¶835 RECEPTION FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS AND FROM OTHER FREE
METHODIST CONFERENCES
Ministers ordained in the Wesleyan or Nazarene denominations, or in another Free Methodist conference may be received according to our procedures, provided that they:
- submit a resume (Candidates are encouraged to attach personality/ministry aptitude inventory results.)
- give evidence of appropriate gifts, graces, and usefulness;
- satisfy the conference of holding ministerial orders in good standing with the Wesleyan or Nazarene denomination, or another Free Methodist conference;
- give satisfactory answers to the questions that we ask of lay members for membership (see ¶161) and sign a statement of affirmation (see ¶872);
- complete a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator© inventory
- complete the Heart of Canadian Free Methodism foundational course;
- give evidence of having taken a Wesleyan Theology course;
- commit to take the Personal and Church Stewardship and the Culture and the Missional Church foundational courses as required continuing education units (CEUs) within three years of completing the transfer;
- be certified by the credentialing coordinator, and recommended by the MEGaP committee.
Ministers ordained in other denominations who desire to unite with The Free Methodist Church in Canada may be received according to our procedures, provided that they:
- submit a resume (Candidates are encouraged to attach personality/ministry aptitude inventory results.)
- give evidence of appropriate gifts, graces, and usefulness;
- satisfy the conference of holding ministerial orders with another denomination;
- give satisfactory answers to the questions that we ask of lay members for membership (see ¶161) and sign a statement of affirmation (see ¶872);
- complete the Family of Origin assignment
- complete the SHAPE profile
- completed Myers-Briggs Type Indicator© inventory
- submit full academic transcripts to the credentialing coordinator;
- complete two of the foundational courses: Heart of Canadian Free Methodism and the Wesleyan Theology (unless equivalency credit has been granted);
- commit to take the Personal and Church Stewardship and the Culture and the Missional Church foundational courses as required continuing education units (CEUs) within three years of completing the transfer;
- be certified by the credentialing coordinator, interviewed and recommended by the MEGaP committee.
In determining the granting of standing with the conference, equivalency is the criterion. No person may attain ordination status more easily by transfer from another denomination or conference than by following the requirements of The Manual for all Free Methodist ministers. The candidates must meet both educational and service requirements. If ministers transferring into the conference fall short of our ordination requirements, they shall have a schedule set by which they will need to meet those requirements.
In recognition of the larger body of Christ, candidates transferring in as ordained ministers shall be given an appropriate certificate acknowledging their ordination by another body in lieu of Free Methodist ordination credentials.
