Exploring The Call To Ministry (ECM) is an annual opportunity for an individual, and spouse if applicable, to understand the commitment, requirements and qualifications for ordination in the Church of the Nazarene at the beginning of the journey. The sensing of a call from God to possible vocational ordained ministry comes at a great personal/family sacrifice and the district board of ministry wants to help those answering that call to understand the journey they are contemplating taking.
While the individual is called, we require the spouse to experience ECM in order to understand their mate’s pursuit. Without the spouse’s endorsement and understanding the applicant would be ill advised to move forward until they are in agreement.
This event is designed to help both the candidate and spouse to connect with and understand clearly from district leadership their recommendations for moving forward in ministry. It is a necessary step in the progress toward ordination.
Who should attend ECM?
- Any person applying for a first-time district license must attend before a license will be considered.
- An individual may participate in ECM before applying for a district license. If so, the participant must apply for their first district license within 3 years or repeat ECM.
- Any person who has completed ECM and then marries prior to their ordination will be required to attend ECM again with their new spouse.
- Any district licensed minister who transfers to the NWIL district will be required to attend the next available ECM Experience.
- Any district licensed ministers who received their first license prior to 2020 must attend prior to District Assembly 2024.
ECM 2024: October 13 & 14, 2023
2024 Registration Link August 1 – September 1, 2023
Because your church will assist with the cost, your lead pastor must approve your participation prior to enrolling.
The last page of the registration process includes the documents and assignments you will need to prepare for the weekend. You can download them prior to finalizing your registration, or you can return to your registration page and download them later.
The documents you will need include:
- 2024 Assignment Details and Timeline
- ECM Manual Reading Assignment
- ECM Sourcebook Reading Assignment
- Yearly Interview Questions and Essay
- District License Application (available in Word and PDF format in English or Spanish)
2024 Candidate assignments deadline: September 30, 2023
Send all completed assignments to districtsecretary@nwilnaz.org
Confirm the completion of your reading assignment by emailing clindenfelser@pfn.church
______________________________________________________________________________________
Costs to attend: (to be split equally between church and candidate)
Cost for 2024 ECM: (includes meals and materials)
$350.00/married; $350.00/engaged couple; $300.00/single
Within the online registration process, the candidate has the option of paying a $75 deposit or paying $175 for married or engaged candidates or $150 for single candidates. You can pay the remaining amount online with your confirmation number or pay at ECM.
The local church must send a check for their half to the district office by: October 1, 2023.
Check payable to: NWIL District
Include the candidates name in the memo.
Mail to:
NWIL District Office
4224 N. Brandywine Dr.
Suite 300
Peoria, IL 61614