Vocation

But if the Bible says anything clearly, it says this: God calls us: calls us to do whatever God has in mind; calls us to set a great many other things aside and follow God's bidding.

— James O. Chatham from Is It I, Lord? Discerning God's Call to be a Pastor (Westminster John Knox Press, 2002)

Discerning Your Call and Your Gifts For Ministry of Word and Sacrament

This is a rewrite of "Discerning Your Call and Your Gifts for Ministry." This pamphlet is used to explore one's gifts & talents to further explore and possibly pursue the ministry profession.

Download a copy.

Gifted by the Flame - Professional Church Vocations

This is an updated version of "Call to Presbyterian Professional Church Mission" — Allows one to choose different paths in the ministry profession, as well as to explore different areas of vocational interest.

Download "Call to Presbyterian Professional Church Mission."

This is a great video for anyone considering seminary or in seminary to consider as they plan financially.

Go to Lee Hinson-Hasty's blog to see the video.

"Hope for the church” – The Rev. Carmen Rosario

Among the many notable alumni affiliations claimed and cherished by the Rev. Carmen Rosario, it is the honor of being a “graduate” of the PC(USA)’s Annual Racial Ethnic Seminarians Conference that she perhaps values most. Read more about her experience.

New handbook available

Preparation for Ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Advisory Handbook

Provides moderators, presbytery staff, and applicants with an overview of the process and resources, its intentions and goals. Provides moderators, presbytery staff, and applicants with an overview of the process and resources, its intentions and goals. The handbook will be available soon through the Presbyterian Distribution Service. For now you can download a copy in PDF format:

Download the previous version of the Preparation for Ministry Handbook:

Download the previous version of the Preparation for Ministry Manual:

Workshop notes for COM/CPM/Seminary Conference now available

Workshop notes from the 2007 Conference are now available.

See list of workshop notes.

Ordination

Within the ministry of the whole people of God, persons may be called to perform specific functions that are important to the life of particular communities of faith. 

Read more of this article by Joseph D. Small.

Constitution Changed

As of June 22, 2007, the Book of Order has been revised by the amendment process. The 2007-2009 Book of Order is now available online.

The changes include significant revisions to Chapter XIV.

Compare the 2005-2007 Book and the new current Book.

Mini-Study on Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

A questionnaire was sent to all moderators of Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) electronically on February 16, 2007. Learn more about the study.

Committee on Preparation Trainers Network

The purpose of the Trainers Network is to provide training for Committees on Preparation for Ministry, using the gifts, skills and knowledge of experienced Presbyterians who have served or are serving fruitfully on Committee for Preparation for Ministry.

Download a brochure about the Trainers Network

Essential Tool Kit for CPMs

Following is a list of resources that are most helpful for Committees on Preparation for Ministry.

• Preparation for Ministry Forms
• Preparation for Ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Advisory Handbook —
• Handbook for Committee on Preparation for Ministry Moderators
• Exploring Vocation and Call
• Glossary of commonly used terms
• Journeying Together Chart —

Consider Your Calling

What Do You Want to Do with Your Life?

Consider your own call, sisters and brothers. (1 Corinthians 1:26)

Do you feel God is calling you into Christian vocation? This list of resources will help you discern what God has planned for you. See the new brochure collection that can help you through the process.

The Presbyterian Pastoral Leadership Search Effort

The Presbyterian Pastoral Leadership Search Effort (PLSE, pronounced ‘pulse’) helps 15-25 year-olds connect with leadership opportunities within the denomination as they discern God's call in their lives.

Journeying Together:
A Visual Flowchart

Want the CPM process drawn out for you? Print this colorful Journeying Together chart. —

People Preparing for Ministry: A Statistical Overview

Examine this "snapshot"—in the form of a statistical chart broken up by race, gender and ethnicity—of persons preparing for Ministry in the United States. —

Models, best practices, and policies from presbyteries and synods on Preparation for Ministry. We make no endorsements of these models and practices, but provide them in support of the mission and ministries of middle governing bodies. Please contact the author/governing body listed for further information.

The Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel

In a time when many specialized fields of service are being considered by seminarians it is well to give serious thought to a ministry to the young men and women of the military forces of our country as a possible area of full-time or part-
time service.

List of personnel:

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