431. Qualifications for Ordination--Acceptance of the call to ordained ministry, together with the acknowledgment and authentication of such call by the Church, grants to the person ordained authority to serve the Church through sacramental and functional leadership. In this, the ordained person becomes representative of the entire ministry of Christ in the Church and of the ministry required of the entire Church to the world. Though no singular manifestation of God's call can be structured or required by the Church, the consciousness of such a call is crucial, and it must be submitted to the Church for authentication. It is expected that persons to be ordained shall:
1. Have personal faith in Christ and be committed to him as Savior and Lord.
2. Nurture and cultivate spiritual disciplines and patterns of holiness.
3. Be aware of a call by God to give themselves completely to their ministry, accepting God's call to be his servant.
4. Be committed to and engage in leading the ministry of the whole church in loving service to humankind.
5. Be able to give evidence of the possession of gifts, evidence of God's grace, and promise of future usefulness.
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 his/her influence as an ordained minister, be willing to make a complete dedication of himself/herself to the highest ideals of the Christian life; and to this end agree to exercise responsible self-control by personal habits conducive to bodily health, mental and emotional maturity, fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness, social responsibility, and growth in grace and the knowledge and love of God.
7. Be persons in whom the community can place trust and confidence.
8. Be persons who accept the authority of Scripture and are competent in the disciplines of Scripture, theology, church history, and church polity, and in the understanding and practice of the art of communication and human relations.
9. Be accountable to The United Methodist Church, accept its Discipline and authority, abide by the demands of the special relationship of its ordained ministers, and be faithful to their vows as ordained ministers of the church of God.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 431
1996 United Methodist General Conference