COMMISSION ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY (CPM)
WHAT IS THE CPM?
The Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) guides the official preparation process for people seeking to become Ministers of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) or commissioned as Ruling Elders to pastoral ministry (CREs). Our CPM seeks to be companions in this journey of intentional discernment while supervising those who are to be ordained through two preparation phases:
We strive to serve as a helpful guide for current and future inquirers and candidates as well as their sessions, congregations, and others who support them.
WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR CRES?
MEETINGS/CONTACTS
CPM meetings are held virtually. Official correspondence with the CPM, including submission of forms and paperwork, should be directed to the CPM secretary.
Direct questions, updates, concerns and other CPM needs to the CPM Chair, or an inquirer/candidate’s individual liaison.
Current CPM Chair:
Rev. Molly Fisherkeller - Pastor, Trinity PC
Email Molly
THEOLOGICAL ROOTS
Preparing for ministry of Word and Sacrament is a process of discernment. Sometimes individuals seek the confirmation of the community that they have heard God’s call clearly. Other times the community calls forward those who have the gifts it needs. Either way, discernment involves utilizing both spiritual disciplines and gifts to find consensus regarding whom God is calling to use their gifts in specific ministries centered in the Word and Sacraments on behalf of God’s people. The process succeeds whenever individuals are placed where their gifts meet with the call of the community and most fundamentally with God’s call to serve the needs of others even if that place of ministry does not entail the functions of ministry of Word and Sacrament as understood within the Presbyterian Church.
