Presbytery of Tampa Bay

Feeling a Call to Ministry?

The Commission on Preparation for Ministry Welcomes You to a Time of Discernment with the Presbytery of Tampa Bay
This page is meant to help you navigate the major steps to ordination. Women and men who feel called to reformed Christian ministry within the Presbyterian Church (USA) will find the key milestones here. Please note that this contains introductory material only — all current rules, paperwork, and deadlines are stipulated in the current editions of the CPM Handbook, the Advisory Handbook PCUSA, and the curriculum of your chosen seminary.

Typical Steps

Governing Documents
The Presbyterian Church (USA) publishes its organizing principles and rules for operating “in good order” in the current edition of the Constitution: The Confessions, Part I and The Book of Order, Part II (2019-2021). See especially G-2.06 Preparation for Ministry, on pages 34-36.

The Presbytery of Tampa Bay follows procedures detailed in the current Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) Handbook (approved November 2019).

Forms

It is the Inquirer’s and Candidate’s responsibility to keep their personal file up to date with the Presbytery of Tampa Bay. Most of the milestone events in the years of discernment are marked by the completion and filing of required forms. The CPM Chair maintains the official files for all persons under care.

FORM 1A – Application to be enrolled by Presbytery as an Inquirer+
FORM 1B – Questions for Reflection+
FORM 1C – Financial Planning for Theological Education+
FORM1D – Session Evaluation and Recommendation++
FORM2A – Report of consultation regarding application+++
FORM 2B – Covenant Agreement and Inquirer Release+++
FORM 3 – Pre-consultation report on development areas+
FORM 4 – Report on Consultation+++
FORM 5A – Application to be Enrolled by Presbytery as a Candidate+
FORM5B – Session Recommendation for Enrollment as Candidate++
FORM 5C – Report of Consultation to become a Candidate+++
FORM5D – Covenant Agreement and Candidate Release+++
FORM 6 – Summary Report of Final Assessment

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