Orientation

CMLT Training Video – coming soon!

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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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).

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

Candidacy Committee Guidance Regarding Student Support

While each classis remains free to establish its own student aid policy, the following guidelines and directives have been established through various synodical actions:

Foundational 2008 Guidelines

In response to a request from Synod 2006 to provide leadership on financial equity, the Candidacy Committee issued the following priority guidelines for CMLTs in 2008:

  • Prioritize Seminary Students: It is preferable to fund students actually enrolled in a seminary program over undergraduates, who may still change their minds or have access to more government aid.
  • Prioritize Ordained Ministry: Support should be focused on those specifically preparing for the ordained ministry rather than general ministry service.
  • Full-Time Status: Preference should be given to full-time students over part-time students.
  • Preference for Calvin Theological Seminary: As the denomination's preferred seminary, CTS students should receive priority over those attending other institutions.
  • Holistic Assessment: Committees are encouraged to consider the total cost of living (tuition, books, travel, and room and board) rather than just tuition.

Synod 2017 Directives

In 2017, following a task force study on student funding, synod adopted several recommendations to improve equity and the student experience:

  • Annual Interviews: Classis student fund teams are urged to conduct annual interviews with the students they support to foster ongoing relationships with the classis.
  • Consistent Procedures: Teams should put into practice clear, workable guidelines that include a defined application process, a clear timeline for payments, and an awareness of the legal requirements for different types of aid (e.g., grants vs. forgivable loans).
  • Classical Partnership: Classes are encouraged to work together and pool resources, especially if they are in close geographical proximity or if a student has ties to more than one classis.
  • Data Sharing: Classes are asked to provide annual updates to the Candidacy Committee and CTS regarding their guidelines and support levels to help share best practices across the denomination.

Synod 2023 Guidance on Bivocational Ministry

At Synod 2023, the church addressed the growing trend of bivocational arrangements. It encouraged student fund committees to treat those in or anticipating bivocational ministry in the same manner as those in traditional full-time arrangements. This includes exercising financial forgiveness of aid for pastors in these nontraditional roles to ensure they are not burdened while serving small or immigrant congregations.