The Path to Commissioning

Becoming a FCM Minister

An essential part of FCM’s core mission is to provide opportunities for individuals to respond to their Call and engage in specialized ministry, authorized by FCM.

This ordination process is called commissioning within the FCM, and affirms your Call as well as provides you with authorization to minister to the world within your ministry.

What is Commissioning?

FCM believes that God calls every individual in a unique way, and has given gifts in order for that individual to successfully fulfill that Call in their lives. The details of each person’s Call and ministry often fluctuate through time, location, talents, experience, and personal responsibilities. In this way, ministry is a lived experience that permeates all dimensions of a person’s life.

FCM acknowledges that The Spirit calls some individuals to particular ministries that include leadership that help the Church Universal and God’s people. These persons are acknowledged through prayer and the laying on of hands in the rite of commissioning.

In commissioning, each individual makes a commitment to The Divine, and the Church relies on The Spirit to guide their ministry. Commissioned Ministers enter the apostolic ministry, of Christ’s followers, and receive authority from The Divine to serve the people of God.

Commissioned Ministers are authorized to serve and to lead on behalf of FCM and the Church Universal, ministries that contain the full range of the world’s needs: priestly and prophetic, representative and servant. Commissioned Ministers are called to embody the love of God for the world, and pay special attention to those alienated, rejected, and marginalized.

The Commissioning Process

In order to begin the commissioning process, you must be a member of FCM in good standing. Then, you will work with your regional vice president to discuss and discern your Call to ministry as you understand it today.

After discussing your Call to ministry with your regional vice president, you will begin to prepare all the materials required as part of your commissioning application.

The current fee for application processing is $160, and includes the cost of the criminal background check conducted by a third party vendor. Fees are non-refundable.

You will need to obtain three letters of recommendation. One of the letters must be from a current FCM member. If you don’t already know a member of FCM, your regional vice president will help introduce you to someone who will help recommend you.

You will complete a background check online that checks for criminal history in each state you have lived in.

Part of becoming a minister is ensuring that you have relationships with other ordained/commissioned individuals to create a support network. In other words, to find a minister that can minister to you, and whom you can minister to in return.

We call this role a ministerial colleague. It is recommended that this individual be a current commissioned member of FCM and serves as a mentor and friend along the way and throughout your ministry.

You will submit a written statement that outlines your spiritual faith journey up until this point in your life, as well as why you chose to seek commissioning with FCM. You’ll also describe how you intend to contribute and stay connected to the wider FCM community if you are commissioned.

You will submit a short statement describing your professional and academic experience thus far on your discernment journey. This may include your current plans for future training/education.

While formal education is not a requirement for commissioning, if the determination is made that you and your ministry would benefit from additional education/training, your regional vice president will work with you to develop a plan to obtain that experience in coordination with The Circle.

If you intend to obtain additional training or education, ensure that your regional vice president approves and that it has been communicated to The Circle, so that it can be accepted as meeting the standard.

You will submit an up-to-date resume that outlines your experience thus far, both religious and secular (if applicable).

Together with your regional vice president, you will be responsible for designing and planning a service that will serve as a visible expression of your ordination. Commissioning services can occur in a setting that is meaningful to you, or at a local, regional, or national FCM gathering.

Many members choose to invite friends, chosen family, and colleagues to their service.

Once you have worked with your regional vice president to compile all the required materials, you will submit everything to the FCM central office for processing.

Then, your application will be reviewed by The Circle of Directors at one of four annual meetings. Your regional vice president will present your application and act as your final recommending advocate for commissioning.

Based upon the discernment of The Circle, you as the candidate will be informed of the decision.

An Approved decision indicates unhesitant affirmation and approval of the candidate (you) for commissioning. Your commissioning becomes effective at that date.

A conditional approval decision indicates that the Circle has provisionally approved your commissioning, but additional action or documentation is required. Your commissioning becomes effective once the requirements are met.

A No, but decision ends the process but expresses the Circle’s belief that the candidate has the potential for a new start to the process at a future date and offers recommendations for the person’s growth.

A No decision indicates a termination of the process while continuing to recognize that the person, like all of God’s people, is called into ministry, but not to commissioning with FCM.

Upcoming Deadlines for Commissioning

If you are considering Commissioning with FCM, here are some important dates to remember:

  • Upcoming Commissioning Materials Deadlines
    • September 27, 2024
    • January 3, 2025
    • April 11, 2025

Already an FCM Member?

If you are already an FCM member, there is more information available in the member portal.