The Committee on Preparation for Ministry provides care and oversight for all Inquirers, Candidates, and potential Commissioned Ruling Elders for the ministry under the care of the Presbytery.

CRE Preparation Process

Application Process

Only ruling elders in the PC(USA) are eligible to enter the CRE program. The application process includes an initial consultation with the CPM to explain the scope and purpose of the program. Interested, candidates may submit an application form (online at www.presbyteryofli.org or contact the Long Island Presbytery office) which must be accompanied by an endorsement from the elder’s local session...

The Basic Program

CPM shall be responsible for the preparation process for CREs

Under the supervision of CPM, ruling elders preparing to be commissioned may be required to:

* engage in basic and/or continuing theological learning
* engage in a period of supervised ministry experience
* undergo psychological testing

CPM will work with each elder participant to develop an individual education plan which may include classes at local seminaries or online classes. Candidates are encouraged to look into the CRE program at the University of Dubuque. Completion of the program will be achieved by successfully demonstrating competency in those areas relevant to the particular ministry to which the candidate seeks to be commissioned.

Relationship to CPM

All the functions of the current task force will become the responsibility of CPM, which will administer this policy in concert with their responsibilities to candidates for Teaching Elders. CPM’s responsibility to the candidates in the CRE program include:

  • Liaisons: Each candidate shall have a liaison with CPM, either one teaching or one ruling elder, who will work with the candidate to propose to the whole committee the individual education plans and field education internships.
  • The whole committee will be responsible for approving individual education plans.
  • Overseeing the supervision and mentoring for candidates and CREs.
  • Ensuring adequate evaluation of the demonstrations of knowledge and competence that the program requires.
  • Conducting annual performance evaluation of candidates.

Relationship to CoM

CPM will maintain regular communication with COM regarding the potential need for CREs, the continuing progress of current CREs participating in the program, and the education of congregations regarding the function of CREs. COM will determine whether a participant who has completed the program is suited for a particular assignment and will recommend to Presbytery any commissions to be conferred. COM is the final determiner of which commissions shall be renewed, and oversees the supervision and mentoring of CREs as soon as they receive a commission.

Candidates from other Presbyteries or in process of CRE preparation before Presbytery passage of these requirements

Any candidate from another Presbytery or in the CRE preparation process before the passage of these requirements by the Presbytery of Long Island must fulfill all of the requirements set forth.

All persons in the care process must submit their paperwork for each CPM meeting at least two weeks prior to the meeting for which they are scheduled to meet with the commission. Please email paperwork to the Presbytery office at adminassociate@presbyteryofli.org. 
Please note: the receipt of paperwork in this timely manner allows each member of CPM to read your forms and be fully prepared to discern with you during the meeting. If forms are not received by the due date, inquirers/candidates/Commissioned Ruling Elders will be rescheduled to a future meeting.
Questions please call the Presbytery office 631-499-7171