You may not seek a call, interview or otherwise communicate with any PNC or APNC or take other steps towards securing a position as a minister of the Word and Sacrament until the following steps have been completed (G-2.0607).

 

1. Submit to the Presbytery all transcripts and field education reports from your CPM-approved and accredited seminary, demonstrating graduation or proximity to graduation with satisfactory grades all areas of study, including classes required by CPM as part of your Development Goals. Your transcripts shall reflect satisfactory completion of courses in the following subjects:
   • Biblical Hebrew and Greek (the equivalent of 2 semesters in each)
   • Exegesis of both the Old and New Testaments using Hebrew and Greek
   • Reformed Theology
   • Reformed Worship and Sacraments
   • Pastoral Care and Counseling
   • Preaching
   • Presbyterian Church (USA) Polity

In addition, the CPM reserves the right to require additional courses such as Education, Financial Management, and Evangelism, in order to correct deficiencies in experience, undergraduate or graduate programs.

 

2. Schedule a meeting with CPM to discuss your progress and to seek the committee’s formal certification to seek a call. If the timing is right, this could be in place of an annual consultation, however, your annual consultation should not be canceled or unduly delayed while you are working to complete the required elements for certification. Your liaison understands what the committee will be expecting of you at the meeting, therefore you should use your liaison as a resource as you prepare. At least two weeks prior to the meeting, submit paperwork to the Presbytery office at adminassociate@presbyteryofli.org the following:
   • Form 3, “Pre-consultation Report on Development Areas”
   • A sermon which should be no more than 12 minutes in length including the scripture reading
   • An exegesis report of the biblical material out of which the sermon arose
   • Statement of Faith reflecting your personal faith (not a restatement of a creed). The statement should be no longer than one page and address doctrines such as the nature of the Godhead, the meaning of salvation, the life and mission of the Church, the authority of Scripture and the role of the Sacraments.
   • A draft of your Personal Information Form (PIF)

 

3. Meet with CPM to seek certification
   • Deliver the sermon
   • Discuss and answer questions related to the sermon and all other materials submitted to the committee. The committee may inquire about any aspect of your preparation and readiness for ministry, looking for evidence of wisdom and maturity of faith, leadership skills, a compassionate spirit, honest repute, and sound judgment (G-2.0607).
   • At the conclusion of your meeting with CPM, you will be invited to leave the room while the committee considers your readiness for ministry and votes whether to certify you ready to receive a call. If so, you are then free to post your PIF and begin the search process. If not, CPM will advise you what additional steps are required, perhaps including revising your Statement of Faith and/or PIF, submitting additional materials, or addressing some deficiency in preparation.

 

Throughout the preparation process, it is your responsibility to maintain communications with CPM through your liaison. You should meet in person at least twice a year if possible and seek your liaison’s advice and support whenever you are completing papers to submit to the committee. It is also important for you to remain an active member of a worshiping community throughout the process, preferably within the PC(USA). Finally, you shall meet with CPM once a year even if you are not seeking a change in status, always submitting an updated Form 3, “Pre-consultation Report on Development Areas” at least two weeks prior to the meeting. You remain under care of CPM until you receive a call, therefore these annual meetings should continue beyond your certification to seek a call if you do not receive a call within a year.