Article 7 of the Church Order states that persons “who have not received the prescribed theological training but who give evidence that they are singularly gifted as to godliness, humility, spiritual discretion, wisdom, and the native ability to preach the Word, may, by way of exception, be admitted to the ministry of the Word.”

SMCC informs persons who are contemplating entering ministry as an ordained pastor in the CRC that the committee is emphasizing the historic understanding and application of Article 7. This means that approval to become a candidate for ministry by using Article 7 will indeed be exceptional and will occur very infrequently.

The committee encourages persons contemplating ordained ministry in the CRC to look to Article 6 or
23 of the Church Order.

A. Calling

• The individual experiences a sense of internal calling from the Lord to serve in vocational ministry. This calling is informally confirmed by others, likely including the individual ’s pastor, council, and family. The council then directs the individual to make inquiry to the Synodical Ministerial Candidacy Committee (SMCC) concerning the process of ministry formation and preparation.

B. Inquiry Stage: SMCC

• The SMCC offers the interested individual encouragement, answers their questions, and determines which Church Order Article would be the most appropriate one for the individual to prepare for ministry under. If it is determined that the provisions of Church Order Article 7 apply, the SMCC will outline the necessary steps for pursuing ministry under the provisions of that article. The SMCC will also ensure the individual has access to all the documents needed to welcome and orient them to the process of ministry preparation.

C. Affirmation and Support of Council

• The individual completes a Candidates Application to Council Form and then approaches his or her council to seek their official affirmation to begin preparing for the office of Minister of the Word under the provisions of Church Order Article 7.
• Council interviews the individual, completes a Council Recommendation Form, and forwards the form to the Classis Ministerial Leadership Team (CMLT). Along with their recommendation, they also forward the individual ’s Application to Council (including his or her Autobiography and Personal Faith Statement). Note: For a Council to endorse an individual to prepare for ministry under the provisions of Church Order Art. 7, the individual has to have been a member of the CRC for a minimum of three years and had opportunity to demonstrate his or her exceptional giftedness for ministry.
• The council inquires about the individual ’s financial needs and considers ways the congregation may be able to assist through the ministry preparation phase.

D. CMLT Interview and the Preparation of a Learning Covenant and Financial Plan

• The individual then appears before the Classis Ministerial Leadership Team (CMLT), or its designated committee, for a personal interview.
• If, as a result of this interview the individual is endorsed, and Classis agrees that the SMCC ’s determination that the use of Church Order Article 7 is appropriate, then the individual will draft a Learning Covenant which he or she will review with the CMLT. This covenant will indicate what areas of study (Biblical, Theological, Practical) the individual will be pursuing, and how these 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 (EPMC). Based on the individual ’s ministry experience, the Covenant will also specify what type of additional ministry opportunities will be sought.
• The individual will also draft a Financial Plan indicating how they intend to finance their preparation for ministry. This plan, also to be reviewed with the CMLT, may include several sources of funding, including: prior savings, part-time work, loans, spousal income, classical or congregational aid, and/or other means.
• The CMLT completes a Classis Recommendation Form and forwards this form, along with the Learning Covenant and Financial Plan, the CMLT recommendation, and the individual’s application to Council (including his or her Autobiography and Personal Statement of Faith) to the SMCC.
• The individual provides to the SMCC a Criminal Background Check, a positive health certificate, and an evaluated psychological report. The individual also makes full disclosure of any acts of official discipline, criminal charges, or ecclesiastical complaint.

E. Admission to the Candidacy Process

• SMCC reviews all documents, and endorses the individual’s Learning Covenant and Financial Plan. SMCC may suggest additional changes to the Learning Covenant or Financial Plan before they provide their endorsement. Once the plans are endorsed, the SMCC gives permission to proceed under the provisions of Church Order Article 7 and communicates their decision in writing to both the individual and the CMLT.

F. The Ministry Preparation Phase

• The CMLT, in consultation with the individual, ensures that the individual has a suitable mentor. It is recommended and preferred that this mentoring relationship be with a CRC pastor, although in certain circumstances it may be appropriate to establish this relationship with someone else.
• Throughout the ministry preparation process, the individual’s council will maintain contact with them, showing active and ongoing interest in their progress. This may involve written communication and (where possible) personal contacts. The council should also provide ministry opportunities for the individual within the congregation, including the opportunity to exhort once the individual has been licensed (where feasible).
• The CMLT also maintains contact with the individual throughout their candidacy preparation, showing an active and ongoing interest in their development. The CMLT will provide encouragement, guidance, and accountability, also ensuring that the individual is a member of a congregation where they are receiving spiritual support. The CMLT may also find it appropriate for the classis to provide the individual some financial assistance.
• The CMLT also assists the individual with the preparation of their Ministry Readiness Profile and tracks the individual’s progress toward meeting the requirements inherent in the profile.
• Where there are changes to the individual’s Learning Covenant or Financial Plan, the CMLT endorses these changes and notifies the SMCC. SMCC may suggest additional changes to the plans before they provide their endorsement. Once the revised plans are endorsed, the SMCC communicates such in writing to both the individual and the CMLT.
• Upon receiving a recommendation from the individual’s CMLT, the SMCC will grant the individual licensure to exhort once all the necessary requirements have been met.
• At fitting points in the individual’s preparation process, the individual’s 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 individual nears completion of his or her Learning Covenant, the church council best able to make an assessment gives its endorsement to the SMCC for the individual to seek candidacy.
• SMCC 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 council. Once SMCC is satisfied that that all requirements for candidacy have been met, SMCC gives classis permission to proceed with a classical examination.
• Upon receiving permission from the SMCC, classis then conducts a thorough classical examination in the presence of synodical deputies. Upon a positive recommendation by the classis, and the concurrence of the synodical deputies, the individual is declared a candidate for the Minister of the Word in the CRC and is eligible for call.

(2) Church Order Article 7 applies to those preparing for the Ministry of the Word in the CRC who do not have the prescribed theological training but who nevertheless give evidence of exceptional giftedness and a “native ability” to preach the Word.

(3) In some cases, part of the Modified EPMC program can be completed through the Korean Institute for Ministry.

Summary

Ministry Readiness Profile

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