Committee on Preparation
for Ministry
Committee on Preparation for Ministry asists inquirers, candidates and Elders as they prepare to become Ministers of the Word and Sacraments or as Commissioned Lay Pastors. Meets 1st Wednesday 6:30pm @ CRCDS.
Welcome to CPMconnect!
This is a new listserv created in order to foster communication among CPM members and inquirers and candidates. All CPM members and all inquirers and candidates currently under care of the Presbytery of Genesee Valley have been added to the list. The list is set up as a discussion group, which means that replies go to the whole list.
Here are some ways this new form of communication might be used:
- To share resources (Examples: Where to go for career counseling, for courses to help prepare for ords, links to denominational resources for the inquirer and candidate process, spiritual direction.)
- To ask questions (Examples: How do I apply for financial aid? I failed one of my ords and I’d like to talk to another candidate; can someone help me?)
- To clarify procedures (Examples: Explanation of process of moving from inquirer to candidate status, flow chart of the entire process of inquiry and candidacy.)
To use the list just send email to cmpconnect@pbygenval.org. Please note that messages can only be sent from e-mail addresses which are part of the list. So, if you change your address, be sure to let know so we can update the list.
Mission
Membership: 18 (equal number of elders and ministers).
To enter into a covenant relationship with those preparing to become Ministers of the Word and Sacraments or as Commissioned Lay Pastors so as to ensure that those who are to be ordained or commissioned as such receive full preparation for their task. The Committee on Preparation for Ministry not only assists inquirers and candidates and Elders as they prepare for ministry but it also provides nurture and care for those enrolled as inquirers, candidates under care or as commissioned lay pastors.
The Committee Shall:
- Be authorized to act on behalf of the Presbytery of Genesee Valley in accordance with G-11.0103v and G-14.0303e, G-14.0309, G-14.0310a, G-14.0312 and G-14.0801.
- Meet with sessions when a member of the church desires to become an inquirer in order to provide an orientation to the preparation process, and instruct sessions as to their role in the inquiry and candidacy phases.
- Interview prospective inquirers and enroll them as Inquirers or grant their withdrawal from the process if so requested and report that action at the next Presbytery meeting in accordance with The Book of Order.
- Provide consultation and guidance during the inquiry phase, ensuring that all requirements of the Book of Order are met.
- Confer with inquirers and review evidence that they are ready to proceed to candidacy, making a definite recommendation to the Presbytery with respect to whether the inquirer should be received as a candidate.
- Provide continuing consultation and guidance during the candidacy phase, in order to determine whether each candidate to be ordained has fully demonstrated readiness to begin the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament or grant withdrawal from the process if so requested and report the same to the next Presbytery meeting as required by the Book of Order.
- Consult annually with each inquirer and candidate as required by the Book of Order, and report such actions to the Presbytery.
- Recommend to Presbytery for election readers for candidates examinations. [See the Book of Order Sections G-14.0300–G-14.0314, and applicable sections of G-14.0400, Preparation For Ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA)]
- Provide and coordinate training for elders to be considered as potential candidates for pulpit supply or as commissioned lay pastors.
- Interview prospective elders for the commissioned lay pastor program and enroll them as such or grant their withdrawal from the program if requested and report such actions to the next Presbytery meeting.
Additional Responsibilities
The Committee on Preparation for Ministry, along with the Committee on Ministry and the Clergy Care and Development Committee, has additional responsibilities as outlined in the Candidate Indebtedness Policy of our Manual of Organization.