What are you looking for?Are you seeking to discern God's will regarding ministry as a vocation? The Christian Reformed Church maintains a wonderful web site to assist those searching for God’s will regarding the vocation of Christian ministry. This site is maintained by our denomination’s seminary, but is far broader than a “recruitment tool” for that seminary or for any particular seminary. Click here for a link to this tool, and spend some time exploring the site. Then spend some time talking about your search with trusted friends, and with God. Do you want to find out about the "seminary route" into CRC ministry? The basic academic degree required for ordination as Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church is the Master of Divinity. This degree is earned after earning a bachelor’s degree, usually at a four year liberal arts college. (Note: As you work through your bachelor’s degree, it is wise to consult with the Christian Reformed Candidacy Committee, and with the seminary of the CRC, Calvin Theological Seminary, to discover the preferred list of course requisites for entry into the CRC Master of Divinity program.) Choosing a Seminary:The Christian Reformed Church owns and operates a seminary near its denominational headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, called Calvin Theological Seminary. This is a fine and well respected institution, with a variety of degree programs. Calvin Theological Seminary has recently redesigned its entire curriculum for the Master of Divinity Program. Click here for a quick link to Calvin Seminary’s web site. The Christian Reformed Church recognizes that for various reasons, those preparing for ministry in the CRC may choose to attend another seminary. Those who select another seminary for their Master of Divinity program are required to take a special program to orient them to the Christian Reformed Church, called the Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidates (EPMC). The program is offered through Calvin Seminary and involves one semester of study. It is possible to integrate this semester into another seminary’s Master of Divinity program. Also, with special permission, it is possible to take the program through distance learning. Click here for a quick link to more information about the EPMC. For a more complete and thorough explanation of the “seminary route” to ordained ministry in the CRC, look at the relevant pages of the document, The Journey Toward Ordination in the CRC. Are you ordained in another denomination and wish to inquire about CRC ordination? The Christian Reformed Church offers those who are already ordained in another denomination the opportunity to become ordained in the CRC. This route is described in the CRC Church Order under Article 8, and is discussed in the document, The Journey Toward Ordination in the CRC. Those inquiring into use of this route to CRC ministry are encouraged to make personal contact with local and classis leaders in their region who will be able to guide them to the appropriate steps. Are you looking for resources as a classis committee member? The document titled, “The Journey to Ordination in the CRC”, provides the basic resources needed by CMLTs. Any classis committee or individual desiring information regarding the processes for ordination in the CRC will find this resource to be very helpful. Click here for a link to the index of The Journey to Ordination in the CRC. Other helpful documents for CMLT’s include: Creating an Alternative Learning Plan for Article 8 – a 15 page document to guide classis leaders in making a learning plan to orient pastors ordained in other denominations who seek to serve in the CRC. The sub-documents included in this document are: Review Quiz for Orientation to the CRC Church Order – a simple educational tool that may be used in the implementation of an alternative learning plan for Article 8, described above. Psychological Evaluation for Ministerial Applicants – a 4 page document to guide those who arrange for and perform the psychological assessment required of pastors ordained in other denominations who seek to serve in the CRC. Ministry Associate Handbook – an 18 page document with all the information available denominationally that describes the office of Ministry Associate. You can access the index to find your way to the particular area of your interest, or you can access the entire document. Learning Plans for Ministry Associates – a 4 page document, with opportunity for interaction and suggestions, to guide leaders of CRC classes in creating a plan to train those becoming ordained for the office of Ministry Associate. Click here for a quick link to the document. Resources for Examinations for Ordination – occasionally the denominational offices receive requests for help in preparing for an exam for ordination. This page is intended to respond to those requests, and to direct such persons toward resources that are available. Synod 2001 Study Report on Ordination – an extensive conversation regarding the nature and meaning of pastoral ordination in the CRC. 2010 Student Fund Report – a study done by the Candidacy Committee of the Student Fund practices in the classes of the CRC. Are you interested in the office of Ministry Associate? Various information about the office of Ministry Associate is now available in the Ministry Associate Handbook. You can access the index to find your way to the particular area of your interest, or you can access the entire document. Do you want a quick link to all of the documents available on this web site? The Candidacy Committee has a variety of tools and resources for classis leaders (Classical Ministerial Leadership Teams, or CMLTs), for local congregations, for inquiring pastors and potential pastors, and for anyone wanting assistance in the journey toward ordination in the CRC. The main tool is a 101 page document called The Journey Toward Ordination in the CRC. It offers an explanation of the various routes to ordained ministry, the various partners in the journey toward ordination, and the tools that are useful for each path in the journey. Click here to download the entire document, The Journey Toward Ordination in the CRC. Click here to find quick links to the various tools and forms available in The Journey Toward Ordination in the CRC. Creating an Alternative Learning Plan for Article 8 – a 15 page document to guide classis leaders in making a learning plan to orient pastors ordained in other denominations who seek to serve in the CRC. The sub-documents included in this document are: Review Quiz for Orientation to the CRC Church Order – a simple educational tool that may be used in the implementation of an alternative learning plan for Article 8, described above. Psychological Evaluation for Ministerial Applicants – a 4 page document to guide those who arrange for and perform the psychological assessment required of pastors ordained in other denominations who seek to serve in the CRC. Ministry Associate Handbook – an 18 page document with all the information available denominationally that describes the office of Ministry Associate. You can access the index to find your way to the particular area of your interest, or you can access the entire document. Learning Plans for Ministry Associates – a 4 page document, with opportunity for interaction and suggestions, to guide leaders of CRC classes in creating a plan to train those becoming ordained for the office of Ministry Associate. Click here for a quick link to the document. Resources for Examinations for Ordination – occasionally the denominational offices receive requests for help in preparing for an exam for ordination. This page is intended to respond to those requests, and to direct such persons toward resources that are available. Synod 2001 Study Report on Ordination – an extensive conversation regarding the nature and meaning of pastoral ordination in the CRC. 2010 Student Fund Report – a study done by the Candidacy Committee of the Student Fund practices in the classes of the CRC. |
