Endorsement Application Instructions

FCM Endorsement Application Instructions

Your regional liaison can guide you through the endorsement process and will ensure that you have the forms needed to complete your endorsement application.

In the Endorsement process, you are responsible for securing the required documents, and doing so on a timely basis. Current deadlines for submission are posted on the FCM website under the Membership link. Note that if you are requesting documentation from individuals or institutions (e.g. letters of recomendation, transcripts), professional courtesy dictates that you provide the requested parties adequate time for their responses.

Please contact your FCM Regional Liaison or the Chair of FCM Specialized Ministries, Jeanne Hale, at specmin@fcmmail.org, with any questions about these instructions.

This form does not bind either FCM or the applicant for Endorsement. However, it is agreed that this form shall be an integral part of the contract should Endorsement be granted and will be attached to and made part of the applicant’s Endorsement file. This form must be signed, dated and fully completed. Concurrently payment should be completed along with the form.

Retain a copy of all documents for your records.

Please see below for a listing of all required documents needed to complete the endorsement application process. Be sure to sign and date the consent and declaration listed at the end of the form.

REQUIRED ITEMS FOR ENDORSEMENT

1. ENDORSEMENT APPLICATION AND PAYMENT

(Application fee of $ 90.00 and if commissioned by FCM prior to July 2014, background search

fee of $ 60.00.)

Submit the application and payment online through the FCM website or Realm.

FCM website : Click on membership tab ........FCM endorsement......Realm link

2. LIFE HISTORY PAPER

Provide a succinct life history which identifies and illustrates the ways in which the events and relationships of your life have served as preparation and motivation for your seeking to minister in this specialized setting. This should be a minimum of three (3) pages. This can be updated fom your CPE Life History Statement.

3. FAITH HISTORY PAPER

Provide a paper describing your faith journey. This can be updated from your CPE Faith Journey Statement and should be 2-3 pages

4. STATEMENT OF MINISTRY UNDERSTANDING

Provide a statement of your understanding of ministry especially as it pertains to ministry in the

setting for which you are seeking endorsement. This should be a minimum of one (1) page.

5. REPRESENTATIVE OF FCM PAPER

A paper describing your understanding of being a representative of FCM in this ministry setting.

No more than 1-2 pages

6. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Provide four (4) letters of reference from the individuals noted below. Provide full name, title, and complete mailing address of the references. (If you are actively involved in ministry, one of

the references should be your manager/supervisor, who can attest to your practice of ministry

and your ability to meet the requirements of the certifying body.)

Your FCM regional Vice-President: _______________________________________________

Your FCM Ministerial Peer: _____________________________________________________

Two (2) other persons familiar with your ministry: ___________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

7. CPE EVALUATIONS

CPE evaluations are not required, but are extremely helpful to the interview and endorsement

recommendation processes of the Specialized Ministries Committee. Please submit your self and supervisor/educator’s evaluations from your 1st unit and your latest unit.

8. LOCAL INTERVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

Local interview committee report which includes:

Presenter’s Report

Narrative Report which consists of the notes/synopsis recorded by Recorder of interview discussion and touches upon the Six Interview Guidelines for evaluating the readiness for Endorsement. Present both the candidate’s strengths and limitations with respect to the guidelines. Any pastoral or growth recommendations to the candidate may be added to this which the interview committee feels would be useful to the FCM National Committee for Specialized Ministries and the FCM Circle of Directors.

Completed FCM Specialized Ministries Regional Interview Committee Endorsement Report

A signed copy of the Guidelines for Examination of Applicants for FCM Specialized Ministries Endorsement from each committee member.

9. COLLEGE AND SEMINARY TRANSCRIPTS

Provide the college and seminary transcripts supporting the graduate level of theological education or its equivalent required by the certifying organization. Contact your FCM Regional Liaison for Specialized Ministries to determine where these transcripts should be sent.

10. CONSENT AND DECLARATION

Consent for Release of Confidential Information

I consent to the exchange of information and documents among any and all persons, institutions, individuals, licensing agencies, and federal and state governmental bodies with whom I have been associated or have information that are material to evaluating and monitoring my professional practices, qualification, competence, morality and ethics. I understand that the Federation of Christian Ministries will rely upon the information given in this application form and obtained by its several enquires noted above to grant me a religious body endorsement for a specialized ministry. I also agree to inform the Federation of any changes or modifications to the information provided therein, so that at all times the Federation will have accurate and current information.

Date: _____________________________________________

Print Name: __________________________________________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________________________________

Declaration

I declare that the information contained in this application and in the documents I submit as part

of my application for religious body endorsement/approval is correct and factual, to the best of

my knowledge. I understand that any information I submit which is intentionally false or misleading will disqualify me for endorsement/approval, or will be grounds for revocation of endorsement or approval that has been granted. I recognize the authority of the FCM Committee on Specialized Ministries to represent the Federation of Christian Ministries in this Endorsement process and its responsibility to recommend to the Circle of Directors of the Federation of Christian Ministries the granting, denial, or withdrawal of Religious Body Endorsement. The final decision rests with the FCM Circle of Directors.

Signature of Applicant: _________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________________________________________________________

Revised 07/24/23

FCM Endorsement Application Instructions for Download

Welcome to the process for FCM Ministry in a Specialized Setting Endorsement. FCM looks forward to your successful completion of this process. Prior to beginning this process, please inform your Regional Liaison for Specialized Ministries of your intent to apply for endorsement. Listed below are the Regional Liaison names and contact information. They are available to answer your questions about this process.

REGIONAL LIAISONS

Northwest:

Southwest:

Lakes & Plains:

South Central:

Heartland:

Southeast:

Northeast:

Mid-Atlantic:

Jeanne Hale

Mi Chun

Claudia Dorsch

Peter Strening

Jeanne Hale

Ingmar Ludwig

Lisa Koch

specmin@FCMmail.org

chaplainmichun@gmail.com

Claudia.Dorsch@UnityPoint.org

PeterStrening@comcast.net

specmin@FCMmail.org

iludwig@fordham.edu

dalikoch@aol.com