The Selection of Ministerial Candidates
Policy Section 1060
Two methods of selection in a congregation for ordination or licensure are recognized: (1) congregational nomination and (2) leadership nomination. With the method of congregational nomination, the congregation gives a name or names of one or more persons to be considered without any name or names having been mentioned or announced to the congregation. With the method of leadership nomination, the leadership presents a name or names to the congregation for consideration and decision. Leadership in this paragraph refers to any group or individual responsible to give leadership in the selection of a licensee or ordinand. This could be an entity such as a pastoral team, board of elders, search committee, officiating minister, bishop, overseer, or senior pastor.
The officiating minister should be designated early and should be involved in the selection process. The designation of officiating minister and method of selection of the candidate are subject to the approval of the Executive Board in the authorization process.