Candidates are people who are exploring a call to ordained ministry within the Methodist Church either as deacons or presbyters.

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This is a year-long process which begins at Circuit level in the summer of each year. Candidates are required to do a placement and to produce a portfolio by the beginning of December. The District Candidates Committee meets in January and the Connexional Candidates Selection Committee meets in March. The outcome is normally known by Easter.

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Candidates who are recommended for training will begin their studies at the Queens Foundation* in September. This is followed by a period of probation and then ordination.

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Candidates must be baptised and have been members of the Methodist Church in good standing for at least three years. Presbyteral candidates need to be local preachers and diaconal candidates need to have completed an approved worship leaders’ programme.  There is no upper age limit but candidates must be willing to serve for at least ten years from the time they complete their training (i.e. three-four years after beginning the candidating process).

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All the forms and guidance for this year are available here. For further information, or to arrange an initial conversation, please contact Revd Nicola Vidamour, the District Candidates Secretary. To find out when the Candidates Committee are meeting throughout the year, check out the District Diary.