Hello, and welcome to FCM!
We invite you to spend a few minutes browsing our website to learn more about us and what we do. We are a community of spiritual seekers: we are ministers, chaplains, faith leaders, and spiritual care practitioners. We have been expanding and innovating upon the definition of ministry since our founding in 1968. FCM was originally created by former Roman Catholic priests who left the institutional church but still felt called to ministry. FCM’s culture today reflects this original vision: a community of spiritual leaders who, like Jesus, want to “feed His lambs.”
Some of our members lead their own Faith Communities, in the form of churches, spiritual care programs, chapels, and more.
Other individual members may come to FCM through a personal call to ministry, feeling led to ordination, but without an institutional connection. We call our ordination process Commissioning to reflect Jesus’s call in Matthew 28 encouraging discipleship, teaching, and baptism. Our rigorous process ensures our ministers are ready to lead worship, officiate at weddings and funerals, and minister to their communities.
Some members may feel a call to Specialized Ministries, such as chaplaincy. For those with this call, FCM offers religious Endorsement. With FCM endorsement, our members can confidently go into their ministry, knowing they have the trust and backing of FCM’s faith-filled community.
Lastly, some members don’t come specifically for commissioning or endorsement, but just want to be in community with other spiritual leaders to learn and collaborate. They share in wisdom and spiritual connection.
In addition to our commissioning, endorsement process, and our community of specialized ministries, FCM also offers members a chance to get to know one another through events, meetings, newsletters, and other forms of connection and collaboration. Our hope is that once you join FCM, you stay connected for the support and shared wisdom among our community.
It’s important to contextualize who we are, especially now in our current climate. While we are rooted in the principles of the Jesus Way, we are ecumenical and interfaith in nature. We do not seek to impose our beliefs on anyone. Our members come from diverse religious backgrounds, and our hope is that whether you are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Agnostic, Spiritual, or otherwise, you will consider joining our community so that we may work together for the shared purpose of ministering to others through love and compassion. We don’t need every member or faith community to look or believe the same. Our mission isn’t rooted in doctrine, it is rooted in respect for all people and a desire to see others grow in their faith.
It is also important to share our values: Compassion, Belonging, Empowerment, Equity, and Mindful Living. That means we are deeply committed to inclusion and our members represent diversity of race, gender identity, sexuality, lived experience, and socioeconomic status. We are an open and affirming organization and are committed to principles of social justice and peace. FCM seeks to serve people, not empire. Our ministers, chaplains, and faith communities exemplify this every day through their work healing, supporting, and uplifting those in need.
We hope you will join us. If you have questions about joining FCM, please reach out to your Regional Vice President. If you would like to support our important mission, please give here.
We look forward to continuing to empower and nurture those inspired for expansive ministries in the world.
In Community and Spirit,
Madison Jones McAleese
Executive Director
