The Synod of the CRC has adopted and placed in the Church order a set of guidelines for the examination of those being ordained to the office of Ministry Associate. This material is presented in Church Order Supplement Article 23a, p 46-47, and is printed below:
The candidate shall also sustain a classical examination. The concurrence of synodical deputies is not required for the examination of a candidate for the office of ministry associate. The classical examination shall include the following elements:
1) Presentation of the following documents
a) A council recommendation from the church in which the appointee holds membership
b) Evidence (diplomas, transcripts, etc.) of formal general education and of specialized training in the ministry area to which the candidate is being called
c) A copy of the letter of appointment from the church that is requesting ordination of the candidate as ministry associate
d) A copy of the candidate’s letter of acceptance
2) Where applicable, presentation of a sermon
a) In an official worship service, preferably on the Sunday preceding the meeting of classis and in the church to which the candidate for ordination has been called, the ministry associate shall preach a sermon on a text assigned by classis. Two members of classis shall be present to serve as sermon critics.
b) A copy of the sermon shall be provided to the classical delegates. In the presence of the ministry associate, the sermon critics shall evaluate the sermon and the ministry associate’s manner of conducting the entire worship service.
3) Examination in the following areas
a) Knowledge of Scripture
b) Knowledge of Reformed doctrine
c) Knowledge of the standards of the church and the Church Order
d) Practical matters regarding Christian testimony, walk of life, relationships with others, love for the church, approach to ministry, and promotion of Christ’s kingdom
The classis shall ensure that the candidate meets the standards of character, knowledge, and skill adopted by Synod 2004 (Acts of Synod 2004, p. 619) and inserted below.
The classis shall also ensure that ministry associates, especially those working at some distance from their calling congregations, will have proper supervision and support for their ministry.
When the ministry associates accept another call, their ordination shall require the approval of the classis to which their calling church belongs, to which the ministry associates shall have presented good ecclesiastical testimonies of doctrine and life given to them by their former council and classis.
Standards to be Met by Those Seeking to be Ordained as a Ministry Associate
An examination for the office of ministry associate will require that all ministry associates meet the church’s standards for character and knowledge, whereas the standards for skill competence will relate specifically to the particular ministry associate’s area of calling and expertise.
(See the continuation of Church Order Supplement Article 23, printed in the church order, and copied on page _____ of the-tool kit.)
