The following resources are provided to answer common questions and to resource the ordination process in the PNW. Please contact us after reviewing the relevant documents if your questions remain unanswered. The information on this page assumes you will also avail yourself of all the information provided for candidates on General Board of Higher Education and Ministry website.

Click here  for a glossary of commonly-used terms in the United Methodist Church in general and the ordination process specifically.

Click here for a step-by-step detailing of the Candidacy process (GBHEM).

Click here for the folder with all resource forms – unfiltered. 

Local Church/Ministry Process Resources

The following is provided to support the discernment work of the local church with potential candidates for ministry.

• Beginning Candidacy 
• Form 104
• The Ordination Process

District Committee on Ordained Ministry (dCOM) Process Resources

The following is provided to support the work of the dCOM and candidates as they navigate the process of candidate certification.

• Certified Candidate Checklists
  • Deacon
  • Elder
  • Licensed Local Pastor
  • Certified Lay Minister
• Mentor’s Report
• Form 102 – Biographical Information
• Form 103 – Medical Report
• Form 104 – Declaration of Candidacy
• Form 114 – Candidate’s Disclosure
• Candidacy Mentor’s Report II | Certified Candidates
• Guidelines for Accepting Certified Candidate Transfers from another District/Conference
• Core Essentials for Excellence
• Please contact the District Service Center to get a National Background Check.
• Please contact the Board of Ordained Ministry Administrator to request a Psychological Evaluation.
• Form 105 – Application for Clergy Relationship

Becoming a Provisional Member of the PNW Conference

The United Methodist Church requires a provisional period of two years. This process may begin when half the education requirements have been met, but must include at least two years following the completion of a seminary degree. Certified candidates who meet these requirements, have clarity about the setting to which they feel called, and have been recommended by their District Committee to pursue provisional membership will submit materials in January and attend commissioning interviews in March, when they will meet with members of the Board who have reviewed the materials they have submitted. Please contact the Provisional Committee registrar (Bruce Smith) if you have questions.

Deadline #1  – Tuesday, November 1^st, 2022

These materials can be attached in an email or postmarked by November 1^st, 2022.

• Form 102 – Biographical Information Form
• Form 103 – Medical Report of Ministerial Candidate
• Form 105 – Application for Clergy Relationship
• Form 114 – Candidate’s Disclosure Form
• Official Transcripts
• Personal References List

Deadline #2 – Tuesday, January 17^th, 2023 by NOON

These materials can be attached and sent in an email by NOON, Tuesday, January 17^th, 2023. Any materials sent by US Post MUSTARRIVE by January 17^th, 2023.

• Letters of Reference
• Book of Discipline ¶324 Responses
• Biographical Essay
• Case Study – see here for some guidelines
• CPE Reflection and Evaluation (if applicable)
• Plan for preparation
• Exegesis Paper and Sermon Guidelines
• Service Setting Requirement

Please contact the District Service Center to get a National Background Check.

Please print the following version of this checklist for mailing instructions and be sure to print and include a copy with your submissions.

• Provisional Membership Committee Checklist

Candidates who are asked to return for a second year should review the following documents to be adequately prepared.

• Commissioning Interview Checklist for Returning Candidates

The Board has provided a few ‘helpful hints for candidates preparing their written work.

• Helpful Hints for Provisional Committee Written Work

Becoming an Ordained Full Member of the PNW

After successfully completing the requirements of the provisional membership period, candidates can apply for recommendation by the BOM, and approval by the Clergy Session for ordination and full membership. The following resources are for provisional members. Please email fullmembershipPNW@gmail.com or contact the Full Membership registrar or chairperson if you have questions (Contact Info).

Deacon Candidates

For candidates on the deacon track, all documents needed for either the initial year or continuing years can be found here. Please submit all materials electronically to candidates@pnwumc.org by January 17, 2023 by noon. Please review the digital version of the checklists of what is needed:

• First Year Checklist – Deacons
• Continuing Years Checklist – Deacons

Elder Candidates

For candidates on the elder track, all documents need for either the initial year or continuing years can be found here. Please submit all materials electronically to candidates@pnwumc.org by January 17, 2023 by noon. Please review the digital version of the checklists of what is needed:

• Initial Year Checklist – Elders
• Continuing Years Checklist – Elders