license to preach.

 DCOM’s at this point should begin to use Local Pastor Track master document with those persons that are seeking to minister via the Local Pastor route.

 December

 Seminarian submits interview packet to the DCOM by December 31st.

YEAR C: __________ Comple

ng First Year/Beginning Second Year of Seminary

This is a transi on year for the manner in which the DCOM will relate to the person. Some will be seminarians and others will be cer ﬁed candidates that are ready to be given license to preach as a local pastor. The remainder of this document will focus on those cer ﬁed candidates that have chosen the SEMINARIAN track.

 January-February

 DCOM interview teams are given the seminarian’s interview packet materials.

 DCOM schedules mee ng with seminarian

 DCOM uses First Year Seminarian Interview Form

 DCOM instructs Seminarian to submit copy of Fall transcript to the Oﬃce of Clergy Services and reminds Seminarian to do the same at comple on of the Spring term.

 June-July

 Seminarian should:

 Submit seminary transcript to the Oﬃce of Clergy Services.

 If u lizing MEF, seminarian should re-apply for the coming school year.

 August

 Seminarian enters into Year 2 of Seminary

 November

 Seminarian receives Interview Packet from the DCOM and is asked to complete packet and submit it to the DCOM by December 31st.

Year D: _____________ Comple ng Second Year/Beginning Third Year of Seminary

 January-February

 DCOM members receive Interview Packet from Seminarian and review it prior to seminarian’s mee ng with the DCOM

 FOCUS: This mee ng will be the mee ng at which the DCOM will begin to talk to the seminarian about Provisional Membership

 DCOM will remind seminarian to submit copy of transcript to the Oﬃce of Clergy Services

 Seminarian will begin fourth term in seminary.

 April

 DCOM will send seminarian Provisional Interview Recommenda on Packet on April 1st.

 May

 Seminarian must complete Provisional Interview Recommenda on Packet and return to the DCOM by May 31st

 June– early July

 Seminarian will submit transcript to Oﬃce of Clergy Services

 Seminarian will complete applica on for MEF for the coming school year.

 Seminarian Interview Packet will be given to members of the DCOM interview team.

 Seminarian will meet with the DCOM for a Provisional Interview Recommenda on mee ng.

 DCOM will determine if they will recommend seminarian for Provisional Membership (seminarian will have completed 4 semesters of seminary at this point or if on a non tradi onal (more than three year schedule have completed 2/3 of required seminary classes.)

 If DCOM determines that seminarian is on path to meet the READINESS standards, the DCOM will recommend seminarian for Provisional Membership and submit Ac on Outline AO06: Provisional Membership Recommenda on to the Oﬃce of Clergy Services.

 DCOM will inform Seminarian that there will be a required Recommended Provisional Member Process mee ng that will be conducted by the Division of Elders and Deacons on a date to be determined each year.

 Late July-Early August

 Provisional Member Process mee ng occurs

 Provisional Member will be given the Provisional Membership Applica on packet and will be walked item by item through the packet with instruc ons and expecta ons laid out as to how to complete the items in the packet.

 Seminarian will begin the fall semester.

 September –December

 Seminarian will work on Provisional Membership packet and will seek feedback from DCOM Provisional Candidate Mentor on work that is about to be submi ed. This is a me for the seminarian to begin forming ideas and pu ng on paper the answers to the Disciplinary ques ons. A DCOM Provisional Mentor will be available to read rough dra s and oﬀer guidance. The seminarian should not wait un l the last moment to answer these ques ons and to produce the required Bible Study. Work should be done in segments and each segment shared with DCOM Provisional Mentor. If seminarian waits un l the last minute, then the seminarian will have lost the opportunity to ﬁne tune the document.

Year E: ___________ Final Semester of Seminary

 January

 DEADLINE for submission of provisional paperwork to the BOM. (Usually on the Monday nearest to January 6th) This is a FIRM deadline. If seminarian does not submit all of the required paperwork, then seminarian will not be scheduled for an interview and must apply in the following year.

 DCOM mee ng will focus on aﬃrming the person and praying for them as they await the upcoming interview.

 Remind provisional candidate to send transcript to Oﬃce of Clergy Services.

 February

 Early in the month on a Monday (usually before the 15th) the BOM will schedule a day on which all Provisional Members (Elder/Deacon) will come to a speciﬁed loca on for an interview with a BOM interview team.

 This will be a mandatory event and the person should be prepared to spend the en re day at the interview site.

 Upon comple on of the interview, persons will be given an exit interview to see how the process worked/ didn’t work for them. Once the exit interview is completed, the person is free to leave.

 By Friday of the interview week, the poten al Provisional Member will be contacted by the chair of either the Division of Elders or the Division of Deacons. They will be informed of whether they were recommended or not recommended for Provisional Membership.

 If the they were not recommended, then a mee ng between the seminarian, DS, and Chair of the Division will be scheduled to talk about the speciﬁc reason that the seminarian was not recommended.

 April

 The Divisions will submit the names of those recommended to the full BOM and the BOM will vote on the recommenda on. The names of those approved by the BOM will be sent to the Clergy Session for ﬁnal approval.

 May

 At some point during the month there will be a mandatory mee ng called The Bishop’s Day Apart. All Provisional, Full Connec on and Associate Members will meet for a day long mee ng with the Bishop. Consider this a me for the Bishop to get to know you and hear your stories. It is not a high stress kind of day.

 PROVISIONAL CANDIDATE’S MUST SUPPLY A CERTIFIED TRANSCRIPT TO THE OFFICE OF CLERGY SERVICES AT LEAST FIVE DAYS PRIOR TO THE CLERGY SESSION OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE REQUIRES THAT ALL EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET BEFORE A PERSON IS MADE A PROVISIONAL MEMBER. FAILURE TO SUPPLY THE CERTIFIED TRANSCRIPT WILL RESULT IN YOUR NAME BEING WITHDRAWN FROM THE LIST PRESENTED TO THE CLERGY SESSION AND WILL RESULT IN YOU NOT RECEIVING A VOTE FROM THE CLERGY SESSION AT THIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

 June

 The Clergy Session will meet prior to Annual Conference and will vote on those recommended as Provisional Members.

 Those who receive an aﬃrma ve vote of the Clergy Session become Provisional Members and will then be commissioned during the upcoming annual conference.

 The Provisional journey has just begun.

Sec on 2 : SEMINARIAN INTERVIEW PACKETS

In the sec on that follows, you will find a series of documents keyed to a specific year and interview. These documents will collect basic contact informa on on the seminarian to ensure that we can remain in contact with them. The informa on that they supply should be checked against the informa on that is in Brick River on them. If there is a difference, then the District Administra ve Assistant should go in and update the contact informa on.

The most important aspect of these packets is that they pose a series of ques ons to the seminarians. The seminarians must answer these ques ons in wri en form and submit them to the DCOM prior to the scheduled interview session. The DCOM will need to specify to each seminarian how (wri en, electronic, both) the informa on is to be supplied. In addi on, each DCOM should clearly indicate the physical and/ or email address to which the materials should be sent.

Once the materials have arrived, they must then be given to the interview team prior to the scheduled mee ng so that the team may review the materials and be prepared to talk with the seminarian about his/her responses to the ques ons.

These materials were developed in response to a request from the District Superintendents to help the DCOM’s get a be er understanding of whether or not a seminarian has met the readiness standard that is required for Provisional Membership. It is hoped that requiring wri en responses to speciﬁc ques ons will be er equip the seminarian to respond to the ques ons related to their Provisional Membership submissions. In addi on, by engaging the seminarian in reﬂec on and discussion on their wri en materials the seminarian is also prepared for a more rigorous discussion with the BOM.

For this process to work, please follow the instruc ons in the YEAR A-E meline and send the applicable instruc ons to the seminarians in me for them to reﬂect, respond, and return to the DCOM by the assigned date.

It is my hope and prayer that this process will be er equip our DCOM’s to assist our seminarians in the process that leads to their becoming Provisional Members of the annual conference.

Please direct any ques ons, comments, or sugges ons to the Oﬃce of Clergy Services.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up . Ephesians 4:11-12

Use this page to records notes or requirements that might arise from one of the yearly interviews.

Year C: Seminarian Interview Packet

By now, your first semester of seminary is almost over. As members of your DCOM, we know that you are probably gearing up for finals. We pray that this first semester has been a me of growth for you and expanded your knowledge of God and the church and helped you to gain new insights into your faith and your walk with God.

In January, you will be coming back before the DCOM for a mee ng. This will be the ﬁrst of a yearly set of mee ngs that will happen while you are in seminary. In prepara on for that mee ng, we would like for you to answer the following ques ons and submit them to the DCOM by December 31st. Members of your January interview team will be given your answers and will talk with you about them in the upcoming mee ng.

Don’t look at this in terms of pass/fail. You will pass. Think of this as a me for the DCOM to learn more about you and your seminary journey. Perhaps, the DCOM interview team may even have some words of advice for you, but rest assured they will be praying for you and are there for you as you con nue your seminary journey.

BASIC INFORMATION:

Name: _________________________________________________

Best Contact Address:

Preferred Phone Number: _____________________________________________

Preferred Email Address: ______________________________________________

Seminary you are a ending: _____________________________________________

Are you receiving MEF service loans? ___ Yes ___No

Are you a student pastor? ___ Yes ____ No

If YES:

Name of the Charge: _____________________________________ District:__________________

Annual Conference: ______________________________________

Approximate distance of the Seminary from the Charge:_____________________

Do you reside near the seminary? ___ Yes ___ No Do you reside in the charge parsonage? ___Yes ___No

Do you reside near the seminary during the week and the parsonage on the weekend? ___ Yes ___ No

Please answer the ques ons on the following page. You do not need to write a thesis. We are looking for clear and concise answers to the ques ons. Please type your answers on a separate sheet and include the ques on prior to your answer.

Please return this sheet and the completed ques ons to your DCOM by December 31st.

Year C: Seminarian Reﬂec on Ques ons

The following ques ons are to be answered by all persons:

1.) What have you found to be the most diﬃcult aspect of seminary?

2.) What have you found as your favorite aspect of seminary?

3.) What new thing (idea, concept, prac ce) have you learned at seminary?

4.) Star ng seminary, you had ideas/expecta ons about what the experience would be like. In what ways has seminary lived up to or not lived up to those ideas/expecta ons?

5.) In what way is your seminary experience stretching you to grow in your faith?

6.) Brieﬂy describe your spiritual disciplines?

7.) Is there anything other thing you would like to share with the DCOM or that you would like to ask the DCOM?

If you are a student pastor, please answer the following ques ons.

8.) What are some of the strains that you ﬁnd as you seek to be in ministry with your congregants while at the same me being a seminary student?

9.) Is there any type of assistance that you feel you need to be er equip you for your dual role as pastor/student?

10.) What is the most diﬃcult aspect of being a student pastor?

Year D: Seminarian Interview Packet

At this point, you are most likely ﬁnishing your third semester in seminary. Finals are looming on the horizon. In January you will meet with your DCOM. At that mee ng you will be discussing whether or not you will seek Provisional Membership in the annual conference. Prior to that mee ng, the DCOM needs you to respond to the ques ons in this packet.

There are no right or wrong answers. However, the DCOM may push you for clarity and ask you to expound on your answers. The goal is not to write a thesis, but more than a simple sentence or two will be needed for each of these answers. We are asking you to prayerfully consider your responses and oﬀer your best work in the way that you answer these ques ons.

In June or July of next year, you will meet with your DCOM to seek their recommenda on for Provisional Membership. The manner in which you answer these ques ons and the ques ons that come from that second mee ng will help the DCOM to determine if you meet the readiness standard that is expected of all persons that seek Provisional Membership in the annual conference.

BASIC INFORMATION:

Name: _________________________________________________

Best Contact Address:

Preferred Phone Number: _____________________________________________

Preferred Email Address: ______________________________________________

Seminary you are a ending: _____________________________________________

Are you receiving MEF service loans? ___ Yes ___No

Are you a student pastor? ___ Yes ____ No

If YES:

Name of the Charge: _____________________________________ District:__________________

Annual Conference: ______________________________________

Approximate distance of the Seminary from the Charge:_____________________

Do you reside near the seminary? ___ Yes ___ No Do you reside in the charge parsonage? ___Yes ___No

Do you reside near the seminary during the week and the parsonage on the weekend? ___ Yes ___ No

Year D: Seminarian Reﬂec on Ques ons

Please type your answers to these ques ons (be sure to type the ques on before your answer.) Submit your answered ques ons along with this sheet to the DCOM by December 31st.

1.) What is your understanding of grace from a Wesleyan perspec ve?

2.) What is your understanding of bap sm from a Wesleyan perspec ve and how does that diﬀer from other perspec ves?

3.) How o en should communion be celebrated in the local church?

4.) In what ways has your experience in study and in ministry conﬁrmed or ques oned your sense of being called to ordained ministry?

5.) How has your experience of God changed/deepened during your prepara on for ministry?

6.) How has your reading (understanding) of the scriptures changed because of your studies?

7.) How has your understanding of the church changed through your studies?

8.) Why does the UMC expect local congrega ons to support ﬁnancially the connec onal ministries of the church?

9.) What areas of study have you found most challenging? Most helpful? Why?

10.) What have you learned about yourself (through your studies and in your ministry se ng) that will be important in your ministry in the UMC?

Please note that the DCOM interview team will review these ques ons and your answers. You will be ques oned about your responses. The DCOM, a er their discussion with you, may ask that you re-write some of your responses in light of the discussion at the mee ng. You need to think of this as a very simpliﬁed trial run. Should the DCOM recommend you for Provisional membership later this year, then by the end of the year you will have had to respond to the required Disciplinary ques ons, developed a Bible Study series, recorded and submi ed a sermon in prepara on for your interview with the BOM in Year E. If you struggle with the DCOM process, you will struggle with the BOM process. This DCOM process is designed to help prepare you for what will come at the BOM interview stage.

Year D: Provisional Membership Recommenda on Interview

You are coming to the end of your second year in seminary and it is now me for you to seek a recommenda on from your DCOM for Provisional Membership. If you receive that recommenda on, you will be entering into an intense process that will involve you responding in wri ng that typically produces a document between 125-200+ pages. At the same me you will be comple ng your ﬁ h semester of seminary.

At this interview, the DCOM needs to determine whether or not they feel you have met the Readiness standard. This will have been your third mee ng with them since you began your seminary experience. Just two or three months ago, you met with them and submi ed a series of answers to some very important ques ons. Your answers gave them insight into your level of readiness. It is the same with the ques ons that are a part of this packet.

The DCOM needs your though ul response to each of the ques ons on the next page. Be thorough. If you quote or use a an external source in your answer, then make sure that you properly a ribute that source. Pay a en on to grammar. Run a spell checker and grammar check on your submissions. Give them your best work not some half hearted last minute answer. Just so you know, half-hearted last minute answers will not be tolerated if you interview with the BOM next February. The DCOM deserves your best answers as well.

BASIC INFORMATION:

Name: _________________________________________________

Best Contact Address:

Preferred Phone Number: _____________________________________________

Preferred Email Address: ______________________________________________

Seminary you are a ending: _____________________________________________

Are you receiving MEF service loans? ___ Yes ___No

Are you a student pastor? ___ Yes ____ No

If YES:

Name of the Charge: _____________________________________ District:__________________

Annual Conference: ______________________________________

Approximate distance of the Seminary from the Charge:_____________________

Do you reside near the seminary? ___ Yes ___ No Do you reside in the charge parsonage? ___Yes ___No

Do you reside near the seminary during the week and the parsonage on the weekend? ___ Yes ___ No

Year D: Provisional Recommenda on Interview Ques ons

Please type you response to these ques ons in a separate document. Please be sure to type each ques on prior to your answer. Include this document along with the answers and return to the DCOM by May 31st.

1.) Did you have any rewrites from the previous mee ng with the DCOM? Did you submit those rewrites? Have you received feedback from the DCOM on the re-writes? Do you have any ques ons about that feedback?

2.) What gi s and abili es do you feel that you bring to ministry in the UMC?

3.) What habits or vulnerabili es make your ministry more difficult or your efforts less effec ve?

4.) Dis nguish between the ministry of all Chris ans and the set-apart ministry of an Elder or a Deacon. What are the dis nc ve marks of the Order of Deacon and the Order of Elder?

5.) In what ways have you grown in your understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ?

6.) How will you respond to a parishioner that insisted on the literal accuracy of the Bible?

7.) If you were to establish a new congrega on, how would you describe its mission and purpose?

8.) Has your understanding of i nerancy changed or deepened because of your studies? Are you ready to make yourself available to the i nerate ministry?

9.) How do you stay in love with God?

10.) What have you learned about responding to conﬂict in the local church either through your academic work or through actual experience?

11.) What boundaries are important in working with parishioners and others whom you will serve?

Helpful Hints: The DCOM is looking for though ul answers. Don’t be surprised if you end up with ten or more pages. However, thirty or more pages might be overkill to this set of ques ons. You need to learn a balance in your wri en responses. Make sure to thoroughly answer the ques on but don’t go overboard. Learn to ﬁnd the balance. Such a prac ce will beneﬁt you in your ministry as well. For instance, you will learn that a sermon has a sweet spot of being too short and being too long. Also, don’t be afraid to quote an external source, but give proper a ribu on to all those sources. However, don’t make your answers long quotes from someone else. The DCOM wants to know what you are thinking and how you respond.

Sec on 3: Alternate Seminarian Interview Packets

The ques ons posed in the previous sec on are drawn from of Fitness, Readiness, Eﬀec veness Guidelines. They are not the only ques ons that can be asked. Some have advocated for the use of the actual ques ons from the Book of Discipline that those applying for Provisional Membership would have to answer.

In the sec on that follows, is an alternate version of the three interview packets using those ques ons.

As a DCOM, you should decide which set of ques ons you are going to use. However, you have the authority to ask whatever ques ons that you think will help you best understand whether or not the person you are about to recommend for Provisional Membership has met the readiness standards. Keep in mind the concept of fairness. All candidates should be treated in an equal manner, in as much as is possible. So don’t develop a strenuous set of ques ons for one candidate and a much easier set for another candidate.

Provisional Ques ons as Found in The Book of Discipline—2020/2024:

What follows are the actual ques ons that each candidate for Provisional Membership must answer as a part of their submission to the Board of Ordained Ministry. As a DCOM you can use these ques ons in any manner that you deem ﬁ ng. They have been incorporated into the packets that follow.

¶324.7. Each candidate shall respond to a wri en and oral doctrinal examina on administered by the conference Board of Ordained Ministry. The examina on shall cover the following:

a) Describe your personal experience of God and the understanding of God you derive from biblical, theological, and historical sources.

b) What is your understanding of evil as it exists in the world?

c) What is your understanding of humanity, and the human need for divine grace?

d) How do you interpret the statement Jesus Christ is Lord?

e) What is your concep on of the ac vity of the Holy Spirit in personal faith, in the community of believers, and in responsible living in the world?

f) What is your understanding of the kingdom of God; the Resurrec on; eternal life?

g) How do you intend to aﬃrm, teach, and apply Part III of the Discipline (Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task) in your work in the ministry to which you have been called?

h) The United Methodist Church holds that the living core of the Chris an faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradi on, viviﬁed in personal experience, and conﬁrmed by reason. What is your understanding of this theological posi on of the Church?

i) Describe the nature and mission of the Church. What are its primary tasks today?

j) Discuss your understanding of the primary characteris cs of United Methodist polity.

k) Explain your understanding of the dis nc ve voca ons of the Order of Elders and the Order of Deacons. How do you perceive yourself, your gi s, your mo ves, your role, and your commitment as a provisional deacon or provisional elder in The United Methodist Church?

l) Describe your understanding of diakonia, the servant ministry of the church, and the servant ministry of the provisional member.

m) What is the meaning of ordina on in the context of the general ministry of the Church?

n) Describe your understanding of an inclusive church and ministry.

o) You have agreed as a candidate for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ in the world and the most effec ve witness of the gospel, and in considera on of their influence as ministers, to make a complete dedica on of yourself to the highest ideals of the Chris an life, and to this end agree to exercise responsible self control by personal habits conducive to bodily health, mental and emo onal maturity, integrity in all personal rela onships, fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness, social responsibility, and growth in grace and the knowledge and love of God. What is your understanding of this agreement?

p) Explain the role and signiﬁcance of the sacraments in the ministry to which you have been called.

Year C: Seminarian Interview Packet

BASIC INFORMATION:

Name: _________________________________________________

Best Contact Address:

Preferred Phone Number: _____________________________________________

Preferred Email Address: ______________________________________________

Seminary you are a ending: _____________________________________________

Are you receiving MEF service loans? ___ Yes ___No

Are you a student pastor? ___ Yes ____ No

If YES:

Name of the Charge: _____________________________________ District:__________________

Annual Conference: ______________________________________

Approximate distance of the Seminary from the Charge:_____________________

Do you reside near the seminary? ___ Yes ___ No Do you reside in the charge parsonage? ___Yes ___No

Do you reside near the seminary during the week and the parsonage on the weekend? ___ Yes ___ No

Please return this sheet and the completed ques ons to your DCOM by December 31st.

Year C: Seminarian Reﬂec on Ques ons

The following ques ons are to be answered by all persons:

1.) Describe your personal experience of God and the understanding of God you derive from biblical, theological, and historical sources.

2.) How do you interpret the statement that Jesus Christ is Lord?

3.) Explain your understanding of the dis nc ve voca ons of the Order of Elders and the Order of Deacons. How do you perceive yourself, your gi s, your mo ves, your role, and your commitment as a provisional deacon or provisional elder in The United Methodist Church?

4.) You have agreed as a candidate for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ in the world and the most effec ve witness of the gospel, and in considera on of their influence as ministers, to make a complete dedica on of yourself to the highest ideals of the Chris an life, and to this end agree to exercise responsible self control by personal habits conducive to bodily health, mental and emo onal maturity, integrity in all personal rela onships, fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness, social responsibility, and growth in grace and the knowledge and love of God. What is your understanding of this agreement?

5.) What have you found to be the most diﬃcult aspect of seminary?

6.) What have you found as your favorite aspect of seminary?

7.) What new thing (idea, concept, prac ce) have you learned at seminary?

8.) In what way is your seminary experience stretching you to grow in your faith?

9.) Brieﬂy describe your spiritual disciplines?

10.) Is there anything other thing you would like to share with the DCOM or that you would like to ask the DCOM?

If you are a student pastor, please answer the following ques ons.

11.) What are some of the strains that you ﬁnd as you seek to be in ministry with your congregants while at the same me being a seminary student?

12.) Is there any type of assistance that you feel you need to be er equip you for your dual role as pastor/student?

13.) What is the most diﬃcult aspect of being a student pastor?

Year D: Seminarian Interview Packet

BASIC INFORMATION:

Name: _________________________________________________

Best Contact Address:

Preferred Phone Number: _____________________________________________

Preferred Email Address: ______________________________________________

Seminary you are a ending: _____________________________________________

Are you receiving MEF service loans? ___ Yes ___No

Are you a student pastor? ___ Yes ____ No

If YES:

Name of the Charge: _____________________________________ District:__________________

Annual Conference: ______________________________________

Approximate distance of the Seminary from the Charge:_____________________

Do you reside near the seminary? ___ Yes ___ No Do you reside in the charge parsonage? ___Yes ___No

Do you reside near the seminary during the week and the parsonage on the weekend? ___ Yes ___ No

Year D: Seminarian Reﬂec on Ques ons

Please type your answers to these ques ons (be sure to type the ques on before your answer.) Submit you answered ques ons along with this sheet to the DCOM by December 31st.

1. ) What is your understanding of evil as it exists in the world?

2.) What is your understanding of humanity, and the human need for divine grace?

3.) What is your concep on of the ac vity of the Holy Spirit in personal faith, in the community of believers, and in responsible living in the world?

4.) What is your understanding of the kingdom of God; the Resurrec on; eternal life?

5.) Describe the nature and mission of the Church. What are its primary tasks today?

6.) Describe your understanding of diakonia, the servant ministry of the church, and the servant ministry of the provisional member.

7.) What is your understanding of grace from a Wesleyan perspec ve?

8.) What is your understanding of bap sm from a Wesleyan perspec ve and how does that diﬀer from other perspec ves?

9.) How has your reading (understanding) of the scriptures changed because of your studies?

10.) What areas of study have you found most challenging? Most helpful? Why?

11.) What have you learned about yourself (through your studies and/or in your ministry se ng) that will be important in your ministry in the UMC?

Year D: Provisional Membership Recommenda on Interview

You are coming to the end of your second year in seminary and it is now me for you to seek a recommenda on from your DCOM for Provisional Membership. If you receive that recommenda on, you will be entering into and intense process that will involve you responding in wri ng that typically produces a document between 125-200+ pages. At the same me you will be comple ng your ﬁ h semester of seminary.

BASIC INFORMATION:

Name: _________________________________________________

Best Contact Address:

Preferred Phone Number: _____________________________________________

Preferred Email Address: ______________________________________________

Seminary you are a ending: _____________________________________________

Are you receiving MEF service loans? ___ Yes ___No

Are you a student pastor? ___ Yes ____ No

If YES:

Name of the Charge: _____________________________________ District:__________________

Annual Conference: ______________________________________

Approximate distance of the Seminary from the Charge:_____________________

Do you reside near the seminary? ___ Yes ___ No Do you reside in the charge parsonage? ___Yes ___No

Do you reside near the seminary during the week and the parsonage on the weekend? ___ Yes ___ No

Year D: Provisional Recommenda on Interview Ques ons

Did you have any rewrites from the previous mee ng with the DCOM? Did you submit those rewrites? Have you received feedback from the DCOM on the re-writes? Do you have any ques ons about that feedback?

1.) Explain the role and signiﬁcance of the sacraments in the ministry to which you have been called.

2.) Discuss your understanding of the primary characteris cs of United Methodist polity.

3.) How do you intend to aﬃrm, teach, and apply Part III of the Discipline (Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task) in your work in the ministry to which you have been called?

4.) The United Methodist Church holds that the living core of the Chris an faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradi on, viviﬁed in personal experience, and conﬁrmed by reason. What is your understanding of this theological posi on of the Church?

5.) What is the meaning of ordina on in the context of the general ministry of the Church?

6.) Describe your understanding of an inclusive church and ministry.

6.) In what ways have you grown in your understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ?

7.) How will you respond to a parishioner that insisted on the literal accuracy of the Bible?

8.) If you were to establish a new congrega on, how would you describe its mission and purpose?

9.) Has your understanding of i nerancy changed or deepened because of your studies? Are you ready to make yourself available to the i nerate ministry?

10.) How do you stay in love with God?

11.) What boundaries are important in working with parishioners and others whom you will serve?

Use this page to records notes or requirements that might arise from one of the yearly interviews.

oﬀer sugges ons. The seminarian needs to be prepared enough to not wait un l the last minute to begin wri ng. Working together on the process will, hopefully, produce a seminarian be er prepared to meet the readiness standards.

If you have any ques ons, comments, or sugges ons please direct them to the Oﬃce of Clergy Services.

YEAR C: Seminary Student DCOM Interview Guide

General Informa on:

 This is the ﬁrst opportunity that the DCOM will have to interview the seminarian following the seminarians cer ﬁca on as a candidate and the seminarian beginning to take classes.

 The focus of this mee ng is for the DCOM to talk with the seminarian about his/her experience in seminary and to oﬀer support for the seminarian as he/she con nues to complete their classes.

Possible Mo on:

 There are no mo ons to be made at this mee ng.

Interview Requirements:

Pre-assignment-managed by DS and BOM registrar

 By November 1st Seminarian will be given the YEAR C: Seminarian Interview Packet

 By November 30th the seminarian will be informed of the date and me of the DCOM mee ng at which the seminarian is to meet with a DCOM interview team. Please bear in mind star ng dates for spring semester as well as possible classes in the J-term when se ng this date.

 By December 31st the seminarian will have submi ed the completed YEAR C: Seminarian Interview packet to the DCOM registrar. Please note, the packets simply state that it is to be submi ed to the DCOM. This was le as generic as possible. Each DCOM should include separate instruc ons as to whom the packet should be submi ed.

 Upon receipt of the packet from the seminarian, the DCOM registrar will send copies to the members of the DCOM team that will interview the seminarian.

 Prior to the interview, DCOM team members will read the submi ed documents and be prepared to ask ques ons about the seminarian’s responses.

DCOM Interview (Minimum me: 45minutes)

A er an introduc on of team members and an opening prayer, the team will talk with the seminarian about the wri en responses to the ques ons that were submi ed.

 The interview team should look for “red ﬂags” that might be raised by responses to the ques ons.

 These are more generic ques ons that don’t focus explicitly on doctrine and theology, but more on how the seminarian is experiencing seminary and growing. Use this as a me to help the seminarian ﬁnd his/her growing edges and as a me to oﬀer encouragement to the seminarian.

 The Interview team should help the seminarian understand the process from this point forward

as laid out in the Guidelines. The sec on of the guidelines that outline the various steps in each of the YEARS A through E should have been shared with the seminarian when he or she was cer ﬁed as a candidate.

 Before leaving the interview, the interview team should remind the seminarian:

 Please submit a copy of your transcript to the Office of Clergy Services. The Office will begin a report that is a ached to your People Portal on Brick River, the conference database system. The Office will give you instruc ons on how to find that report. The report will indicate which of the required classes that you need to take to sa sfy GBHEM requirements as well as Holston requirements for Deacon and Elder.

 Remind the seminarian that is their responsibility to ensure that they take all of the required classes and that the seminary does not know of the Holston requirements.

 Remind the seminarian that their next mee ng with the DCOM will be in a year.

 Remind the seminarian that a copy of their transcript from the Spring semester should be sent to the Oﬃce of Clergy Concerns in June.

 Remind the seminarian that if they seek to u lize MEF service loans, they will need to reply in June/July for the coming year.

 The interview team should see if the seminarian has any ques ons and answer them or get answers and report them back to the seminarian.

 A member of the interview team should close the session in prayer.

YEAR D: Seminary Student DCOM Interview Guide

General Informa on:

 This is the second of three opportuni es that the DCOM will have to interview the seminarian before the DCOM must make a recommenda on for Provisional Membership.

 The focus of this mee ng is for the DCOM to talk with the seminarian about his/her responses to ques ons that begin to become more diﬃcult. Speciﬁc ques ons about the Wesleyan view of grace and bap sm are asked. Special a en on should be paid to these responses.

 While focusing on grace and bap sm, do not neglect the other ques ons cover other topics that will help the DCOM determine readiness.

Possible Mo on:

 There are no mo ons to be made at this mee ng.

Interview Requirements:

Pre-assignment-managed by DS and BOM registrar

 By November 1st Seminarian will be given the YEAR D: Seminarian Interview Packet

 By December 31st the seminarian will have submi ed the completed YEAR C: Seminarian Inteview packet to the DCOM registrar. Please note, the packets simply state that it is to be submi ed to the DCOM. This was le as generic as possible. Each DCOM should include separate instruc ons as to whom the packet should be submi ed.

 Upon receipt of the packet from the seminarian, the DCOM registrar will send copies to the members of the DCOM team that will interview the seminarian.

 Prior to the interview, DCOM team members will read the submi ed documents and be prepared to ask ques ons about the seminarian’s responses.

DCOM Interview (Minimum me: 60-75minutes)

A er an introduc on of team members and an opening prayer, the team will talk with the seminarian about the wri en responses to the ques ons that were submi ed. Please note that a longer me has been assigned to this mee ng than to the ﬁrst mee ng. It is expected that some serious discussion of the seminarians answers will ensue

 The interview team should look for “red ﬂags” that might be raised by responses to the ques ons.

 Some of these ques ons deal with speciﬁc doctrinal and theological issues. If there is evidence that the seminarian is lacking in his/her understanding of the subject, the DCOM should oﬀer instruc on on the ma er

 The interview team should work through all the ques ons.

 The seminarian has been informed that should the interview team deem it appropriate, the seminarian may have to rewrite some of the response to one or more ques ons and resubmit them to the interview team at a mutually agreed upon date (preferably no more than 4 weeks).

 If re-writes are required the interview team which requested the re-writes will read the new responses. Feedback will be oﬀered at the beginning of the next mee ng of the DCOM unless there are s ll serious misunderstandings of the topic. If this is so, then speciﬁc wri en guidance as to the error shall be conveyed to the seminarian and the correc on should be made as part of the next mee ng’s wri en submission.

 Before leaving the interview, the interview team should remind the seminarian:

 Please submit a copy of your transcript to the Oﬃce of Clergy Services and be sure to check your report on your people portal to ensure that you are on track in comple ng the required GBHEM and Holston Deacon/Elder requirements.

 Remind the seminarian that is their responsibility to ensure that they take all of the required classes and that the seminary does not know of the Holston requirements.

 Remind the seminarian that their next mee ng with the DCOM will be in late June/early July and at that mee ng, the DCOM will determine whether it will be recommending the seminarian for provisional membership.

 Remind the seminarian that a copy of their transcript from the Spring semester should be sent to the Oﬃce of Clergy Concerns in June.

 Remind the seminarian that if they seek to u lize MEF service loans, they will need to reply in June/July for the coming year.

 The interview team should see if the seminarian has any ques ons.

 A member of the interview team will close the mee ng in prayer.

YEAR D: Recommenda on of Seminary Student for Provisional Membership DCOM Interview Guide

General Informa on:

 This is the ﬁnal opportunity for the DCOM to interview the seminarian before the DCOM must make a recommenda on for Provisional Membership.

 The focus of this mee ng is for the DCOM to talk with the seminarian about his/her responses to ques ons that begin to become more diﬃcult. The ques ons con nue to stretch the seminarian to think about what he or she has learned and to begin to integrate that learning with real life experience.

Possible Mo ons:

 I move that (Seminarian Name) be recommended for Provisional Membership in the Holston Annual Conference. (3/4 majority vote of the DCOM is needed.)

 I move that (Seminarian Name) not be recommended at this me for Provisional Membership in the Holston Annual Conference. (majority vote of the DCOM is needed.)

Speciﬁc reasons for not recommending should be stated and included in the seminarian’s DCOM ﬁle. A copy of those reasons is to be supplied to the seminarian.

 I move that (Seminarian Name) be discon nued from the candidacy process (and as a local pastor). (majority vote of the DCOM is required.)

This is a measure of last resort that should only be taken when there is clear and convincing evidence that this person is not qualiﬁed to be a minister in the United Methodist Church. If discon nued, the seminarian may seek to come back before the same DCOM at a later date for readmission to candidacy or as a local pastor if the person had been licensed. Taking this ac on prevents the person from becoming an elder/deacon. It would also prevent the person from serving in the role of a Local Pastor.

Interview Requirements:

Pre-assignment-managed by DS and BOM registrar

 By April 1st Seminarian will be given the YEAR D: Provisional Member Recommenda on Interview Packet

 By May 1st the seminarian will be informed of the date and me of the DCOM mee ng at which the seminarian is to meet with a DCOM interview team.

 By May 31st the seminarian will have submi ed the completed YEAR D: Provisional Member Recommenda on Interview packet to the DCOM registrar. Please note, the packets simply state that it is to be submi ed to the DCOM. This was le as generic as possible. Each DCOM should include separate instruc ons as to whom the packet should be submi ed.

 Upon receipt of the packet from the seminarian, the DCOM registrar will send copies to the members of the DCOM team that will interview the seminarian.

 Prior to the interview, DCOM team members will read the submi ed documents and be prepared to ask ques ons about the seminarian’s responses.

DCOM Interview (Minimum me: 75-90 minutes)

A er an introduc on of team members and an opening prayer, the team will talk with the seminarian about the wri en responses to the ques ons that were submi ed. Please note that a longer me has been assigned to this mee ng than to the previous mee ng. It is expected that some serious discussion of the seminarians answers will ensue.

 The interview team should look for “red ﬂags” that might be raised by responses to the ques ons.

 The interview team shall examine DCOM ﬁles and determine if any rewrites were required and if the re-writes were appropriately completed. If there are s ll issues with the topic of the re-write these should be cleared up before moving on to the remaining ques ons. Please bear in mind, that this session should not be devoted en rely to the re-writes. If that becomes the case, then serious considera on as to the readiness of the seminarian for provisional membership needs to be discussed.

 Inform the seminarian that the DS or member of the DCOM will be in touch within the next 5 days to inform them of the decision of the DCOM regarding recommenda on for Provisional Membership.

 Inform the seminarian that, if recommended, a DCOM Provisional Candidate Mentor will be assigned and that the seminarian and mentor will need to work closely as the seminarian prepares the paperwork for the provisional interviews.

 Remind the seminarian to con nue submi ng transcripts to the Oﬃce of Clergy Services and to con nue checking their required class progress report on their People Portal at Brick River.

 Close the mee ng in prayer.

DCOM Provisional Candidate Mentor

Job Descrip on

Summary: The DCOM Provisional Candidate Mentor is assigned by the DCOM to work with a seminarian between the me the seminarian is recommended for Provisional Membership and the deadline for submission of materials for the interviews.

Qualiﬁca ons and Task Descrip ons:

 The Mentor should be an Elder or Deacon in Full Connec on with the Annual Conference.

 The Mentor should be someone that is well versed in Wesleyan theology and polity and that has had several years of experience in the parish.

 The Mentor must be able to commit to at least an hourly mee ng each month as the provisional candidate prepares his/her material.

 The Mentor must be able to read material submi ed by the provisional candidate and oﬀer appropriate feedback to help the provisional candidate perfect his/her material prior to submission.

 The Mentor arranges the me of the ini al mee ng (within a month of the recommenda on). All subsequent mee ngs will be mutually agreed upon by the Mentor and the provisional candidate.

 The Mentor is not to be the driving force in this rela onship. The Provisional candidate must be the one who sees the need and takes advantage of the opportunity availed through the assignment of the Mentor.

 The Mentor must be able to encourage the provisional candidate to not wait un l the last moment to prepare the materials for submission.

 The Mentor, a er proper encouragement, should not let the last minute prepara on of a provisional candidate make undue demands upon the Mentor’s me. The candidate knows the deadline, and should not expect the Mentor to drop everything at the last moment and oﬀer feedback.

 The Mentor, should be willing to ask the DCOM to ﬁnd a replacement should it become apparent, to the Mentor, that the provisional candidate is not willing to u lize the Mentor in an appropriate manner to assist the provisional candidate in perfec ng his/her material.

 The Mentor should be willing to li up the provisional candidate (and if applicable candidate’s family) regularly in prayer.

Use this page to records notes or requirements that might arise from one of the yearly interviews.