Protected: Commission on Preparation for Ministry Notebook

Exception Procedures for Ordination Examinations

Exception Procedures for Ordination Examinations

Amended February 4, 2004

The following procedure is to be followed when considering an exception after the second failure of a Standard Ordination Examination or the Bible Content Examination:

Pittsburgh Presbytery through its Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) rather discourages the making of exceptions for ordination requirements and will do so only under extraordinary circumstances. Therefore, the taking of exams a third time and perhaps a fourth will be encouraged. However, this “alternative means” may be considered after a second failure to pass one of the exams, but only if the following conditions are met: the difficulty has not to do with content but rather with individual test taking challenges, and if the Candidate is otherwise ready to receive a call.

Before the Care Team may move that CPM consider an alternative means to measure competence in one area, the Care Team shall have reviewed with the Candidate the previous exams, the cause for failure, how inadequacies might be addressed (further course work, reading lists, tutoring, test-taking strategy). If the Care Team believes the difficulty is not with content but with test-taking challenges, it may move CPM to consider an exception.

For the Examinations other than Bible Content CPM will proceed to develop a testing procedure in the following manner:

1. CPM will establish a Resource Team which will include a seminary professor, members of Presbytery experienced in grading Standard Ordination Examinations and the Care Team.
2. The Resource Team will devise an adequate test, which may be a written examination, an oral examination, or a paper to be prepared, such paper will then be evaluated by the Resource Team upon its completion.
3. The Care Team will meet with the student to discuss the type and nature of the examination, as well as the date, time and place at which it will be administered or the date on which the paper is to be submitted. The Candidate’s participation in this process will be construed by the Candidate as giving permission for all parties involved, including all members of CPM, to evaluate the examination or paper.
4. The Care Team will proctor the examination or receive the written paper, convene the Resource Team to evaluate the result and report to CPM.
5. CPM will decide by majority vote in the absence of the Candidate as to whether to petition the Presbytery to make the exception (which will require a three-fourths vote of Presbytery present). It is appropriate for CPM to interview the Candidate on the subject if deemed necessary.
6. If the Presbytery approves the recommendation of CPM, the minutes of Presbytery will reflect the reasons for making the exception and the alternative method of examination used. Such decision will be communicated to any other Presbytery of transfer or call.

For the Bible Content Examination CPM will proceed to develop a testing procedure in the following manner:

1. Ask the Examination Office of the PC(USA) to provide a proctored examination at the Inquirer/Candidate’s seminary with special provisions as approved by CPM such as oral responses, unlimited time with breaks, circle the answers on the exam rather than the answer sheet. Or:
2. Ask the Examination Office to furnish CPM with an examination which will be proctored and graded by the Care Team with the same provisions as above.
3. CPM will report the test score to the Examination Office and the test will become a permanent part of the Inquirer/Candidate’s file.
4. Proceed to steps 5 and 6 of the above procedure to ascertain the Presbytery’s willingness to make an exception.

Task Force on Ministry to Married Students

Because the Commission on Preparation for Ministry has already acknowledged the stress which ministry can bring to a marriage, which is born out by the high divorce rate among clergy, the Task Force on Ministry to Married Students proposes the following adjustments to Commission policy with respect to Spiritual Growth Mentors and Mentoring Couples:

Pre-Care Stage

The need for and nature of Spiritual Growth Mentors and (if the individual is married) Mentoring Couples should be discussed fully at the first meeting with the Pre-Care Counselor. Lists of suitable mentors could be provided if available. The Pre-Care Counselor should instruct Applicants that they will be asked about their plans with respect to mentors at the Commission meeting when they request to become Inquirers.

Pre-Care Counselors should also present the Applicants with a copy of the Standards of Ethical Conduct approved by the 210th General Assembly, advising them to comply with these standards for ordained officers of the church. An additional question should be added to Form 1B (Application for Inquiry) under

Questions for Reflection:

Does your life conform to the Standards of Ethical Behavior approved by the General Assembly?

During the Care Process

Care Teams must promote or provide this mentoring. The names of the Spiritual Growth Mentors and the Mentoring Couples of your students under care should be brought to the Commission for approval. Issues related to this mentoring should be discussed at each Annual Consultation.

At the Inquirer interview

If prospective Inquirers have not taken steps to arrange for a Spiritual Growth Mentor or (if applicable) a Mentoring Couple, the commission should urge them to do so within four months. Out of town Inquirers should be encouraged to find mentors where they are living. Local Inquirers could be assigned a Mentoring Couple at this meeting. The Mentoring Couple would then be informed by the Task Force and encouraged to contact the Inquirer, and, if possible, invite the Inquirer and spouse to their home.

The commission would urge/require spouses to be present at the Inquirer intake meeting. Spouses would be invited to speak, to ask any questions they might have, to voice any concerns they might have, and to tell us how we might better care for them as a couple throughout the process.

At Annual Consultations

The Commission would urge/require spouses to be present at Annual Consultations. Care Teams should review issues related to marriage at each Annual Consultation, encouraging Inquirers and Candidates to meet with their Mentoring Couples.

During Inquiry Phase and Transition to Candidacy

The Commission would continue to urge Inquirers to live by the Standards of Ethical Conduct for ordained officers approved by the 210th General Assembly. When Inquirers apply to become Candidates, they should each be asked to affirm these standards.

The Commission would urge/require spouses to be present at the transition to Candidacy meeting. Spouses could be invited to ask questions or share any concerns they may have at this stage of the process.

Inquirer/Candidate Indebtedness Policy

Inquirer/Candidate Indebtedness Policy

When Pittsburgh Presbytery is the Presbytery of Care

1. Require an Inquirer to meet with the Board of Pensions regional representative or the Presbyterian Foundation representative during the inquiry year in order to assess net worth and to make a plan for financing the cost of seminary; or
2. Require the Inquirer, during the inquiry year, to participate in the Getting in Shape Fiscally one-day seminar being sponsored by the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA), with the presbytery paying for the travel and accommodations costs of that workshop from the Candidate loan fund.
3. The presbytery will share the cost, with the Synod, of attending a career and counseling center for career guidance in pursuit of ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
4. A designee of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry will counsel with an Inquirer regarding the Inquirer’s level of indebtedness vis a vis prospective salary that can be expected based on the current median income for the denomination reported by the Board of Pensions and based on the minimum effective salary established by the presbytery.
5. The Committee on Preparation for Ministry will work with each Inquirer and Candidate towards using his or her available assets to pay for the cost of seminary tuition and room and board rather than incurring indebtedness. If indebtedness cannot be avoided, the Committee on Preparation for Ministry will monitor, with the Inquirer or Candidate, the level at which this increases as well as the assets that may be made liquid to assist with seminary debt repayment.
6. The Committee on Preparation for Ministry will make available on an annual basis to each Inquirer or Candidate a list of options for pursuing grants, interest-free loans and funding that may be available through the Financial Aid for Studies Office and seminaries of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
7. The Committee on Preparation for Ministry will be an advocate with the congregation of which the Inquirer or Candidate is a member and with other congregations of the presbytery as appropriate in order to generate financial support for the Inquirer or Candidate in the form of grants.

When Pittsburgh Presbytery is the Presbytery of Call

1. Any minister serving a first call following graduation from seminary who comes with any educational indebtedness, shall be required to show evidence of having participated in a financial planning workshop such as the Getting in Shape Fiscally one-day seminar sponsored by the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA). If the minister has not attended such a workshop, he/she shall be required to do so within twelve months of start-up with costs of the registration fee, travel, and accommodations for such a workshop to be considered legitimate, reimbursable expenses from study leave allowance.
2. The Committee on Ministry shall encourage calling congregations to utilize further educational debt reduction as a point in negotiating salary with a prospective pastor who is a recent seminary graduate.

Requirements for Persons Coming from Other Denominations

Requirements for Persons Coming from Other Denominations

Revised 09-22-15

Categories of Persons
Process
Requirements

Categories of Persons

1. A minister in another denomination, excluding those in a formal covenantal partnership (the United Church of Christ, the Reformed Church in America, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Moravian Church, and the Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad, previously known as the Korean Presbyterian Church in America; Book of Order, G-2.0505a.2), who hopes to circulate his/her PIF in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
2. A minister in another denomination who is already in a position which would probably be deemed “valid” for “continuing membership” in Pittsburgh Presbytery, and who hopes to become a PC(USA) minister.
3. A minister in another denomination who has been asked to candidate for a call to a church in Pittsburgh Presbytery.

Process

The Commission on Preparation for Ministry will establish a subcommittee to meet with, gather the information from, help prepare, and present the person to the full Commission and to Pittsburgh Presbytery. In the case of a person in category “1.” above, there would be no call and the person would simply be presented to the full Commission on Preparation for Ministry for approval to circulate a PIF in PC(USA) congregations. Ministers of covenant partner churches are considered for calls in the same way as if they were ordained PCUSA ministers.

In the case of a person in category “2.”, the consideration of the validity of the work would be a matter for the Commission on Ministry. In the case of a person in category “3.”, this process would be in addition to, or coordinated with, the process of the Commission on Ministry for all persons who are being proposed for calls in this presbytery.

Requirements

1. The person must satisfy the subcommittee as to his/her character and professional competence.
2. The person must be ordained as a “minister” in his/her denominational structure, and be in “good standing.”
3. If the person is a “B” above, he/she must be involved in an appropriate work within the bounds of this presbytery, or, if in “C” above, must be the nominee of a nominating committee for a call in Pittsburgh Presbytery.
4. The person must meet the educational requirements of the Book of Order with respect to college or university and seminary degrees.
5. Must prepare and present a Statement of Faith to the subcommittee, the Commission on Preparation for Ministry, and Pittsburgh Presbytery.
6. Must take and pass an examination in Presbyterian polity administered by the subcommittee. If the person has been ordained less than five years, he/she must take and pass the Ordination Examinations given by the Presbytery’s Cooperative Committee on Examinations.
7. Must be able to affirm without reservation the Constitutional Questions found in the Book of Order.
8. Must present evidence of proper dismissal from the ecclesiastical body to which the minister belongs.

NOTE: You will observe there are no language requirements specified.

Policy & Procedure for Receiving Certified Ready Candidates from Other Presbyteries

Policy & Procedure for Receiving Certified Ready Candidates from Other Presbyteries for Oral Parts of Trial

The Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) wishes to establish a policy that would provide for coordinated care for certified ready candidates who will be seeking to undergo examination by Pittsburgh Presbytery after having received a call to a church in Pittsburgh Presbytery.

The Book of Order mandates that the calling presbytery is the presbytery that will conduct the examination. (G-2.0702)

Currently, the CPM of Pittsburgh Presbytery does not certify the candidate received from another presbytery. Certification of readiness is completed by the home presbytery of the candidate.

1. CPM becomes involved in the ordination process when the call is extended and received.
2. CPM approves the ordination commission and submits the commission and the Statement of Faith (SOF) to the Stated Clerk of Pittsburgh Presbytery for inclusion and publication in the presbytery meeting docket.
3. In the past, the leadership of CPM (Chair, Vice Chair, and presbytery staff liaison) has reviewed the SOF and offered an opportunity to appear before the full CPM, depending on timing, to provide feedback in anticipation of appearing before the entire presbytery at their next scheduled meeting.

Policy

When a candidate has been certified ready for ordination by another presbytery pending a call and is under consideration for ordination to a ministry within the bounds of Pittsburgh Presbytery, the CPM of Pittsburgh Presbytery, represented by the Chair of CPM and the staff liaison or their designees, will participate in the Commission on Ministry (COM) clearance for the candidate. The purpose of CPM involvement is to evaluate and advise COM regarding the SOF of the candidate based on previously established and documented criteria and to assess the ability of the candidate to defend that statement.

Procedure

1. When a candidate from another presbytery, who has not yet been ordained, is scheduled by the COM liaison/Associate Minister for a COM clearance, the scheduler should include the current CPM chair and staff liaison or their designees in the clearance interview.
2. The COM liaison/Associate Minister or their designee will secure a copy of the candidate’s SOF for review. It is that SOF which would ordinarily be read and defended at the next scheduled presbytery meeting.*
3. The CPM Chair and the CPM staff liaison will participate in the COM clearance interview focusing on the SOF and the defense of that statement, responsibilities typically assigned to CPM.
4. At the conclusion of the interview, the CPM representatives will advise COM of any concerns regarding the SOF or the oral defense. If changes are suggested to the SOF, CPM requests the courtesy of review prior to publication.
5. At the next scheduled CPM meeting, the CPM will approve the ordination commission as submitted per procedure and deadlines listed on the website of Pittsburgh Presbytery.

*Please take into consideration a policy of CPM: If a SOF is not approved as written and defended, a
candidate under care of Pittsburgh Presbytery must reappear before CPM at the next scheduled meeting
with a revised statement. The statement presented, defended, and approved at the CPM meeting is the
statement that is published and defended at the presbytery meeting.

Removal From Care Process

Removal From Care Process

Book of Order G-2.0609 

An inquirer or candidate may, after consultation with the session and the presbytery, withdraw from covenant relationship. A presbytery may also, for sufficient reasons, remove an individual’s name from the roll of inquirers and candidates, reporting this action and the reasons to the session, to the individual, and, if appropriate, to the educational institution in which the individual is enrolled. Prior to taking such action, the presbytery or its designated entity will make a reasonable attempt to give the candidate or inquirer an opportunity to be heard concerning the proposed removal.

Procedure

1. When a care team, in consultation with the presbytery staff and other members of the Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM), determines there is sufficient reason to remove an individual from care, they will notify the leadership (Chair, Vice Chair, and presbytery staff liaison) of CPM of their recommendation.
2. The Staff Liaison of CPM will convene a review team comprised of the leadership of CPM, the Care Team members, and 2-3 additional commissioners to meet with the individual, review their progress toward ordination, address any areas of concern, and make a recommendation to CPM.
   • This step may also be bypassed in the event the recommended removal is due to a specific documented incident such as misconduct of any type.
   • If the review team recommends the person be removed, the person may appeal the decision of the review team of the CPM and may request an opportunity to come before the entire commission
   • The person will be invited to submit a written response to the recommendation of the review team in advance of their appearance before CPM. It will be no longer than 2000 words and must be received prior to the Pre-CPM meeting, which normally occurs 8 days before the regular CPM meeting.
3. While not required, it may be beneficial for the Care Team and/or Staff Liaison to be in contact with representatives from the sponsoring congregation including the pastor, session liaison, etc.
4. If the review team recommends removing the individual from care, the Staff Liaison will compose a letter to the individual notifying them of the recommendation and a brief rationale for their removal. In addition, the correspondence will include a recommendation to withdraw from the process in lieu of being removed, unless the removal is due to misconduct so severe that documenting the removal is necessary to ensure the integrity of the process.
   • The individual will be invited to bring those who might be of support for them to the CPM meeting. However, unless approved by the CPM, these individuals, with the exception of the individual’s session liaison, will not have any role in the meeting itself.
5. If the individual elects not to withdraw, they will be afforded time at a subsequent CPM meeting to address the body.
   • A report will be made, without the individual present, to the CPM from the Care Team, explaining the reasons and rationale for removal.
   • The individual will then have a chance to address the CPM and answer questions pertaining to the reasons for 30 minutes unless otherwise determined by the CPM
6. The CPM will then discuss and debate the recommendation for no more than 30 minutes unless otherwise determined by the CPM.
7. At the conclusion, a vote on the recommendation will be taken by ballot and reported first to the CPM and then to the individual.

Pre-Candidacy Field Education Reference Check

Pre-Candidacy Field Education Reference Check

Background
Instructions

Background

According to the Book of Order, the purpose of the Inquiry phase of the preparation process is as follows:

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)

And the purpose of the Candidacy phase is as follows:

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)

One of the key components in assessing the suitability of a person for ordered ministry is an assessment of their work within a congregational setting as part of their Field Education (FE) experience. While it is typical to rely on the year-end FE report, sometimes individuals want to move to Candidacy prior to the completion of their FE experience. Additionally, sometimes there are concerns or questions about the suitability and fitness of a person for ordered ministry.  In either of these cases, a direct reference call to the FE supervisor is an appropriate means of follow-up and assessment.

The question for Care Teams at the point of transition from the Inquiry to Candidacy phase is this: Has this individual demonstrated suitability for ordered ministry and the potential to show fitness and readiness for a call to ministry requiring ordination?

Specifically, we are looking for examples of the following characteristics:

Evidence of readiness to begin ordered ministry as a teaching elder shall include: a candidate’s wisdom and maturity of faith, leadership skills, compassionate spirit, honest repute, and sound judgment; (G-2.0607a)

These characteristics and traits cannot be taught. They must be formed in an individual through experience, self-assessment, and the feedback of others.

Instructions

1. Prior to calling the supervisor, contact them by phone or email and explain the situation; set up a time to talk. This conversation should take approximately 30 minutes.
2. When you speak with the supervisor, thank them for taking time to talk with you and explain, again, the situation involving your Inquirer/Candidate.
3. Share with them you are looking specifically to assess the suitability of a person for ministry and potential to demonstrate fitness and readiness for ordained ministry.
4. Assure the supervisor that their comments will be held in confidence and that this reference check is one method, out of many, we use to assess suitability and fitness for ministry. Therefore, they are encouraged to speak honestly about their experience.
5. Please keep notes on the comments of the supervisor as this form will be included in the permanent record of the individual.
6. Once you have completed the reference check, please email this completed form to the presbytery staff liaisons as well as your Care Team partner. Do not share the contents with the Inquirer or Candidate unless they are positive and affirming!
7. Thank them for their time!

Following are additional questions you may ask the supervisor:

1. What did you enjoy most about working with this individual?
2. What were your greatest challenges in working with this individual?
3. What do you see as the greatest gifts of this individual when it comes to ordered ministry?
4. In what areas do you see the potential for growth when it comes to ordered ministry?
5. Are there any areas in which you believe this individual is severely lacking making them unsuitable for ordered ministry?
6. The CPM specifically is looking to assess the strengths of an individual in the following areas: wisdom and maturity of faith, leadership skills, compassionate spirit, honest repute, and sound judgment. Do you believe this individual either excelling or lacking in any of these areas?
7. I am going to read a list of characteristics. Please rate the individual in each of these areas with 1
   being low (poor) and 5 being high (outstanding):
   • Their wisdom and maturity in faith
   • Their leadership within the congregation
   • Their compassion for others
   • Their honesty and integrity
   • Their judgment and decision-making process
8. Can you give us an example of how this individual demonstrated:
   • Their wisdom and maturity of faith
   • Their leadership within the congregation
   • Their compassion for others
   • Their honesty and integrity
   • Their good judgment and sound decision making
9. How did the congregation respond to this individual?
10. Where did you see growth in this individual over the course of their time with you?
11. Would you recommend this individual to serve on staff with a trusted friend and colleague?
12. Do you believe this individual has demonstrated they are suitable for ordained ministry in the PC(USA)?
13. Do you believe this individual has the potential to demonstrate fitness and readiness for ordained
    ministry in the PC(USA)?
14. Would you recommend the CPM advance this individual from Inquirer to Candidate?
15. Do you have any additional comments about this individual?

Clearance Report Policy

Clearance Report Policy

The report of a record from any of the three required background clearances (child abuse, criminal, federal) does not automatically disqualify an individual1 from entering the ordination process. In the event of a report, the following steps shall be taken:

1. The Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) leadership, (comprised of the chair, vice chair, and the presbytery staff liaison to CPM), shall review the report in consultation with the Stated Clerk or other appropriate legal counsel.
2. If the CPM leadership determines that a greater understanding of the circumstances involved as it relates to the clearance report would be valuable in determining the fitness for ministry of an individual, they may engage the individual in a conversation regarding the circumstances and outcomes of the report.
3. The CPM leadership shall then make a recommendation to the CPM as to whether the individual should be enrolled as an Inquirer.

Typical Practice of Ministry Questions

Typical Practice of Ministry Questions

That may be used for Inquirers, Candidates, & Oral Parts of Trial at Presbytery Meetings

Spiritual Growth and Healing

Can you give us an example of how you attempt to keep a balance in your spiritual life between mind, body and psyche?

Can you give us examples of disciplines you are currently using to nurture spiritual growth in your own life?

Do you have a spiritual growth mentor? Has this relationship been of value to you? How?

How would you, as a pastor, facilitate healing and spiritual growth within the life of the church you are called to serve?

Can you identify one of the last life experiences in which you grew spiritually? What helped you to do this?

Responsibility in Marriage and Interpersonal Relationships

We know that clergy with a good marriage that grows through love strengthens ministry. Many of us have found that the secret to staying in love is communication that is open, honest, listens for feelings, and is accepting. Would you share with us an example (or two) of a regular form of communication that you have found effective in strengthening your marriage.

We know that there are many constraints that work against clergy marriages – time, finances, expectations – and that there is a need for a high level of trust. Can you give us an example or two of what you are doing to strengthen your marriage commitment in light of these kinds of pressures?

We read in Scripture that there is a history of promises made by God and kept by God. In Scripture,there are also promises made by human beings that are broken. Our theology and faith have always recognized the centrality of covenant relationships (i.e., marriage and baptism).

What sacred covenants and commitments have you made in your life? What can you do to make certain that they are kept in the spirit in which they were made?

Could you give us some examples of what you do or say to facilitate spiritual growth and healing or that enriches the life of your family and the person closest to you.

Can you provide us with examples of how you and your spouse schedule your time and find opportunities for nurturing your relationship? Also, how do you expect to maintain these times in the context of ministry?

As an unmarried clergy person, to whom do you expect to turn for emotional support and spiritual strength as you carry out your ministry?

One of the challenges of parish ministry is maintaining strong personal friendships while serving as a pastor. Where do you expect to develop friendships as a pastor? Do you see problems in having close  friends in the congregation you serve? What steps will you take to minimize or overcome such problems?

Community Building, Worship, Pastoral Care, and Counseling

What recent experience do you have in group dynamics and/or community building?

Would you share with us a significant worship experience in your life, and how you might as a pastor help other people have similar experiences?

If a seminary is not readily available to you in your pastorate, what resources and whose wisdom will you seek in dealing with pastoral issues?

What do you perceive your own strengths and weaknesses are for counseling?

Jesus, the Great Commission found in Matthew 28, directs His disciples to make disciples of all nations. How will you make disciples of the people in the congregation you are called to serve?

Can you give us an example of a deep personal loss in your life? How did you deal with your grief? How would you help someone else deal with their grief?

A parishioner says, “I can’t pray anymore. I don’t feel as if my prayers are getting through. What can I do to feel more in touch with God?” What would you say to this person?

You have been called to the hospital because a young couple’s infant daughter has died. How will you comfort and support them?

A lady comes into your office that is a “pillar” of the church. She has just discovered that her daughter is living with her boyfriend. She is very upset and asks you what she should do. What would you tell her?

A fellow clergy member shares with you that she is strongly attracted to and feels emotionally involved with a man whom she has been counseling. She asks you for help. How do you respond?

Initial Consultation Guidelines

Initial Consultation Guidelines

The Initial Consultation should be conducted by the Care Team within the first ninety (90) days of an applicant coming under care as an Inquirer. Following are touch points that need to be part of that conversation:

1. READ & GET TO KNOW the “Ordination Process in Pittsburgh Presbytery”.
2. Emphasize the seminary requirements for graduation ARE NOT THE SAME as the requirements of the respective presbyteries for ordination.
3. Go to the CPM Forms and CPM Guidelines & Resources pages on the presbytery website to become familiar with the documents and information available. These pages, along with the Ordination Process page will be the most important source of information for this process.
4. All PC(USA) forms linked on the CPM Forms page are an online JotForm or a writeable PDF format and can be saved to your computer then emailed. PLEASE DO NOT SEND HARD COPIES OF ANY FORM TO THE PRESBYTERY.
5. Take steps toward registering for the Bible Content Examination:
   • Check the online registration deadline
   • Submit a request to take the examination through Care Team from CPM
   • Complete the registration once approved to do so by CPM
   • Email a copy of the registration confirmation for reimbursement to presbytery staff liaisons for CPM.
6. Complete a Vocational Assessment within the first 6 months of becoming an Inquirer. The cost of which is shared three ways (40% session, 40% presbytery, 20% Inquirer).
7. Select a spiritual mentor and a marriage mentor if married:
   • Meet with at least twice a year
   • Should be approved by the Care Team
8. Review “CPM Standards & Measures” , (adopted 12/03/2003) particularly D under “Additional Measures.”
9. Review Field Education standards listed below:
   • Required of all inquirers and candidates
   • Home church cannot serve as sole field education experience
   • One field education experience must be different from home church in terms of type of church
   • One field education experience must be in a PC(USA) church
   • Care team must validate field education before it is undertaken
   • Care team must receive and review report from field education supervisor
   • Inquirer/candidate has responsibility for ensuring that report is sent to care team.
   • Care team is encouraged to contact supervisor by telephone
10. Negative news and turnover of Care Team members require a face-to-face meeting.
11. Care Team initiates communication to determine a date for the first Annual Consultation.
12. Complete, save, and email “Pre-Interview Annual Consultation Report” (Form 3) to the Care Team and to presbytery staff liaisons one week prior to consultation.

Annual Consultation Guidelines

Annual Consultation Guidelines

Goals

• To involve the active participation of the Inquirer/Candidate
• To nourish growth and development
• To develop goals and objectives
• To evaluate progress
• To provide supportive relationships
• To remind the Inquirer/Candidate of the next step(s) in the process

Resources

Book of Order G-14.0300 through G-14.0405

Preparation for Ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA): A Manual

Ordination Process in Pittsburgh Presbytery

Pre-Consultation Procedures

Have Inquirer/Candidate submit the Pre-Interview Annual Consultation Report (Form 3) allowing time for it to be completed and returned at least one week prior to the Annual Consultation.

Both Care Team members study the pre-interview report prior to the Annual Consultation. Also review College and Seminary Transcripts, Field Education Reports, the Vocational Assessment Report, and previous Annual Consultation Reports.

The Annual Consultation

• It is important for both Care Team members to participate.
• Use the Pre-Interview Report (Form 3), the Annual Consultation Report (Form 4), College and Seminary Transcripts, the Vocational Assessment, Field Education Reports, and previous Annual Consultations to guide and determine the format of the Annual Consultation.
• Open and close the Consultation with prayer.
• Assess whether growth is taking place and who the emerging person is as a whole, trying to determine growth for Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the areas outlined in Form 4, being mindful of the needs for faith, spirituality, temperament, abilities, motivation, capacity for continuing growth, and spouse/family support.
• Discuss outcomes of spiritual mentor meetings and married couple mentor meetings (if applicable).
• Discuss the person’s worship and other involvement in a Presbyterian Church (USA).
• Discuss the issues of: sex, substance abuse, money, higher standards to which clergy are held, and how they take care of themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.
• Review the field education supervisor report with the person and discuss future plans for additional field education.
• Discuss in depth those areas and issues which are of concern and which need further clarification.
• Identify where more work is required.
• Negotiate and develop new growth objectives with the Inquirer/Candidate.
• Discuss with the Inquirer/Candidate whether continuation in the process will be recommended.

The Annual Consultation Report

• Reply to all areas of Annual Consultation Report (Form 4)
• Indicate your recommendation as to continuation of the process.
• The Inquirer/Candidate must sign the Annual Consultation Report (Form 4).
• Indicate recommendations for further requirements and have the Inquirer/Candidate sign that section.
• Present the report to the Commission on Preparation for Ministry for approval.
• The Report will be distributed as follows:

→Inquirer/Candidate
→Session
→Theological Institution
→Commission File
→Care Team

Pre-Care Consultation Guidelines

Pre-Care Consultation Guidelines

1. Review the forms the applicant submitted ahead of time (Forms 1 & 2) and ask questions for clarification. Verify contact information.
2. Spend time letting the person tell you about themselves (family, home town, etc.).
3. Ask them to tell you their faith story and why he/she wants to become a pastor. (This is covered in the material and what we ask him/her to do before the commission, but it is always good to hear.)
4. Review what normally happens at the commission meeting and briefly review the care process as a whole.
5. Stress the importance of the candidate driving the process. It is his/her personal responsibility to make sure things get done.
6. Let him/her know all child abuse, criminal, and federal criminal history clearances/reports must be submitted within six months of enrollment as an Inquirer into the care process of Pittsburgh Presbytery and prior to any Field Education experience.
7. Answer any questions he/she might have.

Session Visit Guidelines

Session Visit Guidelines

1. Introduce yourself, what church you are from and how long you have been a member of the commission.
2. Distribute the outline of the Ordination Process in Pittsburgh Presbytery. Check to find out how many copies you need to make. If you don’t have easy way to make copies, you may ask the church to download the form and make the copies for their session.
3. You are welcome to use the Session Visit PowerPoint that outlines the care process for talking points.
4. Emphasize that the session should know the applicant the best, and therefore also need to sense the call to the ministry for this person. If they don’t think the person will make a good minister, they should speak up and ask questions.
5. Emphasize session expenses for psychological and vocational testing.
6. Answer any questions that they may have about the process. If you don’t know the answer, tell them that you can find out and call the church the next day.

Following is a detailed script provided as a guide:

Congratulations!

Read I Timothy 3:1-7

I am going to speak to you tonight about two subjects – one is the process by which someone is ordained in the Presbyterian Church, the other is the great responsibility you, as the Session of this church, have regarding (name of applicant).

First, let’s talk about the process. The preparation for ministry process involves two phases: Inquiry and Candidacy. These two phases are designed to explore the call, evaluate the gifts and support the preparation of men and women who feel themselves called to be ministers. The Inquiry phase focuses primarily on exploring and testing the individual’s call; the Candidacy phase is primarily concerned with the preparation for ministry.

A church member, who must be a member of this church for at least six months, is encouraged to formally become an Inquirer soon after they have made their personal decision to explore the ministry so that the Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) can provide them with support and counsel as early as possible. Our meeting with you tonight is the second step in this process.

Following this you will interview (applicant) to determine his/her readiness to prepare for the ministry. The Session is very important at this point in the process. A man or woman experiences God’s call to ministry privately. The church, however, should be able to affirm that individual’s gifts for ministry. We Presbyterians have always believed that the call of the Holy Spirit must also be a call of the church. The church is given the responsibility of helping the person determine if this is a valid working of the Spirit in his or her life. It is sometimes difficult for a Session to determine the validity of a person’s call to the ministry. The person may be a good friend, an active church worker, and yet the Session has reservations about whether he or she is called to the ministry.

It is our custom to call the actions of the Session and the CPM by the colorful term “gate keeping.” Somebody has to decide whether or not a person is really ready to prepare for the ministry. It is important to stop a person as early as possible if they are not called to the pastorate. It is our position that the local Session is in the best place to make that judgment. It may be very difficult to say no, but it is often the kindest thing to do. The process, from beginning to end, is not an easy one. You, the Session, as the “gatekeeper,” tend the entrance into the care process. Thus, you, to a large extent, determine the caliber of our church’s professional leadership.

Following this meeting tonight, you will interview the applicant)to determine their readiness to prepare for the ministry. We suggest that they be examined in three areas:

1. Personal relationship to Jesus Christ;
2. Involvement in the church;
3. Motivation and sense of call.

Questions you may want to ask:

1. How would you describe your faith journey?
2. Why do you think you are called to ministry?
3. How is your faith currently being expressed through participation in worship, the life and mission of this congregation? In the past?
4. What talents for ministry do you possess? i.e., ability to communicate, interpersonal skills, leadership and administrative abilities.
5. What plans have you made for your education?

Should you decide to recommend that the applicant be enrolled as an Inquirer, you will appoint an Elder to be a liaison with the Inquirer and the CPM. That person will accompany the applicant to the interviews with the CPM and the Presbytery. The liaison will be asked to state briefly why the Session is endorsing the Inquirer. This process will be repeated when the Inquirer moves to the Candidate phase of the process.

It is important that you continue to show your support (including financial) and concern throughout the Inquiry and Candidate process.

Before four months is completed in the Inquiry phase, the Inquirer is required to undergo psychological testing at an approved career development center. The Presbytery pays 40% of the cost with the home church paying 40% and the individual paying the remaining 20%. The approximate amount is $900.

When the individual is ready to end the Inquiry phase of the process, they will, again, meet first with the Session and then the CPM for a review of evidence indicating readiness to proceed with Candidacy. To be eligible for ordination, a Candidate must be in the Candidacy phase for one year.

Session Responsibilities for Endorsing & Supporting Inquirers

Session Responsibilities for Endorsing & Supporting Inquirers

1. Session meets with a team member of the Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) who explains the process
2. Understand the process (what follows)
3. Session meets with the applicant
   • Receives the required written forms from the applicant and reviews them prior to meeting with them
   • Meets with the applicant to discuss his/her interest in exploring a call to the ministry
4. Act (vote) to endorse (or not endorse) the person as an Inquirer
5. Session covenants with Inquirer and the presbytery
6. Complete the endorsement form including the following questions:
   • What personal qualities are evidence of a healthy and vital faith in God through Jesus Christ?
   • How is that faith currently being expressed through the individual’s participation in the worship, life, and mission of this congregation?
   • What motivations, whether positive or negative, impel the sense of call? Service to God and the world? Compassion for God’s children? Guilt? A need for power and status?
   • What real and potential talents for ministry are evident in this individual (e.g., the ability to communicate, interpersonal skills, leadership or administrative abilities)?
   • What is the level and adequacy of the individual’s academic interest, leadership skills, cross cultural competencies, emotional intelligence, and motivations?
   • What is the evidence of his/her physical health and stamina?
   • What is this evidence of his/her emotional well-being?
   • What is the evidence of his/her self-discipline?
   • Does the individual have a reasonable plan to finance his/her theological education?
7. Appoint a person to serve as liaison for the Inquirer. The Book of Order provides for the appointment of an elder (or a group of persons including at least one elder) to act as liaison for the Inquirer/Candidate and to participate with the Inquirer/Candidate and CPM as they explore and evaluate his/her progress in the preparation for ministry. Following are ways in which the session liaison can be of assistance:
   • Learn the background of your Inquirer/Candidate if you do not already know it (including but not limited to parents, siblings, school, college, etc.)
   • Vocational interests and abilities, birthday, name of spouse (if married), name(s) of child(ren) (if any)
   • (Proposed) seminary, progress toward ordination/commissioning, financial needs
   • Become acquainted in ways that seem natural to you and the Inquirer/Candidate
   • Take an interest in his/her academic, field education, Annual Consultation and other activities related to the ordination/commissioning process
   • Share with the CPM, especially at the time of the Annual Consultation, any areas of particular need for Inquirer/Candidate whether financial or personal
   • Become aware of when the Inquirer/Candidate will be home and try to make contact, even if only through a phone call
   • Identify ways to keep the congregation aware of the names of the endorsed Inquirers/Candidates (away at seminary or at home) who have entered a covenant relationship with the presbytery and are preparing for ministry of the Word and Sacrament
   • Initiate conversation with your session on the possibility of providing financial assistance or other tangible support to your Inquirers/Candidates
   • Consider, with your session, the possibility of assisting with the payment of necessary expenses incurred in relation to visits for Annual Consultation
   • Be present, if at all possible, at the service of ordination and/or installation
   • Remember your Inquirer/Candidate in prayer
   • Write/contact your Inquirer/Candidate on special occasions (e.g. birthdays or anniversaries)
   • Become acquainted with the “Preparation for Ministry” manual so that you are aware of requirements and procedures and can provide timely support (e.g. appearances before presbytery, Annual Consultation, examinations, final assessment)
   • Discuss with your session progress Inquirer/Candidate is making, as reflected in the summary report of Annual Consultation prepared by the CPM and sent to the sponsoring clerk of session
   • The role of the spouse of the Inquirer/Candidate is particularly important; try to be as supportive, sensitive and understanding as you can of the spouse; let the CPM know if there are ways the Commission may better assist the wives/husbands of Inquirers/Candidates in preparing for their new roles
   • In a word, be a friend and lend to your Inquirer/Candidate a sense of your personal, moral and spiritual interest in and support of his/her training for the ministry of the Word and Sacrament
   • Hopefully, in performing your tasks, you will also grow in grace and faith. Session supports the Inquirer throughout his process which includes: prayer, “checking in”, and providing support as indicated whether personal or financial or spiritual
8. When an Applicant seeks enrollment in the ordination/commissioning process, a session representative accompanies the Applicant to the meeting of the Commission on Preparation for Ministry, prepared to briefly introduce themselves, to confirm continued support and endorsement of the session, and to say a few words about the Applicant and his/her journey with the church.
9. The local church shares in the cost of an Early Ministry Assessment. Within six months of being accepted, the Inquirer is required to complete an Early Ministry Assessment which is a multifaceted psychological examination conducted by the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute. The purpose of this assessment is to identify areas of personal growth for the Inquirer and areas for oversight with the Care Team of CPM related to the Inquirer. The cost for the assessment is approximately $900 and is shared by: the Inquirer (20%), the local church (40%) and the Presbytery (40%). The local church share is approximately $360.
10. The church provides ministry opportunities in which the Inquirer/Candidate may participate that will be to his/her benefit (developed in conversation with the Inquirer/Candidate) including but not limited to:
    • Sharing in worship leadership roles including preaching two times annually
    • Sharing in the administration of the church including opportunities to moderate session meetings
    • Sharing in pastoral care and funeral preparation/officiating
11. At the conclusion of the ordination/commissioning process, the session or session representative participates in the ordination/commissioning service.

Recommended Duties of a Session Liaison

Recommended Duties of a Session Liaison

The Book of Order provides for the appointment of an Elder (or a group of persons including at least one Elder) to act as liaison with the Inquirer/Candidate and with Presbytery’s Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) – and to participate with the Inquirer/Candidate and Presbytery’s Commission as they explore and evaluate his/her progress in the preparation for ministry.

Following are ways in which the Session liaison can be of assistance:

1. Learn the background of your Inquirer/Candidate if you do not already know it: parents, siblings, school, college, a vocational interests and abilities, birthday, name of spouse (if married), name(s) of child(ren) (if any), (proposed) seminary, progress toward ordination, financial needs.
2. Become acquainted in ways that seem natural to you and the Inquirer/Candidate.
3. Take an interest in their academic, field education, Annual Consultation and other activities related to preparation for the ministry of the Word and Sacrament.
4. Share with the Commission, especially at the time of Annual Consultation, any areas of particular need for Inquirer/Candidate – whether financial or personal.
5. Become aware of when the Inquirer/Candidate will be home and try to make some contact, even if only a phone call.
6. Identify ways to keep the congregation aware of the names of its Inquirers/Candidates (away at Seminary or at home) who have entered a covenant relationship with the Presbytery and are preparing for ministry of the Word and Sacrament.
7. Initiate conversation with your Session on the possibility of providing financial assistance or other tangible support to your Inquirers/Candidates.
8. Consider, with your Session, the possibility of assisting in the payment of necessary expenses incurred in relation to visits for Annual Consultation with the Commission on Preparation for Ministry.
9. Be present if at all possible at the service of ordination and/or installation.
10. Remember your Inquirer/Candidate in prayer.
11. Write your Inquirer/Candidate on special occasions (e.g. birthdays or anniversaries).
    Become acquainted with the “Preparation for Ministry” manual so that you are aware of requirements and procedures and can provide timely support (e.g. appearances before Presbytery, Annual Consultation, Presbyteries’ Cooperative Examinations, Final Assessment).
12. Discuss with your Session progress Inquirer/Candidate is making, as reflected in the Summary Report of Annual Consultation prepared by the Presbytery Commission on Preparation for Ministry, and sent to the sponsoring Session.
13. The role of the spouse of the Inquirer/Candidate is particularly important. Try to be as supportive, sensitive and understanding as you can of the spouse. Let the Commission know if there are ways the Commission may better assist the wives/husbands of Inquirers/Candidates in preparing for their new roles.
14. In a word, be a friend and lend to your Inquirer/Candidate a sense of your personal, moral and spiritual interest in, and support of, him/her in training for the ministry of the Word and Sacrament.
15. Hopefully, in performing your tasks, you will also grow in grace and faith.

Session Interview Guidelines with Applicants

Session Interview Guidelines with Applicants

For the Inquiry Phase
For the Candidacy Phase

For the Inquiry Phase

Some issues for attention and evaluation by the Session when examining the gifts and motivations of a prospective Inquirer:

1. 1. What personal qualities are evidence of a healthy and vital faith in God through Jesus Christ?
      How is that faith currently being expressed through the individual’s participation in the worship, life and mission of this congregation?
   2. What various motivations impel the sense of call (e.g. service to God and the world, compassion for God’s children, guilt, the need for power and status)?
   3. What real and potential talents for ministry are evident in this individual (e.g. the ability to communicate, interpersonal skills, leadership or administrative abilities)?
   4. What is the level and adequacy of the individual’s academic interest, ability and motivation?
   5. What is the evidence of their physical health and stamina?
   6. What is the evidence of their emotional well being?
   7. What is the evidence of their self-discipline?

For the Candidacy Phase

Background: The Session has the awesome responsibility of deciding whether or not to commend to Presbytery members of the congregation who seek to be ordained to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament. While the Session needs to remember that these people are in the first steps of preparation and not the “finished products,” it is important to determine whether they seem to have the potential to fulfill this occupational pursuit. Quickly it will come to mind that this puts the Session in the position of being judgmental. And that is true. We are called to be judges in this instance.

But let us remember that judgment isn’t all bad. When we say that someone is a really nice person, we have made a profound judgment. In fact, we judge people all of the time – and that is one of the callings of a Christian (see I Corinthians 5:9-13). Judgment occurs within the community of believers, and it can be a grand affirmation. Jesus said, “Do not judge unless you want to be judged.” (Matthew 7:1-2). That can be understood to be an encouragement for responsible judgment, not as a command to suspend judgment.

So, judges we shall be. But how do we do it responsibly? That is the question. And here are some suggestions:

1. Does the person’s faith enlighten life or obscure it? (Does their faith build bridges or walls?)
2. Does the inner sense of call seem real to you, and healthy?  (Is it a call to care for God’s people, as opposed to a sense of guilt or a magical mission that sets the person above all other people?)
3. Does the person have the talents to be a minister? (For instance, a good speaking voice, a bright mind, a compassionate presence, a searching intellect, a genuine affection for people, a love for the church?)
4. Would you be pleased to have this person be your pastor? (Granted, there is a big journey ahead for the applicant before ordination, but you ought to be able to assume that when that journey is completed, you would accept, with enthusiasm, this person as your pastor.)

The hope is that this commentary will assist you, as a Session, in making the decisions that you are called upon either to commend or not commend the prospective candidates who come before the Commission on Preparation for Ministry.

CPM Do’s & Don’ts

CPM Do’s & Don’ts

10 Do’s for CPM

1. Do keep in contact with them by emails, phone calls, meetings, etc.
2. Do care for and nurture them.
3. Do cover yourself on paper about things you talk about.
4. Do give them honest input about written materials, performance, concerns you have, etc.
5. Do speak up at CPM meetings.
6. Do speak candidly with CPM about issues.
7. Do read materials before the meeting.
8. Do be their advocate as much as you are able.
9. Do treat them like educated, grown up adults expecting them to act like that as well.
10. Do get to know them as much as possible – you are our only real link to knowing who they are.

10 Don’ts for CPM

1. Don’t promise things that you can’t deliver (check first with Chair, Vice Chair, or Staff Member).
2. Don’t allow Statements to come before CPM without meeting and reviewing them first.
3. Don’t do their work for them.
4. Don’t assume things; always spell it out.
5. Don’t allow triangulation.
6. Don’t take on the role of managing their process for them or pushing them along.
7. Don’t delay in conveying information from or actions of CPM.
8. Don’t share voting or specifics of our discussions except what we decide should be shared.
9. Don’t limit your evaluations to just theological also include personal, ethical, etc.
10. Don’t be afraid to say no.