Exploring a Call to Ministry

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Sometimes a call to ministry begins with a moment, sometimes it grows slowly over years. Sometimes it starts with a question you can’t ignore:

“Could God be asking something more of me?”

If you are exploring ministry - whether you feel confident or completely unsure - you are not alone. Candidacy Summit and Candidacy mentoring is a space to listen, pray, ask honest questions, and take the next faithful step.

What Does “Call” Mean?

In the United Methodist tradition, a call to ministry is not only about a career choice. It is about God’s invitation - to love, serve, lead, and help build the church for the sake of the world.

“For i know the plans i have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

A call may be expressed through:

  • A deep desire to serve Christ and others

  • Gifts for leadership, teaching or care

  • A growing passion for justice and compassion

  • Affirmation from your faith community

  • A persistent sense that God is stirring something new

Calling is not always loud. Often, it is gentle. The candidacy process helps us to pay attention to God’s prompting.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MINISTRY PATHWAY

 
 

Ministry in the United Methodist Church

You may be discerning a call as:

  • A lay leader or ministry volunteer

  • A leader in fresh expressions or community outreach

  • A certified lay minister

  • A licensed local pastor (ministry of shepherding a specific congregation in mission and discipleship)

  • An elder (ministry of word, service, sacrament, and order)

  • A deacon (ministry of word, service, compassion and justice)

  • A chaplain or specialized minister

By nature of our baptismal covenant, we are all called into ministry. Ministry takes many shapes. Some are set apart as ordained or licensed, some are lay, and all are vital. A call to set apart ministry involves a discernment process in which a person not only senses a call from God, but is also affirmed in that call by the Body of Christ. 

Preparing to Serve as a Local Pastor

If you are discerning a call to serve as a Local Pastor, the Local Pastor Licensing School is a required step in your journey toward appointment.

Learn About Licensing School
 

Take the Next Step

  1. Contact your pastor or campus minister and discuss with them your sense of calling. 

  2. Order the following resource to read and discuss with your pastor: The Christian as Minister available at www.cokesbury.com. 

  3. Work towards completing Safe Ministry Certification available at https://riotexas.org/safesteps

  4. Prepare to attend a Candidacy Summit.

If you have any questions about the candidacy process or Candidacy Summit, feel free to contact the Rio Texas Vocational Discernment Coordinator, Rev. Adrienne Zermeno at azermeno@riotx.org. 

 

Candidacy Summit

The Rio Texas Conference is committed to providing a clear and consistent pathway for discernment, formation, and public affirmation for those exploring a call to licensed or ordained ministry. At the heart of our candidacy process are two key experiences: Candidacy Summit and Group Candidacy Mentoring.

Candidacy Summit is a six-hour gathering that all candidates for licensed and ordained ministry are required to attend. During the Summit, participants receive an overview of the candidacy process, hear from Rio Texas leaders, connect with others who are exploring a call to ministry, and begin building relationships within their Candidacy Mentoring Group. Time is also set aside to establish future mentoring meeting dates. The Summit is offered twice each year, usually in January and August.

Following the Summit, candidates participate in Group Candidacy Mentoring, which meets via Zoom for five sessions. These gatherings provide space for prayerful reflection, conversation, and communal discernment as participants continue exploring God’s call.

Upcoming Candidacy Summit Dates

  • August 14, 2026, San Antonio, TX (Deadline: July 20th)

  • January 2027, San Antonio, TX

  • August 2027

2026 Candidacy Summit Application, including

  • Statement of Call

  • Statement of Ministry Involvement & Fruitfulness

  • Certification of Safe Gatherings/Safe Ministry completed

  • Payment for Candidacy Formation Materials and Assessments ($200 in a check or money order, made payable to Rio Texas Conference).

Submit to Eve Albert evealbert@riotx.org, 16400 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, 78248

Please print, fill out, and bring these forms with you to the Candidacy Summit:

Additional Forms & Info After Group Mentoring

Board of Ordained Ministry Glossary

Forms for Local Church Vote

Assessment through Conference Sent Directly to DCOM

  • Credit Check Form

  • Psychological Assessment (You will get these forms through Candidacy Group Mentoring)

    • Candidate References (4: self-reference, 3 non relatives)

    • Personal Data Inventory

Other Forms for 1st Meeting with District Committee on Ministry

Before Licensing School or 1st Appointment

The purpose of Sexual Ethics Training and Safe Gatherings/Safe MinistryTraining is to ensure that our churches are safe places for all of God's children and to provide our churches with leadership who help set that culture of safety. Thank you for taking the time to learn and adopt these practices, as a part of the Rio Texas family.