COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY

Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM)

Desription (according to the Book of Order and Standing Rules)

G-9.0902a of the Book of Order requires each presbytery to have a Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) and its duties are delineated in G-14.0400. The CPM facilitates and oversees the covenant relationships established between the presbytery and those preparing to become ministers of Word and Sacrament, a relationship that exists for at least two years and is in two phases, the Inquirer and the Candidate phases. The process and requirements for these phases are provided in an advisory handbook from the General Assembly, which may be adapted by presbyteries in establishing their own mandatory procedures.


The CPM begins with instructing sessions on their role in this process when a member of the congregation comes under the care of the session. It continues with a Committee member becoming a liaison to the Inquirer/Candidate (each Committee member is expected to be a liaison to at least one Inquirer or Candidate) who assists them in the process toward ordination by inquiring into their progress per Form of Government 14.0300-14.0400, encouraging them in pursuing the process, answering their questions and reminding them of certain deadlines. Annual evaluations are based on progress reports from seminaries or institutes of theological education, written reports from Candidates and annual consultations with Candidates and the process concludes with a final assessment of a Candidate’s readiness to receive a Call and be examined for ordination by the presbytery.

Candidates must successfully complete standard examinations in Bible content, exegesis, theological competence, worship, the sacraments and church polity before being considered for a Call. In addition, the Presbytery of the Palisades’ CPM further requires a) Inquirers to undergo a psychological and career development assessment and b) Candidates to complete at least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) as part of their vocational development.

The Presbytery of the Palisades’ CPM has the authority to dismiss candidates to another presbytery, on request of the candidate and the other presbytery, with the provision that all such actions be reported at the next meeting of Presbytery.

Each year, at the June Stated Meeting of Presbytery, the CPM places in nomination, for election by the Presbytery, ministers and elders to serve as Readers of Ordination Examinations. In addition, each June this Committee appoints one of its members to the Bills and Overtures Committee.

MEMBERSHIP: The Presbytery of the Palisades’ CPM is to have six (6) ministers and six (6) elders, divided into three classes of two ministers and two elders each, one class of which shall be elected annually. Currently, there are four clergy and four elders serving on the CPM, with no clergy serving in the Class of 2010. In addition, two clergy and two elders will be needed for the Class of 2011. Persons are needed who are willing to shepherd others through the process toward ordination. The Committee co-Chairs (there are two co-Chairs) and veteran members can train new members in the specifics involved.

MEETINGS: The Presbytery of the Palisades’ CPM currently meets, as a Committee, the second Saturday of each month at the Presbytery office, from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M., but Committee members meet with their Inquirers and Candidates when it is mutually convenient or are in contact with each other through the phone or e-mail.

The Presbytery of the Palisade
http://www.palpres.org/staticpages/index.php/CPM_en

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