A

Glossary of unfamiliar terms

Perplexed by vocabulary used in the preparation process? See www.pcusa.org/ministers/<= /o:p>

com/handbook/glos= sary.htm

The following checklist has many steps. They do not all<= /p>

have to be done in precisely the order they are written.

Application for Inquiry

____ You must be an ac= tive member of a PC(USA) church for at least 6

months before you can be enrolled as an inquirer (G-14.0403).

____ Speak to the past= or of your church about your desire to explore

becoming a minister of Word and Sacrament.

____ Contact the presb= ytery office and ask to begin the inquiry process.

____ Read about the pr= ocess of preparation.

&= nbsp; - The Book of Order, G-14.0401 - G.14.0474.

____ &n= bsp; Have official transcripts sent to you for all academic work after high-school. <= o:p>

&= nbsp; &nbs= p;

____ Download the forms relevant to the application for inquiry.

- See Download Forms to the right.&nb= sp; Click "Application for Inquiry." =

- Read throu= gh the forms carefully, noting especially the responsibilities of <= /span>

the various parties: session, the inquirer, and CPM (pages 12-13, 16-17).<= /o:p>

____ CPM sends one of = its members to the session of your church to explain

the process of preparation (G-14.0410).

____ Complete the foll= owing (you can do it in Microsoft Word).

- Pages 2-5, and 14.&nb= sp; Put your name on the top line of page 18.

- Each answer to the Questions for Reflection (page 5) can be about a half-

page in length. =

- The financial information on pages 6-9 is optional.

____ &n= bsp; Ask your clerk of session to arrange for you to meet with the session to gain i= ts endorsement of your application for inquiry.

- Submit to the clerk of session pages 2-18, your answer= s to the Questions

for Reflection, and your transcrip= ts.

____ Meet with the ses= sion of your church.

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - Session uses page 10 to guide its discussion with you.

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - Session uses page 11 to record its decision whether to endorse your

application to become an inquirer, and to record your Session Liaison's

contact information.&nb= sp; Clerk or moderator should sign page 11.

- Page 18 requires the signature of the Moderator of ses= sion and a witness .

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - Clerk of session keeps a copy of your application.

Download Forms

At the presbytery's website (page 1 or this Guide) click "CPM-Committee on Preparati= on for Ministry." You can find there most of the forms you will need.

Deadline for Documents

To be eligible fo= r meeting CPM on the 4th Tuesday of a given month (CPM does not meet in July and December) make sure that the presbytery office has your documents by noon on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Please be aware, however, that sometimes CPM's docket is too full to accomodate everyone who wishes to be interviewed at a particular meeting.

&= nbsp;

____ &n= bsp; Enter your session liaison's contact information here:

= Name _______________________= ________________

= Email _______________________= ________________

= Mail ___________= ____________________________

= _________________________= ______________

Phone _______________________________________

____ &n= bsp; Deliver your application to the presbytery office.

- Email your application as an attachment to franklinr@pbyjames.org.

- CPM needs to have a hardcopy version of the pages with signatures:

pages 5, 11, 14, and 18 (plus 9, i= f you filled out pages 6-9).

- Official transcripts also need to be delivered in hardcopy.

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - See Deadline for Documents on = page 2 of this Guide.

____ &n= bsp; Verify when you will be meeting CPM (write to franklinr@pbyjames.org).<= /span>

- Your interview is likely to begin between 2 and 4:30 PM. =

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - Invite your pastor and/or session liaison to be present. The presence of =

your past= or or liaison is not required, but it can encourage you.

____ &n= bsp; To prepare for the CPM interview, read carefully Form 2A pages

12-13, 16-17, the responsibiliti= es of the various parties in the process of

prepataion, and Form 2B page 18, t= he covenant agreement, Bring to t= he

interview a copy of your application, in case you need to refer to it.

CPM Interview

Your interview with the committee will be in three phase= s: meeting the

committee; waiting outside the room while the committee deliberates;

meeting the committee again to be informed of its decision. Your photo will be taken at your f= irst meeting with the CPM.

____ &n= bsp; If CPM enrolls you as an inquirer, the following things happen:

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - CPM will communicate to you its decision about your application, and what <= o:p>

it expect= s you to do from this point forward; CPM appoints a CPM liaison

for you. =

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - You and the CPM Moderator sign the covenant on page 18. <= /p>

&= nbsp; - You will receive a follow-up letter about a week after the CPM meeting,

&= nbsp; stating CPM's decision about your application and any particular

&= nbsp; instructions that CPM has given yo= u. You will also receive in hardcopy

&= nbsp; pages 15 and 18.

&= nbsp; - Your original application will be kept in your CPM file at the presbytery <= o:p>

&= nbsp; office.

Reimbursement

Each time you meet with CPM, you can ask for reimburseme= nt for your travel expenses. Sub= mit your mileage and expenses (with receipts) using the presbytery's Expense Report.

Focus of the Inquiry Interview

In this interview the question in CPM's mind is, "D= oes the applicant show promise of being willing to work cooperatively with CPM = in exploring whether God is calling the applicant to the ministry of Word and Sacrament?"

Possible Suppleme= ntal Requirements

Clinical Pastoral Education (basic unit; stro= ngly recommended; required of most Inquirers and Candidates, and usually only wa= ived for extensive life experience)

Additional academ= ic course work, Tutoring, Supervised Independent Study for remediation or added competence, in subjects such as Polity and Reformed Theology.

Working with a counselor, therapist, or spiritual director.

Participation in a group for support, spiritual growth or recovery.

Pulpit supply for experience in preaching and leading worship. <= /o:p>

____ &n= bsp; Enter your CPM liaison's contact information here:

= Name _______________________= ____________________

= Email _______________________= ____________________

= Mail ___________= ________________________________

= _________________________= __________________

Phone ___________________________________________

____ &n= bsp; Enter the date of your enrollment as an inquirer: ______________

= &nb= sp; - Your minimum two-year period of covenant relation with the presbytery =

begins now. See G-14.0403 for the time requirements. See G-14.0473 f= or

an exemption from the time require= ments.

The Inquiry Phase

"The purpose of the inquiry phase is to provide an opportunity for the

church and those who believe themselves called to minist= ry of the Word

and Sacrament to explore that call together in such a way that the

decision regarding the inquirer's suitability for minist= ry of the Word and

Sacrament will be based on knowledge and experience of o= ne another"

(G-14.0404).

____ &n= bsp; In the first six months of your inquiry phase, complete the required

psychological testing. If you are unable to= do this at the site named

below, discuss other options with your CPM liaison.

= &nb= sp; Career and Personal Counseling Service = Phone 704-523-7751=

= &nb= sp; 4108 Park Road, Suite 200 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Fax &= nbsp; 704-523-7752

= &nb= sp; Charlotte NC 2802= 9

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Email cpcs@careerservic= e.org

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Website www.CareerService.org

____ &n= bsp; Meet your CPM liaison to discuss the results of the psychological

evaluation.

____ Get in touch with= your home church and your session liaison. Send a letter that can be published in your church's newsletter to k= eep everyone informed.

____ &n= bsp; Enroll in "a theological institution accredited by the Association of

= Theological Schools acceptable to the presbytery" (G-14.0450c).

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - CPM recommends that you enroll in a PC(USA) seminary, because the

goal of t= he preparation process is ministry of the Word and Sacrament in

the PC(USA).

- You may enroll in a non-PC(USA) seminary. If you do so, howev= er, CPM

may require additional course work, tutoring, mentoring, field education, or

even doing a year of your theologi= cal education at a PC(USA) seminary, to

insure that you are prepared for ministry in the PC(USA).

Your CPM Liaison

The CPM liaison is your primary link to the Committee. You must keep in touch with your liaison. Inform them of any c= hange in your contact information. = Let them know what is happening. = Ask them any questions you have about the preparation process. They are a resource and an advocat= e for you on the Committee, but they can't function if you don't keep in touch wi= th them. A suggestion: copy your Session liaison when you email your CPM liaison, and vice versa, in order to maintain contact with both your church and CPM.

Financial Aid from the Presbytery

If you submit a financial aid application form to the presbytery office before June 1, you = may be eligible for financial aid for the next academic year.

To get the appropriate forms, see Download Forms on page 2 of this Guide.<= /o:p>

Psychological Evaluation

You are required to undergo psychological testing of car= eer and personal issues. CPM pref= ers that you use the services of the CPCS in Charlotte NC. CPM, your church Session, and you = will each pay one third of the $800 fee. In addition, CPM will pay up to $200 for mileage, food, and lodging = if you submit an Expense Report.

____ You are encourage= d to take the Bible Content Examination in your first year of seminary (G-14.0431).

&= nbsp; - See Bible Content Exam to the right.

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - To learn more about the exam, go to www.pcusa.org/exams/bible.htm

= &nb= sp; - To get an application form for this exam, see Download Forms on page 2 = &nb= sp; = of this Guide.

Annual Consultation

You are required to have a formal consultation with your= CPM liaison

every year (G-14.0421).= This is a face-to-face interview. In extra-

ordinary circumstances, your CPM liaison may be able to = get CPM's

permission to do the interview over the phone. The cost of the =

consultation is shared by CPM, the session, and you.

____ &n= bsp; You and your CPM liaison hold an Annual Consultation each year.

- At least one month prior to the anniversary date of your enrollment &= nbsp; &nbs= p; as an inquirer, download the = forms for the Annual Consultation (See

Download Forms on page 2 of this Guide; click "Annual Consultation.&= quot; &n= bsp; - Complete Form 3, pages 20-23, and email it as an attachment to your = CPM

liaison. (If this is your first an= nual consultation, you do not need to answer

questions pertaining to previous consultations).

- Make sure the POJ office has received from your school a current =

transcript and evaluatio= ns for your field education or internships.

- CPM liaison checks the references you listed on pages 20-21.<= /p>

- The CPM liaison reports the results of the annual consultation on Form 4= ,

page 24. Both you and the CPM liai= son sign page 25, top half; and you sign

on the bottom of that page. <= /o:p>

- CPM liaison submits annual consultation documents to CPM, and CPM

votes whether you should continue = in the process of preparation.

- CPM Moderator signs page 25; CPM copies page 24-25 and mails a copy =

to you, emailing a copy to your pa= stor and/or clerk of session, and your

theological institution. CPM repor= ts its action to the presbytery.

Application for Candidacy

After completing the psychological evaluation and the annual consultation for the current year, you may apply to be received as a candidate. The process of applying for candid= acy tests whether your sense of your call to the ministry is confirmed by the church. It is prudent to beco= me a candidate before your second year of seminary ends, so that the required one year of candidacy will end around the time you graduate. Remember also that you will have to appear before presbytery to be examined for candidacy. Presbytery meetings are on the 3rd Saturday of February, the 3rd Tuesday of June, and the 3rd Saturday of October. If presbytery receives you as a candidate at one of those meetings, your one year period of candidacy will be considered to have star= ted on the day you interviewed with CPM and gained the Committee's endorsement = of your application for candidacy.

Bible Content Exam

You may apply to take the Bible Content Exam without get= ting approval from CPM (unlike the other 4 ordination exams). The exam is offered only once a ye= ar (1st Friday in February), and the deadline for applying to take it is in ea= rly December. <= /p>

Ask Now About Exemptions

If you anticipate that you might want an exemption from = any requirement, as provided in G-14.0470 - G-14.0473, talk with your CPM liais= on about it in your first Annual Consultation. Do not wait! Three-fourths vote of the presbyte= ry is needed for any exemptions.

Internships

In the course of = your preparation you are required to complete two internships, at least one in a parish and one (usually) in a Clinical Pastoral Educa&sh= y;tion (CPE) program. CPM wants your practical experience of ministry to be varied. Your parish internship should be i= n a church that is different in character from your home church. CPM may require additional field education work outside of what the student has done under the supervision of the theological institution. Modifications in your field education pro= gram may be required by CPM, as necessary for the most complete preparation for minis-try of the Word and Sacrament. Consult your CPM liaison before decidi= ng not to take a unit of CPE.

____ Make sure the presbytery office has received the most recent official <= /p>

transcripts and evaluations of all field education and internships.

____ Download the forms relevant to the application for candidacy.

- See Download = Forms on page 2 of this Guide. Click "Application for

Candidacy."

&= nbsp; - Read carefully pages 30-33, the responsibilites of all parties. =

____ Complete the foll= owing:

- Form 5A, pages 27-28; enter your name on the to= p of Form 5B, page 32.

= &nb= sp; - See Candidacy Statement of Faith to the right. =

____ &n= bsp; Ask your clerk of session to arrange for you to meet with the session to gain i= ts endorsement of your application for cnadidacy.

- Submit to the clerk of session pages 27-34, your Essay= s, and copies of

transcrip= ts and evaluations.

____ Meet with the ses= sion of your church.

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - On page 28 session records its decision whether to endorse your =

application to become a candidate, and on page 29 your session liaison's

contact information.&nb= sp; Clerk or moderator should sign page 29.

- Page 32 requires the signature of the Moderator of ses= sion and a witness .

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - Clerk of session keeps a copy of your application.

____ &n= bsp; Enter your session liaison's contact information here:

= Name _______________________= ____________________

= Email _______________________= ____________________

= Mail ___________= ________________________________

= _________________________= __________________

Phone ___________________________________________

____ &n= bsp; Deliver your application to the presbytery office.

- Email your application as an attachment to franklinr@pbyjames.org

- Deliver in hardcopy form the pages with signatures: 27, 29, and 34.

- Official transcripts also need to be delivered in hardcopy.

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - See Deadline for Documents on = page 2 of this Guide.

____ &n= bsp; Verify when you will be meeting CPM.

- Email Franklin Reding at franklinr@pbyjames.org

- Your interview is likely to begin between 2 and 4:30 PM. =

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - As in your inquiry interview, your pastor and/or session liaison are free t= o

be presen= t.

Candidacy Stateme= nt of Faith

Form 5A, page 25, item 3 asks for a "statement of personal faith." This statement mu= st be about one page in length. = The statement must have no supplementary comments. The statement shou= ld express what you believe and what you intend to teach. The statement should show that you= have an understanding of the reformed confessional tradition.

____ &n= bsp; To prepare for the CPM interview, read carefully Form 5A pages

30-33, the responsibilities of the vario= us parties in the preparation

process, and Form 5B page 34, the covenant agreement. Bring to the =

interview a copy of your application, in case you need to refer to it.

____ &n= bsp; CPM Interview: see CPM Interview on page 3, and Focus of the

Candidacy Interview to the right.

____ &n= bsp; If CPM recommends that presbytery receive you as a candidate, the <= /span>

= following things happen:

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - CPM will communicate to you its decision about your application, and what <= o:p>

it expect= s you to do from this point forward.

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; - You and the CPM Moderator sign the covenant on page 34. <= /p>

&= nbsp; - You will receive a follow-up letter about a week after the CPM meeting,

&= nbsp; stating CPM's decision about your application and any particular

&= nbsp; instructions that CPM has given yo= u. You will also receive in hardcopy

&= nbsp; pages 29 and 34. The moderator of session will receive this by email.

____ &n= bsp; Enter the date of the CPM meeting in which the Committee agreed to

recommend that presbytery examine you and receive as a candidate: <= /p>

_______________.

= &nb= sp; - If later on the whole presbytery decides to receive you as a candidate,

= &nb= sp; your minimum one-year period of candidacy will have begun now.

____ &n= bsp; At least 4 weeks in advance of the presbytery meeting in which you will &= nbsp; be examined for candidacy, send to franklinr@pbyjames.org the names

= of two persons (such as your pastor or session liaison) to participate in

= &nbs