LMC Onboarding Process
South Central District
As interim district Bishop I have been asked how congregations and pastors should begin the process of moving through the on-boarding process to full membership in LMC.
The first step is for a congregation to complete the “on-boarding” process and be officially received into LMC. Then the pastor(s) complete the credential approval process. While these can be worked at simultaneously, congregations should become a part of LMC before pastoral credentials in that congregation are approved since credentials are tied to a congregation.
Congregational Approval
The approval process for congregations begins by completing two surveys: 1. A “Church-Bio” should be submitted to the district Bishop (Kurt Horst): This is a brief (not more than one-page) introduction of your congregation. (Samples are available by contacting Kurt Horst.) It should include a short history of the congregation; a snapshot of current attendance, general age and ethnicity makeup of the congregation and membership; congregational vision/mission statements and any activities or ministries the congregation is recognized for in the community. 2. A “Congregational Profile” that can be accessed at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdG88SAxugYOjBTxIquvgfX3k8CUBZE8DJPFzB0jdmpIqdy-Q/viewform
Once these are completed the information goes to the LMC Bishop board for recommendation and approval.Credential Approval
The process begins by contacting Kurt Horst (interim district Bishop) so that LMC can be informed,a procedural checklist can be started with LMC Credentialing Commission, and plans for a future interview can be added to the LMC Credentialing Commission calendar.
The South Central Credentialed Leader or the Credential Candidate will be provided with a packet containing necessary information and links:
● CLI (Credentialing Leadership Information form) to be completed by the candidate (preferably completed online)
● Instructions for completing a Doctrinal statement
● Spouse form (if applicable)
● Covenant of Sexual Ethics form
● Authorization for Disclosure form
● Instructions for completing background clearances. For all states other than Pennsylvania these are to be completed by the candidate and submitted either directly to the LMC office or through the district bishop.
- FBI Criminal Background Check: fingerprints must be made at designated locations in your State. Fingerprint cards can usually be done at local or county police offices. Contact the local police department for details.
- Criminal background and child abuse history clearance: https://www.protectmyministry.com/background-checks/personal/ (Choose “Standard” when the form asks for type of background check)
- Mandated Reporting Training. Training is done through an online course that will take 4-6 hours to complete. It is available at: www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu and is free to candidates in ALL States in the US. Be sure to print a certificate when you complete the training. [For South Central pastors the “Healthy Boundaries” training provided through the South Central Conference is acceptable, providing it was completed within the past 5 years. (If you aren’t sure contact Kurt Horst, the conference has record of those who have completed the training.)
When the procedural checklist has been completed the presiding district bishop will set a date for an interview with the LMC Credentialing Commission.
Kurt Horst, Interim Bishop, South Central District