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.
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
+=inquirer; ++=home session; +++=CPM

– The CPM Chair maintains the official files for all persons under care

The Commission on Preparation for Ministry
is charged by the larger church to make an informed decision about the inquirer’s suitability for ordered ministry.
G-2.0603

Clearly, we share a central role in assuring congregations that persons who are certified ready for ordination are sincerely motivated to serve Jesus Christ, and have demonstrated wisdom and maturity of faith, leadership skills,
compassionate spirit, honest repute, and sound judgment.
G-2.0607

We Care

about your spiritual development
about your health and about your emotional and physical well being
about your financial independence and freedom from debts that often attend higher education*
about your approach to challenging ministries and challenging persons who may seek your pastoral help
about your skills and sensibilities in clinical settings, hospitals, and hospices
about your innovations in creating new ways to witness to Jesus Christ in the 21st Century
about your awareness of mutual support from fellow ruling elders, from sessions, from counselors and mission leaders

* the Presbytery maintains an Indebtedness policy and seeks to connect persons under care to sources of financial aid. See the current edition of the Indebtedness Policy.

Being “Under the Care” of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay
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.
G-2.0601 Nature and Purpose of Preparation

From the CPM Handbook:
We understand that your journey toward ordination can only be initiated, sustained, and brought to fullness by the grace of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

It is the mission of the Commission on Preparation for Ministry (“CPM”) to be a well-informed resource for potential candidates for ministry, and to encourage men and women as they navigate the particular requirements of the Book of Order; but always in the context of our shared journey as followers of the way of Jesus.

Each “Inquirer” (first year) and each “Candidate” under our care (usually in years 2 and 3) will be assigned a commission member, your “liaison”, to assist you as an advocate to the commission, and as a personal support contact. This person will be in touch with your sponsoring session and with the CPM chair. While we expect you to keep your liaison informed about your progress and your concerns, we also will reach out to you, usually
monthly.

Advanced Professional Study

of Your Faith
of the Bible
of the Reformed Christian Church
of Theology
of Congregational Life
of Sacraments
of Pastoral Care
of Issues in Church and Society

In most cases, persons seeking ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA) will attend one of the following accredited seminaries:

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Feeling a Call to Ministry?

The Commission on Preparation for Ministry