416. Special Conditions--Under special conditions an annual conference may, by a three-fourths majority vote of the clergy members in full connection, present and voting, admit to probationary membership a candidate who exhibits promise for effective ministry in the following cases:
1. If the candidate is a graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in liberal education from a college not listed by the University Senate or competency equivalence through an external degree program at a college or university listed by the University Senate, who has completed one-half of the work required for the Master of Divinity or equivalent first professional degree in a school of theology listed by the University Senate.
2. If the candidate has (a) reached thirty-five years of age; (b) served as an associate member for a minimum of two years under full-time appointment; (c) completed a Bachelor of Arts or its equivalent degree in a college or university listed by the University Senate or competency equivalence determined by an external degree program at a school, college, or university approved by the University Senate (exceptions to the undergraduate degree requirement may be made in rare instances for persons who (i) have been prevented from pursuit of the normal course of baccalaureate education and/or (ii) are members of groups whose cultural practices and training enhance insight and skills for effective ministry not available through conventional formal education, in consultation with the Division of Ordained Ministry); (d) completed two years of advanced study prescribed by the Division of Ordained Ministry through an advanced course of study at a school or theological school approved by the University Senate; and (e) been recommended by a three-fourths vote of the Cabinet and a three-fourths vote of the board of ordained ministry, written statements of such recommendations having been read to the conference before the vote is taken, setting forth the particular ways the candidate's ministry is exceptional and the special reasons this person should be received into probationary membership.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 416
1996 United Methodist General Conference