Ministry Preparation Committee

“It is important that those who are to be ordained as teaching elders receive full preparation for their task under the direction of the presbytery. For this purpose, a presbytery shall enter into covenant relationship with those preparing to become teaching elders and with their sessions and congregations.”

(Book of Order G-2.0601)

Introduction to Ministry Preparation for those seeking to become Ministers of Word and Sacrement with the PCUSA. This video is helpful for applicants and church sessions.

Find Forms here. “Seminarian’s Guide to Entering PC(USA) Ministry” on the denomination’s “Equip” website. This guide does not require an account on the website or login to access its content. 

The forms will be found in the section, “Preparation Process.” Other sections of the guide are devoted to the “Ordination Exams” and “Seeking a Call.”

COMMISSIONED PASTOR

In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a Commissioned Pastor (CP) or Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE) is an individual, typically an elder already, who is commissioned by the presbytery to provide pastoral services to a specific congregation or ministry setting, often under the supervision of a Minister of Word and Sacrament. The process involves a period of discernment, training, and examination by the Presbytery's Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM or MPC) and Committee on Ministry (COM or MRC).