Journey Towards Credentialed Ministry in FMCiC

Explore the process of becoming a credentialed minister in the Free Methodist Church in Canada (FMCiC) marked by significant moments and events. Understand the combination of gifts and graces, the call and profession, and the confirmation process required for pastoral leadership. Journey from lay ministerial candidate to ordained or commissioned minister as guided by the church and Ministerial Education Guidance and Placement committee.

• Credentialed Ministry
• FMCiC
• Journey
• Ministerial Leadership
• Call

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1. Credentialed Ministry in the FMCiC Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

2. Credentialed Ministry in the FMCiC The process toward credentialed ministry is a journey, marked by significant moments and events along the way. This presentation provides an overview of this process which we call tracking . This resource should be used along with paragraphs 805-840 from the Manual of the FMCiC. Let the journey begin .

3. Credentialed Ministry in the FMCiC Both gifts and graces characterize men and women the church ordains and commissions. Gifts are special endowments of ability. Graces are special qualities of character. Both have their source in the enabling Holy Spirit. Although the church must discern who have such endowments, credentialed ministry is always first and foremost an act of God s calling and appointment.

4. Credentialed Ministry in the FMCiC Credentialed ministry is both a calling and a profession. It is a calling in that it is a response to a divine summons. It is a profession in that this service is worked out under the direction of the church that sets ministers apart as leaders and requires accountability. (From para. 800 in the Manual of the FMCiC)

5. Call: Credentialed Ministry Do you sense a call from God for pastoral leadership? If so, then you know the internal dialogue and journey you are experiencing with God. We also look to other leaders in the local church to discern and confirm that you possess the gifts and graces for credentialed leadership. Finally, we look to the Ministerial Education Guidance and Placement committee (affectionately referred to as MEGaP) to affirm and recommend you for either ordained or commissioned ministry.

6. Call: Credentialed Ministry This confirmation of call is like a three-legged stool; all legs need to be the same length for the stool to be effective and likewise all three aspects of call need to be present for credentialed ministry. Personal MEGaP Church

7. Tracking: to Ordained Minister or Commissioned Minister Ordained Minister Lay Ministerial Candidate Minister Commissioned Minister

8. Overview toward ORDINATION If you are called to pastoral overseeing of a local congregation that is, ministry of Word and Sacrament and Leadership and are willing to move to minister at different congregations, then tracking for ordained ministry is the way to prepare for that call. After becoming a Ministerial Candidate (MC), four years of ministry experience under appointment at a local church plus the educational courses are required.

9. Overview toward ORDINATION There are at least two MEGaP interviews beyond the MC interview to become an Ordained Minister. Following the final interview and subsequent recommendation by the MEGaP, the recommendation goes to the National Board of Administration (BoA) for final approval. When the BoA approves, the Bishop of the FMCiC will ordain the Ministerial Candidate at the local church at a time that is mutually agreed upon.

10. Overview toward COMMISSIONING If you are called to a specialized ministry at one local church, then tracking for commissioned ministry is the way to prepare for that call. After becoming a Ministerial Candidate (MC), three years of ministry experience under appointment at the local FM church plus the required courses must be completed.

11. Overview toward COMMISSIONING There is at least one MEGaP interview beyond the MC interview to become a Commissioned Minister. Following the final interview and subsequent recommendation by the MEGaP, the recommendation goes to the National Board of Administration (BoA) for final approval. When the BoA approves, the Bishop of the FMCiC will commission the MC at the local church at a time that is mutually agreed upon.

12. Tracking: Lay Minister Ministerial Candidate

13. Tracking: Lay Minister Send confirmation of Lay Minister s License to Personnel Office (susan.deplanche@fmcic.ca) Member at local FM church approved by Official Board to become Lay Minister; See par. 810 in the Manual for requirements and process Complete SHAPE document; MBTi personality type (thru Personnel Office); Family of Origin reflection paper and conversation with a MEGaP member and your spouse (if applicable)

14. Tracking: Lay Minister Ministerial Candidate Pastor/Official Board recommends Lay Minister for Ministerial Candidate AND appointment at local church as assistant or associate pastor The Personnel Office receives the recommendations

15. Tracking Truths This is your tracking. While there are people and resources available to you, what happens in your tracking is a response to you. You need to take responsibility for your own credentialing journey. Ministerial Candidacy is NOT an end point destination; if you are not moving forward in appointment time OR educational courses, you are not actually tracking.

16. Tracking Truths Maximum timelines: 7 years to commissioned minister; 10 years to ordained minister MEGaP committee gives one of three possible responses: yes, not yet, no; coming for an interview is not just jumping through a hoop Credentialing does not guarantee employment

17. Inter view 1 Inter view 1 The MEGaP committee, a team of 3 lay people and 3 clergy from your geographical region meets with the candidate for the MC interview when all assignments, courses and paperwork have been received. The lay minister has 3 one-hour interviews on a Saturday in the following areas: Self-awareness Contextual awareness Theological awareness MEGaP recommendation: One of three possible responses - yes, not yet, no.

18. Tracking Interview 1 Ordained Minister Lay Tracking Steps Ministerial Candidate Minister Commissioned Minister

19. Tracking: Seeking an Appointment If you are recommended by MEGaP for Ministerial Candidacy, your lead pastor and/or official board will be contacted for a request to have you appointed to the church as an associate or assistant pastor, if the request has not already been received. Ministerial experience under appointment is a requirement for tracking; you do not need to be employed full time but you do need to work out with your lead pastor/board what meaningful appointment looks like so that you experience a variety of ministry contexts for skill development.

20. Inter view 2 Inter view 2 For Ordained Minister After two years of ministry experience under an appointment at a local FM church, MEGaP meets with the Ministerial Candidate for a mid-term check-in, provided all assignments are completed (including growth areas) and the MC has finished of required courses i. Self-awareness ii. Contextual awareness iii.Theological awareness MEGaP recommendation: One of three possible responses:yes, not yet, no

21. Tracking: Ministerial Candidate Ordained Minister Interview 3 (4 yrs) Interview 2 (2 yrs) Ordained Minister Tracking: Education Lay Ministerial Candidate Minister Tracking: Education Experience

22. Inter view 3 Inter view 3 For Ordained Minister After a total of four years ministry experience under appointment at a local FM church, plus completed educational requirements and assignments, MEGaP meets with the MC for interviews: i. Self-awareness ii. Contextual awareness iii.Theological awareness MEGaP recommendation: one of three possible responses: yes, not yet, no

23. Tracking: Ministerial Candidate Ordained Minister Interview 3 (4 yrs) Interview 2 (2 yrs) Ordained Minister Tracking: Education Lay Ministerial Candidate Minister Tracking: Education Experience

24. Inter view 2 Inter view 2 Commissioned Minister Commissioned Minister After a total of three years ministry experience under appointment at a local FM church, plus completed educational requirements and assignments, MEGaP meets with the MC for interviews: i. Self-awareness ii. contextual awareness iii.Theological awareness MEGaP recommendation: one of three possible responses:yes, not yet, no

25. Tracking: Ministerial CandidateCommissioned Minister Interview 1 Tracking Steps Lay Ministerial Candidate Minister Commissioned Minister Interview 2 (3 yrs)

26. Ordination or Commissioning Service When you are notified that the BoA has approved the recommendation from MEGaP for ordination or commissioning, contact the Bishop s office to schedule the service. Commissionings generally occur during a worship service while Ordinations are held at a time separate from a worship service

27. Personnel Office To get started in tracking, contact Susan DePlanch -Personnel Office The Free Methodist Church in Canada 289-362-1555 or by email at susan.deplanche@fmcic.ca