Commissioned Ruling Elder Policies and Procedures Manual

Committee on Preparation for Ministry
The Presbytery of the Twin-Cities Area

Adopted 12/11/2023

Table of Contents
A.	BECOMING A COMMISSION RULING ELDER	3
I.	The Initial Meeting	3
II.	The Assessment Meeting	3
III.	Commission Ruling Elder Training Program	4
IV.	Advisory Meetings And Updates	10
V.	Completion Of IEFP Requirements	11
VI.	Examination And Finalization Of Commission	11

BECOMING A COMMISSION RULING ELDER

I.	THE INITIAL MEETING

After reading Sections I-VI in the CRE Policies and Procedures Manual, the inquirer should contact the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) chair to set up an initial meeting with the CPM. To prepare for this meeting, the inquirer is requested to assemble the following documents and e-mail them to the committee chair.

The documents are:
A.	A completed application form.

B.	A one page written or orally delivered Statement of Motivation to serve as a Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE).

C.	A one page written or orally delivered statement about the Inquirer’s faith journey.

D.	Three references* one from each of the following people:
1.	Pastor (letter should include the date of  ordination as a PC (USA) elder).
2.	A Presbyterian elder.
3.	A co-worker.

*The reference letters should speak to the candidate’s faith journey, theological views, service to the church, gifts for CRE ministry, areas of growth and development needed to become an effective CRE.

E.	The CPM will review the documents and interview inquirer at the initial meeting.

F.	After the Initial Meeting, the committee will review all the information. The CPM Moderator will inform the inquirer by phone if they have been accepted into the CRE process and they will be invited to gather the materials needed for the assessment meeting.

II.	THE ASSESSMENT MEETING

The inquirer is invited by the CPM to prepare for an assessment meeting. The inquirer is requested to assemble and carry out the following requirements. All documents should be sent to the CPM Moderator.

A.	Write a one-page single spaced statement of Faith.

B.	Provide transcripts sent from any post-secondary schools even if a degree was not earned; or, the equivalent education achieved by whatever means, including life experience.

C.	Session Endorsement, via a letter to the CPM Moderator from the session stating the potential candidate’s gifts, areas of needed growth, and fitness to become a CRE.

D.	Assessment by Leaderwise.

1.	CPM Chair makes a referral to Leaderwise for a level 1 assessment.
2.	candidate makes an appointment for a Level 1 assessment with Leaderwise Ministry Development Center (651- 636-5120) for commission ruling elder candidacy. Leaderwise will share results with both CPM and the candidate regarding test scores and the interview.
3.	CPM pays 50% of the Leaderwise fee; the candidate’s congregation pays the other 50% of the fee. 

E.	Committee decision to enroll or not to enroll the inquirer as a candidate in the CRE program is made. If the decision is yes, the inquirer becomes a candidate and the following will occur. 

1.	A CRE advisor will be appointed to work closely with each candidate as they work through various aspects of the training program. 

2.	The candidate’s session will be asked to appoint an elder to serve as a liaison between the organization and CPM.

3.	Development of an individual education/formation plan (IEFP), which includes: Level 1 Boundary Training, and the commissioned ruling elder training program (see III below).

III.	COMMISSIONED RULING ELDER TRAINING PROGRAM
A.	Overview
The overall goal of the CRE training program seeks to prepare each candidate for his/her/their specific commission in the most effective, economical and judicious manner possible.

Specifically, the CRE training program offers a structured learning process that provides:
1.	customized training based on past training/experience with future needs related to the specific commissioning of the candidate as developed through the IEFP.

2.	one-on-one mentorship with a CRE advisor assigned by the CPM 

3.	a customized set of fields experiences organized with his/her/their pastor. The pastor, the CRE advisor, and the candidate should consider whether compensation for these experiences is appropriate.

The CRE training program may consist of up to fourteen – 12-hour modules of learning offered by the Synod of Lakes and Prairies that include: Introduction to Biblical Interpretation – Hermeneutics; Old Testament Survey & Interpretation; Introduction to Reformed Theology; Presbyterian History and Polity; Sacraments: Theology and Practice; New Testament Survey & Interpretation; Introduction to the New Testament; Church Development and Leadership; Personal Evangelistic Witness; Spiritual Formation and Ministry; Church Based Evangelism and Ministry; Homiletics; Spiritual Gifts and Pastoral Ministry; Introduction to Multi-Cultural Ministry in the 21st Century; Stewardship; and Teaching. Alternatively , a candidate may utilize the online CRE training program offered by Dubuque Seminary.

CPM will decide in consultation with the candidate and his/her/their advisor which modules must be completed prior to commissioning, which might be completed after commissioning, and which might be omitted altogether.
				
Methods of instruction may be adapted to meet the individual learning needs and/or cultural differences each CRE candidate may bring to the process.

B.	The Process
1.	Once the candidate receives CPM approval for training, the candidate will meet with his/her/their CRE Advisor to review educational transcripts, previous training and experiences related to the proposed commissioning.
2.	The CRE Advisor will recommend to the CPM how many of the 12-hour modules the candidate should take. An agreed action plan is created: curriculum, institutions identified, and scheduling mapped out.
3.	The candidate meets with the CPM to review the action plan. If agreed, the candidate signs a letter of agreement (see section E).
4.	The candidate may begin, suspend, delay or end his/her/their training schedule at any time with the understanding that commissioning will not be available until the training program is successfully completed.  
5.	Should the candidate suspend, delay, or end his/her/their training schedule, the candidate should notify their CRE Advisor, CPM Moderator, and Session in writing within ten days.

6.	The CRE Advisor will be in contact with the candidate  throughout this process and report to the CPM when appropriate

7.	Fees are the responsibility of the candidate but assistance is available (consult CRE Advisor)

C.	Candidate Letter of Agreement includes:
1.	Attending all modules in his/her/their training plan when scheduled.
2.	Exercise open communication with CRE Advisor and Church Session. 
3.	CRE Advisor and CPM agree to support candidate with information, encouragement and prayers.

V.  COMPLETION OF IEFP REQUIREMENTS

A.	 AS each of the IEFP requirements is completed, the CRE advisor notifies the CPM Moderator that the CRE candidate has completed the IEFP requirement.

B.	When each of the requirements that the IEFP identifies as needing to be completed prior to commissioning has been accomplished, The CPM will move to Examination of the Candidate and referral to COM for commissioning.

VI. EXAMINATION AND FINALIZATION OF COMMISSION

The CRE candidate will be provided with a list of possible questions to help in preparation for an oral examination at the final meeting.

A.	After all requirements are completed and approvals gained, the candidate will be referred to the COM with the recommendation that they be commissioned.