Committee on Preparation for Ministry

Following is the Presbytery of St. Andrew's Policy for Commissioned Lay Pastors as adopted by the Presbytery on February 8, 2011. At the bottom of the page are downloadable files you will need if you desire to enter this program.

3.09.00 COMMISSIONED LAY PASTOR (CLP) PROGRAM

3.09.10     Persons seeking approval as Commissioned Lay Pastors (CLP) shall have been ordained as elders in congregations of the Presbyterian Church (USA) for at least one (1) year prior to entering the preparation process. Such persons shall present a Letter of Endorsement from the Session of their church to the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM). The letter will address the applying elder’s faith in Jesus Christ, the maturity of their faith, their judgment, and their commitment to the Church and its mission. In addition, they will complete the Commissioned Lay Pastor Application and give it to the CPM.

3.09.20     After receiving all necessary documents from CLP applicants, the CPM will schedule a personal interview with them. If the CPM grants approval to the applicant to become a CLP Candidate, it will assign a Liaison who will guide, nurture, and communicate with the candidate on a regular basis from the CPM. The CLP Candidate will proceed with the prescribed education and training program.

3.09.30     CLP Candidates will complete the following required courses: Introduction to the Old Testament, Introduction to the New Testament, Church History, Reformed Theology, Reformed Worship and Sacraments, Introduction to Preaching, Presbyterian Polity and Rules of Order, and Pastoral Care.

A.    CLP Candidates will complete required courses via “online” courses from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (http://udts.dbq.edu), and/or equivalent courses from approved and accredited education institutions. CPM may require that certain of these courses be completed through education opportunities offered by the CPM and/or the Presbytery of St. Andrew.

B.    A CLP Candidate may submit a transcript from an accredited educational institution of previously completed course work. The CPM will evaluate the transcript, and may prescribe additional study in necessary areas.

C.    Upon completion of all course requirements, the CLP Candidate will preach a sermon to the CPM, and will submit an exegesis of the passage/passages upon which it is based.

3.09.40     CLP Candidates will meet at least annually with the CPM for progress, consultation, and discernment. CLP Candidates will submit an annual written report to the CPM at least one (1) week prior to their meeting indicating their forms of service to the church during the past year, continuing education completed, and a statement of their desire to continue as CLP Candidates. CPM shall annually renew each Candidate’s continued participation in the program as a result of the annual review.

3.09.50     After CLP Candidates have completed all course requirements and have successfully preached a sermon for the CPM, they will be scheduled for a final review. If the CPM grants final approval to CLP Candidates, it will compose a final assessment report and forward it to the Committee on Ministry certifying them as being ready for a commissioned responsibility. Until actually being commissioned by the presbytery, CLP Candidates will continue in their relationship and responsibility to the CPM.

3.09.60     CLPs are only authorized to perform the functions of a CLP during terms of service as CLPs, and only those functions specifically authorized by the presbytery in the commission.