Candidacy

As the seminary of the CRCNA, Calvin Theological Seminary (CTS) is charged with offering a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) degree that meets the ministry standards set by Synod. Through its candidacy committee, faculty and board, CTS also offers a candidacy program whereby synodical candidacy requirements can be satisfied. The Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy (EPMC) offered by the seminary is a candidacy program approved by synod and especially designed for students studying at other seminaries.

The links below contain valuable information about the candidacy process in general and candidacy requirements in particular. If you have further questions about the candidacy program of the CRCNA, you can contact Rev. David Koll, or Duane Kelderman, CTS candidacy committee chairperson.

General Information

• Candidacy Committee (CC)
• Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy (EPMC)
• Information for churches interested in prospective candidates
• Personal Qualifications For The Ministry
• Frequently Asked Questions by students applying for candidacy to upcoming synod
• Delayed Candidates

Candidacy Application Process 2009-10

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• Candidacy Applicant List: (as soon as possible, no later than December 15, 2009)

  It is very important to get your name on the Candidacy Applicant List so that you receive important candidacy information throughout the months leading up to synod. Please e-mail Karlene Werner, administrative assistant to Vice President Duane Kelderman, and inform her of your desire to apply for candidacy.

  As soon as you notify us that you wish to apply for candidacy you will be assigned a text for your candidacy sermon.

• Biographical Sketch: (due by January 15, 2010)

  Fill out online.

• Authorization to Release Information: (due by January 15, 2010)

  (Students must print off, sign and return (hard copy or fax) this document to Karlene Werner.)

• Two sermons: (due January 22, 2010 turn in to Karlene)

  Three copies of the sermon manuscript (typed double-spaced) on the assigned text, three copies of the sermon manuscript from a text of the student’s choice (not one written for class work)

  Two DVDs or videotapes of the assigned-text sermon only (DVDs preferred), ideally from an actual worship service. If you use tapes, please use two brand new tapes. Check each one to make sure the quality is good and that your entire sermon is there.

  Guidelines for sermon prep

• Council Recommendation: (due February 26, 2010)

  This form is to be completed by either the minister or the clerk of the council. Forward this form to the church either electronically or in hard copy.

• Statement of Faith: (due February 26, 2010)

  A one-page statement of faith should be sent as an email attachment to Karlene Werner.

• Statement of Reason: (due February 26, 2010)

  A one-paragraph statement of reason for seeking candidacy should be sent as an email attachment to Karlene Werner.

• Minister's Profile: (due February 26, 2010)

  The Minister’s Profile provides important information to the Ministerial Information Service, a denominational service that facilitates the exchange of information between pastors and congregations looking for pastors. Even if you already know where you will be serving you are still encouraged to complete this profile for future information sharing. Congregations regularly ask the Ministerial Information Service for information on specific pastors and can be better served by having the information on you provided by this profile.

  This form can be obtained at the CRCNA Website.

  Please return the completed form to Laura Palsrok via email.

• Photograph: (due February 26, 2010)

  Information regarding the photo that will appear in The Banner and booklet for Synod.

• The denominational candidacy interviews will be held on April 23, 2010