As another important partner in the candidacy process, classes play a significant role in the preparation of men and women for ordination. Classes (1) advise their member congregations with regards to candidacy policies and procedures; (2) collaborate with Article 6 students and Article 7 and 8 applicants in the preparation of their Ministry Readiness Profiles; (3) guide ministries through the processes involved in Article 23 ordination and (4) provide the Candidacy Committee with endorsements and other necessary information.
In order to facilitate classes’ role in the candidacy process, Synod 2004 urged all classes to appoint a Classis Ministerial Leadership Team (CMLT) which reflects the classis’ own particular character and geographic realities. While the membership and exact mandate of CMLTs is left to the discretion of individual classes, CMLTs should include people who have a passion for the church’s ministry, who are knowledgeable about ordination issues, and who reflect the diversity of classis. Normally, fewer than half of the members shall be Ministers of the Word in the CRCNA. In some cases, classes may find it appropriate to appoint a Regional CMLT that serves more than one classis.
Classis Ministerial Leadership Team Mandate
The following guidelines are offered as a picture of what a CMLT can do. This list can help classes in determining a specific mandate for their local CMLTs:
a. Consultation: The CMLT can be a consultation and advisory resource to the member congregations of its classis, classis itself, and other interested parties (for instance, Leadership Development Networks) regarding matters related to ministerial candidacy in the CRC.
b. Information: The CMLT can provide information and advice to the member congregations of its classis, classis itself, and other interested parties (for instance, Leadership Development Networks) concerning the candidacy process.
c. Encouragement: The CMLT can encourage the member congregations of its classis to be pro-active in identifying possible candidates for ministry in the CRC and offer resources to help people discern their calling.
d. Ministry Readiness Profile: The CMLT can provide counsel that will help councils, classis, and those preparing for the ministry in the completion of the individual’s Ministry Readiness Profile.
e. Finance: The CMLT can recommend to classis and administer the distribution of appropriate financial resources to assist those preparing for ministry (see Church Order Art. 21).
f. Endorsement: Upon receiving a positive recommendation to enter the candidacy process from an individual’s council, the CMLT can interview the individual and work with them to prepare a Financial Plan, as well as a Study Plan or Learning Covenant. In the case of individuals entering the candidacy or affiliation process through Article 7 or 8, the CMLT plays a key role in providing the Candidacy Committee with required information.
g. Celebration: The CMLT can assist the church and classis that initiated the study/candidacy process in appropriately celebrating the progress of those preparing for the ministry under its care, giving thanks to God for his provision of faithful and gifted leadership for his church.
