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PATHWAYS TO MINISTRY

Candidacy - Start Here

All Christians are called to ministry. However, some Christians experience a call to the set-apart licensed or ordained ministry of becoming a clergyperson. The East Ohio conference has a discernment process to help you further explore your call through preparation, participation, and prayer.

Exploring your call and moving through the candidacy process may seem overwhelming. We have created a Step-by-Step Guide to help you navigate the journey with the clergypersons who will be your mentors. The goal is not finishing as fast as you can. The goal is faithfulness to discerning God’s call in your life right now, one step at a time.

A major part of the discernment process is the Candidacy Summit. The East and West Ohio annual conferences offer the Candidacy Summit Retreat as a collaborative ministry. No matter where you are in Ohio, the Summit Retreat is a first step on your discernment journey. Candidacy Summit Retreats are bi-annual events where East and West Ohio candidates worship, fellowship, meet with their mentoring group, learn, and reflect with others who are also exploring God’s call on their lives.

For more information on Candidacy Summits to be held each January (virtual) and July (in person at the West Ohio Conference offices) contact your District Superintendent/District Office, your DCOM chair, or the Candidacy Summit Coordinator Rev. Karen Wolcott.

Download East Ohio Forms.

If you have questions after exploring the candidacy webpages, please contact your district office.