Steps to Becoming an Inquirer: Seeker Phase

Contact:  Lisa Watson, lisa.a.watson@healthpartners.com, 651-254-2076

 

A person who believes he or she may have a call to ministry as a Teaching Elder must first contact the Seeker Advisor of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (as noted above).  Each individual will work with Lisa Watson and the Seeker Committee to move through the assessment and application process.  This process is outlined in the following table with further details noted following the table:

Steps/Responsible party	Seeker	CPM	Session	Presbytery
Contact the CPM Seeker Advisor	X
Contact home pastor for initial discussion		seeker advisor
Meet with home pastor	X
Attend Seeker seminar	X
Schedule/complete psychological assessment	X
Request background check with PTCA		seeker advisor
Complete background check materials in a timely manner and send in	X
Meets with financial planner	X
Meet with home church session to review process, roles and responsibilities		moderator	X
Notify individual, home pastor and CPM Moderator when all pre-assessment tools are completed and on file in the PTCA office.		seeker advisor
Complete forms/request documents: 1A, 1B, 1C Reference Request form 2A – page 1 additional documents as noted in the forms Send all to PTCA office	X
Meet with Session for endorsement	X		X
If Session endorses applicant: Applicant signs 2B Session Clerk completes form 1D Session Moderator signs 2B Send all to PTCA office	X		X
Schedule applicant to meet w/CPM		seeker advisor CPM moderator
Meet with CPM	X	full committee	session liason pastor
If CPM affirms applicant: CPM Moderator signs 2B		moderator
Reports CPM action at next Presbytery meeting		moderator
Completes final paperwork/sends to PC(USA)				stated clerk

CPM Seeker Advisor will contact the individual’s home pastor

• Confirms the individual has been active in the life and work of the congregation for at least six months

• Inquires of their insights of the individuals gifts and skills for ministry as a Teaching Elder

• Inquires of any reasons why the pastor would not support the individual’s application to come under care of the session.

• encourages the pastor to begin (or continue) discussions with the individual

• informs the pastor of the following:

• the CPM will move forward with obtaining the pre-application assessment tools for consideration of this individual’s request

• CPM representatives need to meet with the Session prior to the individual meeting with the Session

• the individual needs to complete the pre-assessment tools prior to meeting with the Session

 

Individual and Pastor meet

• discuss the individual’s sense of call, professional ministry, ministry experiences and gifts

 

CPM representatives and Session meet

• discuss the process and assist the session to define its responsibilities.

 

Individual completes the required pre-application Seeker Seminar and assessments

• Individual attends the required Seeker Seminar*

• Complete the PTCA’s background check*
• Complete a psychological assessment* through North Central Ministry Development Center (NCMDC) or other center with prior approval of CPM.
• Meet with a financial planner* to discuss financing education and living expenses
• CPM Seeker Advisor will notify individual and pastor when all pre-application assessments are completed and on file in the PTCA office

 

Individual completes application forms and additional documents – sends to PTCA

• Forms 1A, 1B, 1C
• Reference Request Form
• Form 2A – page 1 only
• obtains additional documents as noted in the forms

 

Individual meets with home church Session to come under their care

• If endorsed, individual and session will enter into a covenant relationship of support throughout the individual’s discernment and preparation process
• The individual, pastor and the clerk of Session must complete appropriate sections of enrollment forms: 1D, and 2B (see forms section) and send to CPM.

 

CPM Seeker Advisor requests time on the CPM Calendar

• for applicant interview with CPM
• All forms and documentation must be received before time on the docket will be requested.
• CPM Advisor will be assigned and will contact applicant for initial meeting

CPM meeting

• Applicant, their pastor and session liaison meet with CPM for conversation about the seeker’s vision for ministry, process of discernment, etc.
• CPM votes to affirm applicant be enrolled as an Inquirer:

•   If affirmative:

■    CPM Moderator signs Form 2B;

■    CPM will report action at next Presbytery meeting

■    CPM Advisor and applicant will set up time to discuss goals for the coming year (Form 2C)

• If not affirmative:

■  will discuss concerns and additional steps the applicant might take to prepare for inquiry or other options for ministry.

 

Report at Presbytery meeting

• Applicant is encouraged to attend the Presbytery meeting for introductions
• Applicant will not speak or answer questions.
• Attendance is not mandatory.

 

 

*Seeker Seminar

The CPM has developed a day-long seminar to introduce the seeker to the process of discernment, the role of CPM, sessions, seminaries, to discuss the application to inquirer and the developmental competencies required for movement through the process.

 

*Background Check

The PTCA requires that all inquirers, candidates and ministers seeking membership in this presbytery will undergo a third party background check.  The individual will receive a letter from Oxford that will contain the instructions and forms necessary for them to complete this background check.

 

*Psychological Assessment through NCMDC

Typically the seeker’s home church will pay for 60% of the incurred fee and that the Presbytery will pay 40%.  In case the church is unable to do so, the seeker is liable for the fee, but if necessary, financial assistance from the Presbytery may be available. Following the completion of the assessment, the seeker must give approval for assessment center to send a (confidential) written report of the consultation to the Presbytery for review by the CPM.

 

*Financial Planning Session

This is in order to review the individual’s current financial situation, to discuss ways to prepare financially for the likely decrease in income and the additional expenses of seminary.  A written plan will be developed and provided to the CPM that outlines the review of current finances, debt reduction needs, plan for education and living expenses.

Forms for Seekers:

Form 1A – Background Information for Session and Committee on Preparation for Ministry

Form 1B – Questions for Reflection

Form 1C – Financial Planning for Theological Education

Form 1D – Session Evaluation and Recommendation

Reference Request Form – individual identifies 3 people to complete reference forms

Form 2A- Application to be enrolled by Presbytery as an Inquirer

Form 2B – Covenant Agreement and Inquirer Release

Form 2C – Report of initial consultation

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