Minister of Word and Sacrament Preparation Process
PROCESS OVERSIGHT:
The preparation for ministry process is overseen on behalf of the Central Florida Presbytery by the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) in covenant relationship with the session and pastor of the inquirer/candidate's church, and the individual. While both the inquiry and candidacy phases of the process have their particular purposes defined by the Book of Order (G-2.0603 and 2.0604), the CPM accomplishes those purposes by promotion and assessment
of the individual’s development in five key areas:
The preparation for ministry process is overseen on behalf of the Central Florida Presbytery by the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) in covenant relationship with the session and pastor of the inquirer/candidate's church, and the individual. While both the inquiry and candidacy phases of the process have their particular purposes defined by the Book of Order (G-2.0603 and 2.0604), the CPM accomplishes those purposes by promotion and assessment
of the individual’s development in five key areas:
- Education for Ministry, which includes evaluation of the individual’s academic potential and progress, and reflection on their educational experiences in relation to their preparation for ordered ministry as a teaching elder.
- Spiritual Development, which provides a framework in which individuals can reflect on their personal faith journey and their spiritual practices to discern the will of God in their lives.
- Interpersonal Relations, which provide opportunities to reflect on how one relates to others, one’s leadership style, and what they mean in terms of the functions and responsibilities of the ministry of the Word and Sacrament.
- Personal Growth, through which persons reflect on who they are, what areas they need to develop, how to understand their call, and how to develop personal stewardship.
- Professional Development, to help persons develop specific skills that will enhance their effectiveness as teaching elders and as presbyters, especially in the areas of understanding one’s ministry context and the ability to deal with conflict that may emerge in ministry settings where one serves.
PHASES OF THE PROCESS:
The preparation for ministry process involves four phases: pre-inquiry, inquiry, candidacy, and certification of readiness. Only inquiry and candidacy are identified as formal phases in the Book of Order. These two phases are designed to explore the call, evaluate the gifts, and support the preparation of men and women who either are personally exploring their sense of a call to ordered ministry as a teaching elder or have been encouraged by the faith community to consider the possibility that God is calling them to that particular ministry. The Inquiry and Candidacy phases are required to be at least one year each.
Below you will find basic information about each phase. You can receive more detail about each phase by clicking on the phase heading.
The preparation for ministry process involves four phases: pre-inquiry, inquiry, candidacy, and certification of readiness. Only inquiry and candidacy are identified as formal phases in the Book of Order. These two phases are designed to explore the call, evaluate the gifts, and support the preparation of men and women who either are personally exploring their sense of a call to ordered ministry as a teaching elder or have been encouraged by the faith community to consider the possibility that God is calling them to that particular ministry. The Inquiry and Candidacy phases are required to be at least one year each.
Below you will find basic information about each phase. You can receive more detail about each phase by clicking on the phase heading.
PRE-INQUIRY:
This is the period between a person recognizing a call from God and being enrolled by the CPM as an Inquirer. During this time, the potential inquirer must meet with her or his pastor to discuss the sense of call. She or he must be endorsed by the church's session, must complete a career counseling evaluation, and must meet with the CPM to be considered for enrollment as an Inquirer.
INQUIRY:
The purpose of the inquiry phase is to provide an opportunity for the church and those who believe themselves called to ordered ministry as teaching elders to explore that call together so that the presbytery can make an informed decision about the inquirer’s suitability for ordered ministry. (G2.0603)
CANDIDACY:
The purpose of the candidacy phase is to provide for the full preparation of persons to serve the church as teaching elders. This shall be accomplished through the presbytery’s support, guidance, and evaluation of a candidate’s fitness and readiness for a call to ministry requiring ordination.
(G-2.0604)
CERTIFICATION OF READINESS:
Although it is not a separate “phase” of the process defined by the Book of Order, it is important to recognize that the special relationship between a candidate, the session, and the presbytery’s committee does not end with the decision that the person is “certified ... ready for examination for ordination, pending a call” (G-2.0607). Even after the candidate is “certified,” there is a need to maintain the relationship through a covenant laying out new goals both regarding how the candidate will seek a call and maintain ministry skills as the search progresses. Candidates are “under care” of the presbytery until they leave the process
either by ordination, withdrawal, or removal.
This is the period between a person recognizing a call from God and being enrolled by the CPM as an Inquirer. During this time, the potential inquirer must meet with her or his pastor to discuss the sense of call. She or he must be endorsed by the church's session, must complete a career counseling evaluation, and must meet with the CPM to be considered for enrollment as an Inquirer.
INQUIRY:
The purpose of the inquiry phase is to provide an opportunity for the church and those who believe themselves called to ordered ministry as teaching elders to explore that call together so that the presbytery can make an informed decision about the inquirer’s suitability for ordered ministry. (G2.0603)
CANDIDACY:
The purpose of the candidacy phase is to provide for the full preparation of persons to serve the church as teaching elders. This shall be accomplished through the presbytery’s support, guidance, and evaluation of a candidate’s fitness and readiness for a call to ministry requiring ordination.
(G-2.0604)
CERTIFICATION OF READINESS:
Although it is not a separate “phase” of the process defined by the Book of Order, it is important to recognize that the special relationship between a candidate, the session, and the presbytery’s committee does not end with the decision that the person is “certified ... ready for examination for ordination, pending a call” (G-2.0607). Even after the candidate is “certified,” there is a need to maintain the relationship through a covenant laying out new goals both regarding how the candidate will seek a call and maintain ministry skills as the search progresses. Candidates are “under care” of the presbytery until they leave the process
either by ordination, withdrawal, or removal.