LETTER GUIDELINES
According to the General Commission on the Order of Ministry (GCOM), it takes two Disciples of Christ (DOC) Congregations to essentially vouch for an individual as a Candidate for Commissioned or Ordained Ministry. Each Congregation will be defined by their role to either ‘sponsor’ (referred to as the Sponsoring Congregation) or ‘support’ (referred to as the Supporting Congregation) the Candidate.
Typically, the Sponsoring Congregation is the one that first discerned and/or affirmed the Candidate’s call to Ministry. It can also be the Congregation where the Candidate is currently serving or attending. Regardless, it is the Congregation that says “We proudly claim the Candidate as our own, and see the qualities of called Ministry in them.” Looking ahead, the Sponsoring Congregation will plan to host the Candidate's Commissioning or Ordination Service upon successful completion of the Commissioning or Ordination process, including receiving the MDT's approval to be Commissioned or RCOM’s approval to be Ordained and granted Ministerial Standing within the Mid-America Region.
The Supporting Congregation is a separate Disciples of Christ (DOC) Congregation that has some contact with the Candidate and can therefore also attest to their credibility. The Candidate’s connection to their Supporting Congregation may often begin in relationship with a Minister or an Elder. The Supporting Congregation affirms both the Candidate and their Sponsoring Congregation, that indeed they see evidence of God calling the Candidate into Ministry.