A minister may apply for restoration to good standing and the return of his or her credential provided the recovery team assigned to the minister favorably supports such application and can attest that the minister has participated actively and consistently for at least two years in a recovery process under its supervision. A minister who, in his or her judgment, has endeavored to participate actively and consistently for at least four years in such a recovery process may apply for restoration to good standing with or without the favorable support of the application by the recovery team.
When a minister under discipline has pursued participation in recovery from the outset, the minimum time required before applying for restoration to good standing shall commence with the earlier of the first official meeting of the minister with the recovery team or 60 days after the date a recovery team was initially assigned to the minister. In cases where a minister postponed or interrupted his or her participation in the recovery process, the district superintendent in consultation with the recovery team shall determine whether the minimum time required before applying for restoration to good standing has been satisfied. (538, 540.3)