424. Requirements for Admission--Candidates who have been probationary members for at least two years may be admitted into membership in full connection in an annual conference by vote of the clergy members in full connection, on recommendation of the board of ordained ministry,20 after they have qualified as follows. They shall have: (1) served full time under episcopal appointment for at least two full annual conference years following the completion of the educational requirements specified in 3 (b) below. Upon recommendation of the board of ordained ministry, an annual conference may equate less than full-time to the requirement of full-time service. Such equivalence is to be determined in light of the years of service involved, the quality of that service, the maturity of the applicant, and other relevant factors. Supervision is to be (a) personally assumed or delegated by the district superintendent, and (b) assumed by a counseling elder assigned by the board of ordained ministry. Their service must be evaluated by the board of ordained ministry as effective according to written guidelines developed by the board and adopted by the clergy members in full connection.21 Those probationary members under appointment January, 1981 shall not be subject to the provisions of this paragraph unless the annual conference otherwise provides; (2) been previously elected as probationary members and ordained deacons; (3) met the following educational requirements: (a) graduation with a Bachelor of Arts or equivalent degree from a college or university listed by the University Senate or demonstrated competency equivalence through a process designed in consultation with the Division of Ordained Ministry; (b) graduation with a Master of Divinity degree from a school of theology listed by the University Senate or its equivalent as determined by the Division of Ordained Ministry; (c) educational requirements in every case shall include a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours in each of the fields of United Methodist history, doctrine, and polity; provided that a candidate may meet the requirements by undertaking an independent study program provided and administered by the Division of Ordained Ministry (see 1529.2); (d) under conditions regarded as exceptional, candidates who completed the first two years of the advanced course of study for ordained ministry and were admitted to probationary membership by a three-fourths vote (416.2), upon recommendation by the board of ordained ministry when they have completed two additional years of advanced studies specified by and under the direction of the Division of Ordained Ministry and have met all the other requirements, may be received into full membership by a three-fourths vote of the clergy members in full connection, present and voting; (4) satisfied the board regarding physical, mental, and emotional health; (5) prepared and preached at least one written sermon on a biblical passage specified by the board of ordained ministry; (6) presented a plan and outline for teaching a book or books of the Bible; (7) responded to a written or oral doctrinal examination administered by the board of ordained ministry. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly in both oral and written form. The candidate's reflections and the board's response should be informed by the insights and guidelines of Part II of the Discipline. The following questions are guidelines for the preparation of the examination:
a) Theology.
(1) How has the practice of ministry affected your experience and understanding of God?
(2) What effect has the practice of ministry had on your understanding of humanity and the need for divine grace?
(3) What changes has the practice of ministry had on your understanding of (a) the "Lordship of Jesus Christ" and (b) the work of the Holy Spirit?
(4) The United Methodist Church holds that Scripture, tradition, experience, and reason are sources and norms for belief and practice but that the Bible is primary among them. What is your understanding of this theological position of the Church?
(5) How do you understand the following traditional evangelical doctrines: (a) repentance; (b) justification; (c) regeneration; (d) sanctification? What are the marks of the Christian life?
(6) For the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ in the world and the most effective witness to the Christian gospel, and in consideration of your influence as an ordained minister, are you willing to make a complete dedication of yourself to the highest ideals of the Christian life; and to this end will you agree to exercise responsible self-control by personal habits conducive to physical health, intentional intellectual development, fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness, social responsibility, and growth in grace and the knowledge and love of God?22
(7) What is the meaning and significance of the Sacraments?
(8) Describe the nature and mission of the church. What are its primary tasks today?
(9) What is your understanding of (a) the Kingdom of God; (b) the Resurrection; (c) eternal life?
b) Vocation.
(1) How do you conceive your vocation as an ordained minister?
c) The Practice of Ministry.
(1) How has the practice of ordained ministry affected your understanding of the expectations and obligations of the itinerant system?
(2) Do you offer yourself without reserve to be appointed and to serve as the appointive authority may determine?
(3) Describe and evaluate your personal gifts for ministry. What would be your areas of strength and areas in which you need to be strengthened?
(4) Are you willing to relate yourself to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, or social status?
(5) Will you regard all pastoral conversations of a confessional nature as a trust between the person concerned and God?
(6) Provide evidence of experience in peace and justice ministries.
20See Judicial Council Decisions 157, 344.
21See Judicial Council Decisions 440, 555.
22See Judicial Council Decision 542.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 424
1996 United Methodist General Conference