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 should be directed to contact the Synodical Ministerial Candidacy Committee (SMCC). 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 SMCC.

B. Inquiry Stage: SMCC

• The SMCC 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 SMCC then outlines the affiliation process to enter ministry in the CRC. The SMCC will also ensure the individual (or council) has access to all the documents needed to welcome and orient ministers to the process of affiliation.

C. Affirmation of Gifts and Character

• 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.
• The minister ’s former classis (or other appropriate middle judicatory) also submits a reference to the CMLT testifying to the minister ’s character, knowledge, and skills.

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

• 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, then he or she will develop a Learning Covenant which will be reviewed with the CMLT. The Covenant will indicate what areas of study (if any) the individual needs to pursue, 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 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 will also draft a Financial Plan indicating how they intend to finance the affiliation period with the CRC. This plan, also to be reviewed with the CMLT, 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 CMLT completes a Classis Recommendation Form and forwards this form, along with the Learning Covenant, Financial Plan, and copies of the endorsements from prior councils and/or classes, to the SMCC.
• The minister provides to the SMCC an Autobiography, Personal Statement of Faith, a copy of their credentials, a copy of their academic degrees, 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 Affiliation Process

• SMCC reviews all documents, and endorses the minister’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 welcomes the individual to the affiliation process under the provisions of Church Order Article 8 and communicates that welcome in writing to both the minister and the CMLT.

F. The Stated Supply Phase

• To advance the affiliation process, a period of stated supply is initiated for a period of six months. In some cases, the SMCC may need to provide assistance in finding an appropriate ministry setting.
• The CMLT, in consultation with the minister, ensures that he or she has established a mentoring relationship with a CRC pastor.
• Upon receiving a recommendation from the individual’s CMLT, the SMCC will grant a licensure to exhort for the duration of the stated supply position.
• 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.
• The CMLT also assists the minister with the preparation of their Ministry Readiness Profile and tracks their progress toward meeting the requirements inherent in the profile.
• Where there are changes to the minister’s Financial Plan or Learning Covenant, 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 minister and the CMLT.
• 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 an endorsement to the SMCC for the minister 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 have been met, SMCC gives classis permission to proceed with a doctrinal conversation..
• Upon receiving permission from the SMCC, 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 is declared a candidate for the Minister of the Word in the CRC and is eligible for call.

(4) Church Order Article 8 applies to those who wish to enter the Ministry of the Word in the CRC but who have been previously ordained in a different denomination.

(5) 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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