(Church Order Article 8)
A. Expression of Interest
- If a minister from another denomination expresses interest in entering the ordained ministry in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), he or she will contact the Candidacy Committee (see Church Order Supplement Article 8.E.1). Alternatively, after a period of sustained effort to call a minister from within the CRC, a council may express a desire to call a pastor from another denomination. When this is the case, the council needs to contact the Candidacy Committee (see Church Order Supplement Article 8.E.2). Whatever the origin of the contact, the Candidacy Committee will direct all parties to the procedures described in Church Order Article 8 (see especially the discussion of “need” in Supplement Article 8 E.4).
B. Inquiry Stage
- The Candidacy Committee offers the interested individual (or council) encouragement, answers their questions, and determines whether Article 8 is the appropriate Church Order Article for this pastor or council. The Candidacy Committee then outlines the affiliation process to enter ministry in the CRC, in consultation with the appropriate CMLT.
- Note from Candidacy Committee Guidelines in evaluating appropriateness of Article 8 and the related learning covenant:
“The person shall be duly ordained, recommended by an appropriate ecclesiastical authority, and theologically trained. “Theological training” will ordinarily include a documentable program of training that covers the knowledge, character and skills standards for ministry in the CRC”
(This guideline calls for the Candidacy Committee, local councils, and CMLTs to evaluate potential candidate’s ordination and theological training. While that evaluation must be made on a case by case basis, it is safe to say that in the case of Article 8 applications, we are looking for ordination and theological training that is roughly equivalent to the CRC’s practices and standards.)
C. Affirmation of Gifts and Character
- The CMLT and minister gather the other initial documents required in the “Ministry Readiness Profile”, including an Autobiography, Personal Statement of Faith, and application from a local CRC Council.
- Where possible, the minister’s former council (or other appropriate local governing body) submits a reference to the Classis Ministerial Leadership Team (CMLT) testifying to the minister’s character, knowledge, and skills.
- Where possible, the minister’s former classis (or other regional body) also submits a reference to the CMLT testifying to the minister’s character, knowledge, and skills.
D. CMLT Interview
- The minister then appears before the CMLT or its designated committee, for a personal interview.
- If, as a result of this interview the minister is endorsed by the CMLT, the CMLT completes a Classis Endorsement Form and forwards this form, along with the other initial documents to the Candidacy Committee for initial endorsement and for licensure to preach in the CRC.
E. Admission to the Affiliation Process
- The Candidacy Committee reviews the initial documents in the Ministry Readiness Profile and, as appropriate, gives initial endorsement to the affiliation process under the provisions of Church Order Article 8. At this point in the process the Candidacy Committee: a) grants licensure to preach in the CRC, and b) grants “Declaration of Need” under Church Order Supplement Article 8.F. The local classis is free to decide whether or not a classis interview is needed at this point.
F. The Preparation and Stated Supply Phase
- To advance in the affiliation process, a period of stated supply is served for a period of at least six months. In some cases, the CMLT may need to provide assistance in finding an appropriate ministry setting.
- Upon endorsement into the affiliation process, the CMLT and the minister together will develop a Learning Covenant. The Covenant will indicate what areas of study (if any) the individual needs to pursue, and how the identified objectives will be met (potentially through a combination of academic study at a University or Seminary, on-line learning, mentoring, and/or independent study). The covenant will also include participation in the Modified Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy (MEPMC) or an approved contextually shaped alternative learning plan. Based on the minister’s experience, the Covenant will also specify what type of stated supply position will be sought and the duration of the position (ordinarily six months).
- In addition to the Learning Covenant, the minister, council and CMLT will also draft a Financial Plan indicating how they intend to finance the affiliation period with the CRC. This plan may include several sources of funding including: prior savings, loans, and spousal income. One of the primary sources of funding is likely to be the income received through a stated supply position.
- The Learning Covenant and the Financial Plan will be forwarded to the Candidacy Committee for their endorsement. The Candidacy Committee may suggest changes to the Learning Covenant or Financial Plan before they provide their endorsement. Once the Candidacy Committee, the CMLT, and the minister are agreed upon the Learning Covenant and Financial Plan, the minister will work with the CMLT to complete the program laid out in the Learning Covenant.
- During this phase the CMLT and minister gather the other documents required in the “Ministry Readiness Profile”, including a copy of ministerial credentials, a copy of their academic degrees, a criminal background check, and an evaluated psychological report. The individual also makes full disclosure of any acts of official discipline, criminal charges, or ecclesiastical complaint. This material is forwarded to the Candidacy Committee.
- The CMLT, in consultation with the minister, ensures that he or she has established a mentoring relationship with a CRC pastor.
- The CMLT maintains contact with the minister throughout the affiliation process, showing an active and ongoing interest in the individual’s progress toward the goals identified in the Learning Covenant.
- Where there are changes to the minister’s Financial Plan or Learning Covenant, the CMLT endorses these changes and notifies the Candidacy Committee. The Candidacy Committee may also suggest additional changes to the plans during this period. The Candidacy Committee, the CMLT, the council and the individual communicate any revisions to one another in writing.
- At fitting points in the minister’s affiliation process, the classis will find appropriate means for celebrating and giving thanks to God for his provision of faithful and gifted leadership for his church.
G. The Candidacy Stage
- As the minister nears the end of his or her affiliation process, the council of the congregation where the stated supply was served will provide a final endorsement to the CMLT and the Candidacy Committee for the minister to seek candidacy.
- The CMLT reviews the progress of the minister, and at the appropriate time offers its final endorsement. The CMLT also seeks from the designated mentor a statement of endorsement.
- The Candidacy Committee ensures that the Learning Covenant and Ministry Readiness Profile have both been satisfactorily completed and that a favorable endorsement has been received from the appropriate parties. Once the Candidacy Committee is satisfied that that all requirements have been met, the Candidacy Committee gives classis permission to proceed with a doctrinal conversation.
- Upon receiving permission from the Candidacy Committee, classis then conducts a doctrinal conversation in the presence of synodical deputies. Upon a positive recommendation by the classis, and the concurrence of the synodical deputies, the individual may now be called or is declared eligible for call, as the case may be. No further examination will be required.
The Journey of Affiliation: Article Eight (Flow Chart)
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
INQUIRY STAGE
AFFIRMATION OF GIFTS AND CHARACTER
CMLT INTERVIEW
ADMISSION TO THE AFFILIATION PROCESS
PREPARATION AND STATED SUPPLY PHASE
THE CANDIDACY STAGE
“Ministry Readiness Profile”: Article Eight
(Items to be gathered in the portfolio for each individual working through this process)
____ Initial contact with the Candidacy Committee to determine the proper route to ministry
Initial Documents
____ Autobiography and Personal Statement of Faith (see tool kit p. 65)
____ Recommendation from Former Local Governing Body (last church served) (see tool kit p. 68)
____ Recommendation from former regional body (former Middle Judicatory Body) (see tool kit p. 70)
____ Copy of Ordination (see tool kit p. 79)
____ Application from a Local CRC Council (see tool kit p. 72)
____ CMLT Recommendation including Need Statement (see tool kit p. 73)
____ At this point initial endorsement from the Candidacy Committee is given to proceed with Article 8, with “license to preach” in the CRC. (A letter is sent to the CMLT from the Candidacy Committee.)
____ Note the “summary of endorsements” document (see tool kit, p. 77)
More Documents:
____ Financial Plan (see tool kit p. 79)
____ Copy of Academic degrees/Diplomas (see tool kit p. 79)
____ Statement of Psychological Fitness for Ministry (see tool kit p. 79)
____ Background Check (see tool kit p. 79)
____ Disclosure of any discipline, complaints, charges (see tool kit p. 81)
____ Mentor Designation (see tool kit p. 82)
Optional Additions (at the discretion of the CMLT and the Candidacy Committee)
____ Personal References
____ Form allowing “sharing of private documents”
____ Description of Immigration Status/Issues
Learning Covenant (negotiated among applicant, CMLT and Candidacy Committee) (see tool kit p. 83)
____ 1. CMLT Expectations: (elements as listed in proposal submitted to Candidacy Committee)
____ 2. Modified EPMC (see tool kit p. 85 for “Alternative Learning Plans”)
Final Endorsements
____ Final Council Recommendation Form (see tool kit p. 87)
____ Personal Endorsement from Applicant (Commitment to Three Forms of Unity and willingness to sign the CRC Form of Subscription) (see tool kit p. 89)
____ Endorsement from mentor (see tool kit p. 89)
____ Final Endorsement from CMLT (see tool kit p. 89)
____ (Approval from Candidacy Committee to proceed with Colloquium Doctum)
(A letter sent from the Candidacy Committee to the CMLT/Classis Clerk)
