Clergy Approval to Serve and Transfers

Inquiries regarding approval to serve and transfer of membership into the Baltimore-Washington Conference typically begin with a request to the Bishop’s Office through the Approval to Serve form linked below.

Please review the Board of Ordained Ministries policy aligning with the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline.

• Transfer Policy – BOOM

General Expectations

• Provisions for Clergy from Outside the Annual Conference are described in ¶ 346 of the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.
• Transfer of membership is described in ¶ 347 of the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.
• Transfers and Recognition of Orders will prioritize the missional needs of faith communities in the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
• Under most circumstances, we require that clergy from other conferences have at least two years of experience in the BWC Conference under appointment before we consider them for transfer.
• All current expectations for leadership excellence, Christian integrity, and lifelong learning for existing leaders are assumed for transfers.
• Elders under appointment in the BWC Conference are expected to be fully itinerant

How to Apply

• Submit a full Approval to Serve application >>
  • Download a checklist of requirements that need to be submitted as part of your online application
    • Approval to Serve and Transfers from Other Annual Conferences
    • Approval to Serve and Transfers from Other Methodist Denominations
    • Approval to Serve and Transfers from Other Christian Denominations
  • Download additional forms to be submitted as part of your online application:
    • Disclosure Form for Service of Clergy from Other Annual Conferences
      or Methodist Denominations
    • Disclosure Form for Service of Clergy from Other Christian Denominations
• Complete a Background Check with Safe Gatherings
  • Register for an account with Safe Gatherings by visiting our Clergy specific link: http://safegatherings.com/app/registration-invitation/4900b23424300807878c45fbd19dbfb5a26926b0e514ae1519d1a4c81826052f
  • Complete the registration details and be sure to choose “Clergy” as your applicant type.
  • Make your payment (the total cost will be ~$60, depending on which state/province you live in)
  • Complete all parts of the required background check application, which includes 2 references and completion of the Safe Gatherings Training Course.
  • Save your approval email as a PDF and upload it to your Approval to Serve application.
    • Please note:
      • You do not have to listen to the audio for each part of the Safe Gatherings Training Course; you can simply read the information and use the arrows to progress through the course.
      • You are not required to complete the separate Ethics Course as a part of your background check process; that is an optional purchase if you need to meet your annual requirement for Ethics training.
      • If you have any technical issues, please contact Safe Gatherings at 888.241.8258. For all other questions, you may contact .
• Following the submission of your application, you will be contacted with next steps.