D. The Candidacy Committee

The Candidacy Committee, on behalf of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) Synod, is the final partner in the process of candidacy preparation. Because the denomination has such a vital interest in the formation of ministers of the Word, Synod in 2004 established the SMCC ( now called the “Candidacy Committee”) to retain, direct, and enhance the denomination’s role in the process of equipping and forming its future leaders. Through this committee the denomination is able to oversee the nurture and training of those preparing for ordained ministry through Church Order Articles 6, 7, and 8. Synod 2006 also mandated the committee with the task of encouraging and equipping classes relative to ordination through Church Order Article 23.

The Candidacy Committee serves in the following capacities:

Advisory: The Candidacy Committee functions in an advisory capacity to classes as they develop a Classis Ministerial Leadership Team (CMLT)

Consultation: The Candidacy Committee serves as a consultation and advisory resource to classical CMLTs once established.

Financial Support: the Candidacy Committee, in consultation with CMLT’s, works to ensure equity in student financial assistance among the classes of the denomination.

Oversight of the Article 6 candidacy process and the Article 7 and 8 ordination process in the CRC.

Oversight of the denominational licensure process.

Recommend Persons for Candidacy to the Synod of the CRC.

The committee’s official mandate, developed and adopted by the denominational Board of Trustees, approved by Synod, and updated most recently by Synod 2008, is as follows:

Candidacy Committee Mandate

The Candidacy Committee shall:

  • Foster the development of pastoral leadership in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), helping and encouraging the classes and councils to identify potential new leaders whom they can assist on their various journeys to pastoral office.
  • Establish with the approval of synod standards that will result in consistency, fairness, and justice in applying the denomination’s requirements for each person who desires to become a Minister of the Word in the CRC, whether applying under Article 6, 7, or 8 of the Church Order, or who desires to be a Ministry Associate applying under Article 23.
  • Maintain, clarify, and periodically review these standards.
  • Assist the classes in the development of Classis Ministerial Leadership Teams (CMLT) by providing them with information, counsel, and resources as they encourage individuals to seek the ministry as a vocation and as they support and make decisions regarding those who are preparing for or are applying to become a Minister of the Word in the CRC.
  • Implement and maintain regular contact with the classes to determine who from their churches are preparing for ministry and assist them in developing a Ministry Readiness Profile.
  • Recommend candidates to the synod of the CRC upon the individual’s completion of the Ministry Readiness Profile.
  • Grant denominational licensure to exhort to students studying for the ordained ministry in the CRC.
  • Provide support and accountability throughout the preparatory process for women whose council or classis does not support women in ordained ministry.
  • Provide resources to equip classes for the examinations required in the ordination process so that there is consistency throughout the denomination.
  • Provide an annual report to synod and regular reports to the Board of Trustees for information.

The membership of Candidacy Committee is listed in the Yearbook of the Christian Reformed Church under synodical committees. (Page 729 of the 2011 edition). The current committee members are also introduced on the Candidacy Committee web site. As with all denominational committees in the Christian Reformed Church, members serve three year terms, and are eligible for two terms.

The Journey to Ordination: Article 23 (Summary)

RECOGNITION OF A MINISTRY NEED FOR ORDAINED LEADERSHIP

DEVELOPMENT OF A JOB DESCRIPTION

APPROVAL OF A JOB DESCRIPTION

PREPARATION FOR ORDINATION

EXAMINATION BY CLASSIS

Profile for the Process: Article 23

____ Discernment of the appropriateness of seeking a Ministry Associate (Note: See tool kit p. 99 for directions to the Synod 2001 Study on Ordination, which discusses the principles behind the office of Ministry Associate)

____ Preparation of a Job Description to be submitted to Classis and the Synodical Deputies (Note: It is wise to consult with leaders of a local CMLT in developing a job description)

____ Approval of the Job Description by Classis, with the concurrence of representatives from three neighboring classes (i.e. 3 synodical deputies). (Note: See tool kit p. 88 for the guideline adopted by Synod 2001 relative to Ministry Associate)

____ Preparation for Ordination (see tool kit p. 89 for the material from Church Order Supplement 23-a, intended to guide classes in preparing candidates for this office. Also consult the Candidacy Committee web site for recommendations for study plans for Ministry Associates.)

____ Demonstrated ability of the candidate to function in the ministry to which he or she is called.

____ Presentation of Documents (see tool kit p. 91 for a sample application form)

____ Council recommendation from the church in which appointee holds membership

____ Diplomas and transcripts giving evidence of formal general education and any specialized training in ministry

____ Copy of the letter of appointment from the church/ministry that is requesting ordination of the candidate as ministry associate

____ A copy of the candidate’s letter of acceptance

____ Other documents desired by a local classis: _________________________________________

____ Any other preparation steps desired by a local classis: __________________________________

____ Where applicable (if preaching is in the job description), public presentation of a sermon on a text assigned by the classis, in the presence of two representatives of the classis, who will serve as sermon critics.

____ Examination before Classis (see tool kit p. 93 for material from the Church Order Supplement 23-c that offers guidelines for the examination.)

Note: You can also consult the “Ministry Associate Handbook” for a compilation of these and other documents that discuss the policies and practices of the office of Ministry Associate in the CRC. This handbook is available on the Candidacy Committee web site, and also by contacting Rev. David Koll.