CLP Program

Indian Nations Presbytery
Serving 55 Congregations in Central and Southwest Oklahoma

(405) 524-0990 * (405) 524-1037 Fax * 1001 NW 25th St., Ste. 206, Oklahoma City, OK 73106

Preparation for Ministry

CLPs, Inquirers and Candidates under care of the Committee on Preparation on Ministry

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Commissioned Lay Pastor Program

A Commissioned Lay Pastor (CLP) is an elder who is trained and commissioned by the presbytery to provide pastoral services in a particular church or churches. Persons wanting to become CLPs will come under the care of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM). Once the candidate becomes commissioned, they come under the care of the Committee on Ministry (COM).

The application, pastor's statment and session endorsement are word documents to be downloaded; however, the original must be mailed or dropped by the presbytery office. For any questions regarding the CLP process, email info@okinp.org.

Overview of CLP Process

Recognition of Candidacy
Following the application, psychological evaluation and interview by CPM and the designing of a program of training, the applicant shall be presented to the presbytery as a candidate for commissioned lay pastor and upon vote of the presbytery shall be enrolled as a candidate for commissioned lay pastor.
CPM shall appoint a pastor-mentor who shall function as a consultant and guide for the candidate during his/her period of training.

The Training Program
During the period of training the candidate shall be expected to take course work or other training in each of the areas specified by the Book of Order, with the exception of those areas in which it has been determined that the candidate is already qualified.

Options for Training
1. The training program ordinarily will utilize the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary online courses in conjunction with a mentor and local peer group as assigned by CPM. Online application and registration may be accessed through: http://udts.dbq.edu.
2. Other training programs may be approved at the discretion of CPM and/or the presbytery, on a case by case basis.

Mentorship and Review
1. During the course of study, the candidate will have regular recourse to the mentor appointed by CPM to answer questions and discuss the material being studied. At face-to-face meetings (at least quarterly), the mentor and candidate shall have conversation regarding coursework, areas of theological challenge and growth, and spiritual development.

The first meeting with the mentor shall take place with a representative of CPM during which time the full program of study and practical learning shall be explained and an understanding reached with respect to the roles of the learner, the mentor, and the committee, and a regular schedule of meetings between mentor and learner agreed upon.

2. Coursework evaluations and/or grades will be submitted to CPM and forwarded to the mentor.

3. Annually CPM shall convene a mandatory retreat (one to three days) to include the candidates and their mentors, with invitation extended to currently commissioned lay pastors, and a person or persons from the presbytery or from the outside with particular expertise in one or more of the areas of study for the purposes of:
a. Sharing progress in the studies and development of the candidates.
b. Covering areas of importance not specifically covered in the academic courses.
c. Allowing for practice in specific areas of ministry (such as sermon delivery).
d. To build collegiality and mutual support in ministry.

4. During the period of training, the candidate will observe as the mentor leads worship, preaches, teaches, provides pastoral care, and carries out a number of other pastoral duties. Under the guidance of the mentor, the candidate will be supervised in these and other appropriate areas of ministry, in order to acquire experience and to develop confidence in functioning in those roles.

5. Toward the end of the training program, the candidate, under the guidance of the mentor, shall prepare a personal statement of faith to share with CPM and the presbytery. This shall be discussed with CPM in the final interview with the candidate.

6. The committee on preparation for ministry anticipates a completion time of two to six years for the program, depending upon the pace at which the various learners work.

Completion and Commissioning
When the candidate has completed the training program, the committee on preparation for ministry will conduct written and oral assessment of the candidate’s readiness for commissioning. When the committee is satisfied that the candidate possesses all qualifications and skills necessary, CPM will present the candidate for certification by the presbytery. The presbytery may conduct a further examination and certify the candidate as ready to receive a commission. When a candidate has been certified as ready to receive a commission, the committee on ministry will work with the candidate to identify a ministry to which the candidate may be commissioned.

BOOK OF ORDER REQUIREMENTS (G-1 4.0801)
A. The commissioned lay pastor is an elder of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), who is granted a commission by the presbytery to:
• Lead worship;
• Watch over the people; and
• Provide for their nurture and service.

This commission is valid only in one or more congregations designated by the presbytery.

Such an elder is selected by and receives training approved by the presbytery. The elder is instructed in:
• Bible (Old and New Testaments)
• Reformed theology and sacraments
• Presbyterian polity
• Preaching
• Leading worship
• Pastoral care
• Teaching
The elder shall be examined by the appropriate committee of presbytery as to:
• Personal faith
• Motives for seeking the commission
• The areas mentioned above

An elder who has been commissioned and later ceases to serve in a particular congregation may continue to be listed as available to serve, but is not authorized to perform the functions of a commissioned lay pastor until appointed again to a particular congregation by the presbytery.

B. The commission shall be valid for a period up to three years as determined by the presbytery. It may be removed at expiration or terminated at any time at the discretion of the presbytery.

Presbytery shall regularly provide resources for the person's spiritual and intellectual development.

A review of the commissioned lay pastor shall be conducted annually. Presbytery shall revoke the commission of any lay pastor who does not abide by these provisions or whose work is evaluated as not adequate to meet the needs of the particular congregation or the presbytery.

C. When a presbytery, in consultation with the session or other responsible committee, determines that its strategy for mission in a local church requires it, and after additional instruction deemed necessary by the presbytery has been provided, a presbytery may authorize a commissioned lay pastor to perform any or all of the following functions described in 1-6 below:
1. Administer the Lord's Supper.
2. Administer the Sacrament of Baptism.
3. Moderate the session of the congregation under the supervision of and when invited by the moderator of the session appointed by the presbytery.
4. Have a voice in meetings of presbytery.
5. Have a vote in meetings of the presbytery (such vote to be counted as an elder commissioner.
6. Perform a service of Christian marriage when invited by the session or other responsible committee, and when allowed by the state.

D. The commissioned lay pastor shall work under the supervision of the presbytery through the moderator of the session of the church being served or through the committee on ministry. A minister of the Word and Sacrament shall be assigned as a mentor and supervisor.

E. When the presbytery is satisfied with the qualifications of an applicant it shall ask the applicant the following questions:
1. Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
2. Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God's Word to you?
3. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our Church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God?
4. Will you fulfill your commission in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions?
5. Will you be governed by our Church's polity, and will you abide by its discipline? Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God's Word and Spirit?
6. Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world?
7. Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the Church?
8. Will you seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?
9. Will you be a faithful commissioned lay pastor, watching over the people, providing for their worship? In your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?

F. The applicant having answered these questions in the affirmative, the moderator shall pray and say to the applicant: [Name] you are now a lay pastor commissioned to lead worship and preach for the time and place set by this presbytery. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.