1. Preparation for Ministry Process
The
Preparation for Ministry
Process
The Presbyterian Church (USA)

2. Applicant is an Active Member
The Applicant is an active member, in good standing, of the Sponsoring Congregation for at least six months prior to beginning the process.

3. Session meets with representative of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss with the Session two things:
The preparation for ministry process
The role of the Session in the process

4. The Session Interview
The Session interviews the applicant and does the following:
receives the required written forms from the applicant and reviews them prior to meeting with him/her
meets with the applicant to discuss his/her interest in exploring a call to the ministry
makes a recommendation to the Committee on Preparation for Ministry concerning whether to receive the applicant as an Inquirer
if a positive recommendation is made, the Session appoints an elder to serve as the Session Liaison

5. After Session Approval
After the Session has recommended to the Committee on Preparation for Ministry an applicant for enrollment as an Inquirer, a representative of the Committee meets with him/her.
The purpose of this interview is to go over the content of the required forms and prepare for the interview with the Committee on Preparation for Ministry.

6. Committee on Preparation for Ministry Interview
The Committee on Preparation for Ministry Interviews the applicant (who is accompanied by the Session Liaison) and does the following:
makes a recommendation on whether to enroll him/her as an Inquirer
appoints a Care Team

7. Presbytery Enrollment of the Applicant as an Inquirer
The applicant is enrolled as an Inquirer and the Care Team makes arrangements to meet with him/her.

8. The Inquiry Phase
In consultation with the Care Team the Inquirer develops a Covenant Agreement for guidance, goals, consultations and reports.
Annual Consultations
arrange for vocational testing
(Shared cost: CPM - 40%, Church - 40%, Inquirer - 20%)
identify a Spiritual Mentor
maintain contact with Care Team

9. Moving to Candidacy
The Inquirer applies through the Session to move to the Candidacy stage of preparation.
Inquirer completes the necessary forms.
Inquirer meets with the Session.
Session interviews Inquirer and makes a recommendation to the Committee on Preparation for Ministry regarding Candidacy.
Session recommendation is to be based on evidence from Inquiry phase.

10. Committee on Preparation for Ministry Interview Regarding Candidacy
The Inquirer (who is accompanied by the Session Liaison) meets with the Committee on Preparation for Ministry.
The Committee on Preparation for Ministry does the following in making a recommendation to the Presbytery concerning Candidacy:
receives the recommendation of the Session
examines the Inquirer
reviews the evidence from the Inquiry phase

11. Presbytery Examination
The Inquirer is examined by the Presbytery. The Presbytery decides whether or not to enroll him/her as a Candidate.

12. Review of Preparation Process with the Candidate
The Care Team meets with the Candidate and does the following:
reviews the preparation process
continues Annual Consultations
outlines what needs to be done prior to ordination

13. Written Ordination Examinations and Preaching
The Candidate arranges through the Committee on Preparation for Ministry to take the written Ordination Examinations and to preach a sermon at a local Church for the committee to review.
Bible Content
Church Polity
Theology and Sacraments
Open Bible Exegesis
Theological Competence
Sermon based upon written exegesis paper, and a written text presented to the committee in advance

14. Oral Examination by Committee
The Candidate is examined by the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, and is certified ready to receive a call.

15. Committee Approves Circulation of PIF
Once the Candidate has completed his/her formal education and passed the written ordination examinations, the Committee on Preparation for Ministry authorizes them to begin searching for a call to ministry in a particular Church/Ministry.

16. The Candidate Receives a Call
Once the Candidate receives a call to a particular Church/Ministry, he/she is examined by the full Presbytery.
The Presbytery reviews the call being received.
The Presbytery sets a date for the Ordination.