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Candidates for Ministry

The candidate committee or vocation department of your denomination or religious order has recommended that you participate in the program at Midwest as a means of exploring the ministry as a career. The following information may help you better understand the program and its role in the candidate process.

Philosophy

Midwest is shaped by a commitment to effectiveness in church leadership. Capable leaders are persons who know themselves well, develop good patterns of self care, and use the gifts God has given in a servant ministry to others.

We respect each individual’s sense of call to ministry. Our purpose is to assist you in understanding that call, what it implies for your future personal development and life work, and how your unique gifts can be utilized in the most meaningful and effective ways.

We are also committed to eliminating the barriers of racism, sexism, and ageism which diminish the integrity of human life.

Staff

Counselors at Midwest have a solid background in the church as well as competence and graduate training in counseling and psychology. An important strength is their sensitivity to issues related to the professional practice of ministry.

Options

Both group and individual candidate programs are offered at Midwest. If you are participating in the three-day group setting for your program, interaction with others will be a significant part of the experience. The groups normally are composed of four to six candidates. Individual sessions with both the counselor and psychologist will be included.

In the two-day individual program, the focus of the assessment can include special needs and circumstances.

Contact your candidate committee chair regarding any preference the committee has related to these program options.

Program

Preparation begins before you come to Midwest. Soon after registering you will be sent an important packet of material, including an autobiographical questionnaire. This material, along with other vocational and personality inventories you will complete during your program, is designed to help you and your counselor explore your life from a number of important perspectives.

The heart of the process is the quality of dialogue exchanged between you, your counselor, and any others in the group. Together you will review inventory results (which are helpful, but only part of the picture) and compare the results to both your and others' perceptions. Aspirations for your life and work will be looked at in terms of the existing realities. Possible situations in ministry will be explored. You and your counselor will work together to reach an understanding of you as a person. This includes determining the meaning that you give your life and your future, along with the most promising directions and steps for you to take toward further growth.

In most candidate programs you will also meet with a psychologist. This session will provide an additional perspective in the assessment process.

During the evening you will have time to reflect. Some light homework assignments may be required during the program.

The entire process is open. You are invited to be active, exploring and questioning. It is our hope that the program will be beneficial to you as well as the candidate committee.

Report

Following the program your counselor will prepare a written report and send it to you. This report will contain a summary of the findings, insights, and recommendations gained during your program. After you have signed a written release, the report will be shared with the candidate committee.

Registration

Programs should be scheduled directly with one of our offices well in advance of your candidate committee deadline. We recommend that you call at least four months ahead of the deadline to allow adequate time to schedule your program, to prepare pre-program materials, and for Midwest to prepare and process your written report.

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