Committee on Preparation for Ministry

The Committee on Preparation for Ministry shall provide care, guidance, and oversight for all inquirers and candidates for the ordained ministry; and provide care, guidance, and oversight for all persons seeking certification as church educators or business administrators.

Moderator

Wicks, Steven

pastormopc@bellsouth.net

Committee Members

Annual Consultation

 Each year, the Committee on Preparation for Ministry holds an annual consultation for the evaluation and nurture of the inquires and candidates under the care of the Presbytery of New Hope.  The following information and guidelines concerning the annual consultation have been excerpted from the Committee on Preparation for Ministry Manual of Operations:

“The committee on preparation for ministry shall provide for an annual consultation with each person on the rolls of inquirers and candidates. The purpose of the consultation shall be for the evaluation and nurture of inquirers and candidates. Such consultation may be held by the entire committee or may be carried out by persons appointed by the committee...Each consultation shall include a decision, made by the whole committee, whether to continue or terminate the period of inquiry or candidacy. This decision shall be reported to the presbytery.” (Book of Order, G-14.0309)

If the inquirer/candidate has an EXCEPTIONAL reason for not attending a scheduled annual consultation, he or she must request an excused absence and, if approved, must re-schedule an annual consultation with CPM members before December 31 of that year. An inquirer/candidate cannot proceed in the preparation process until an annual consultation has been completed and the CPM has voted to continue the period of inquirery or candidacy. The annual consultation shall not be used to consider applicants to be considered for inquirery/candidacy or to be certified ready to receive a call.

The purpose of the annual consultation of New Hope Presbytery’s CPM shall be the annual consultation interview, education (in plenary sessions), interaction with other inquirers and candidates, and interaction with CPM members.

The annual consultation ordinarily is held on the first Saturday of June at a local church within New Hope Presbytery. Yearly schedules may require the CPM to set another date in May or June.

All persons (inquirers to those waiting to receive a call) enrolled are required to attend.

“Presbytery, together with the session and the inquirer or candidate, shall bear the necessary expenses of the annual consultation.” (Book of Order, G-14.0309a)

The schedule of the annual consultation shall include morning meetings and interviews with lunch following. Plenary sessions may include various topics such as pastoral etiquette, session liaison training, Board of Pensions and financial planning, and ordination exams and the call process.

At no time will an annual consultation take the place of an interview for inquirery, candidacy, or certification, or vice versa.

As a last option, a phone or e-mail consultation will be held with the inquirer or candidate. This exception must be approved by a majority vote of the CPM.

Sample Service of Reception for a Candidate for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament

Jesse Lee Thomas Education Fund

Loy Scholarship Fund