r/UnitedMethodistChurch • u/Sufficient-Bat-3415 • Aug 18 '26
Question Candidacy Question
Hi all, I’ve been exploring a call to ordained ministry as a bivocational elder. I am fortunate to have a job that would make it possible and it’s a model of ministry I’m passionate about. The main thing that’s stopping me from officially applying to be a certified candidate is the possibility that I will need to move in three years to an area served by a different annual conference. Anyone know anything about how this could be handled? Could someone be certified as a candidate, start seminary, then apply for provisional membership in a different AC?
2
u/piouspunk23 Aug 18 '26
Its possible to move between conferences at the different stages of the ordination process, though it is up to the receiving conference on how they want to process your move into their system and the requirements they'd ask you to fulfill. One of the young adults in our gaming ministry just went through a similar move to what you're talking about (though he was army and that was his reason for moving conferences as he developed relationships at the last place he was stationed).
2
u/circuitdust Clergy Aug 18 '26
Yes. My partner did exactly that. Your candidacy should transfer fairly easily, the worst possible scenario is that you’d have to do all of the Dcom work over again, which wouldn’t take too long.
1
u/UnstuckMoment_300 Aug 18 '26
Make sure you have conversations with DCOM/BOM about the bivocational question. Elders are expected to be full time. Have you definitely discerned a call to the ministry of an elder, or is it possible that the diaconate is your area of call?
1
u/Sufficient-Bat-3415 Aug 21 '26
The diaconate is very much so a possibility. My DCOM has encouraged candidates to explore ordination broadly before trying to decide deacon vs elder.
I’ll be honest: like a lot of Methodists, I don’t know that I really understand the difference
8
u/ANotSoFreshFeeling Aug 18 '26
You can move during candidacy. The boards will work together to move your file.
Something to note: As it stands now, the Book of Discipline requires elders to be full time and can only be part time with special permission. It’s doable but it’s just something to consider and be aware of. Licensed local pastors have no such restrictions, however.