The following document is a condensed version of a longer document which is posted at New Castle Prebytery's website. You can access that longer document here.

 

A Condensed Version of New Castle Presbytery’sGuidelines for the Implementation

of the Commissioned Lay Pastor Program

 

 PURPOSE OF CLP PROGRAM

 

CLPs give leadership and care to small churches.  The CLP program was designed to provide pastoral support for small churches, unable to attract Ministers of the Word and Sacrament, due to their church’s size, location, and financial status.

 

 

  • CLP’s provide small churches with the opportunity to grow and change and be transformed for Christ’s ministry

 

  • As solo pastors, CLPs provide worship leadership and preaching, pastoral care, study and education opportunities, encourage outreach opportunities and help a church grow.

 

 
CLPs serve larger churches that need, but are unable to obtain, ordained ministers to help the church grow or continue to grow.
 
Often a growing church is in need of an additional part-time or full-time staff person in order to continue that growth and not plateau because of lack of staffing. Often when that church cannot afford or find an ordained minister, a CLP is an ideal alternative.  A CLP may also be needed for a church to expand its ministry.

 

 
 
CLPs Can Serve in a Validated Ministry (G-14.0801a). There are tremendous opportunities for CLPs to serve as evangelists, home missionaries, chaplains and pastors to people that are not being reached by our churches and where the services of a Minister of the Word and Sacrament cannot be obtained. This is perhaps one of our greatest opportunities and challenges.

 

 TRAINING AND USE of CLPs WILL FOLLOW THESE PRINCIPLES:

 

  • CLPs will be actively used to help meet the Presbytery’s goal to strengthen congregations. 
  • CLPs serve within the framework of the provisions of the Book of Order (G-14.0801). 
  • The Presbytery helps CLPs maximize their skills by providing training and ongoing support. 
  • The primary CLP training will be for the up-building of churches and their respective ministries.
  • Some CLPs with unique gifts and skills can provide outreach to those outside the church in ministries of Evangelism, Health, Chaplaincy, and other specialized work.

 

Note: Not everyone completing the CLP program should seek commissioning. Many are needed in their home churches to strengthen them and some do not have the gifts for pastoral ministry. Some will provide occasional supply preaching.

 

BOOK OF ORDER REQUIREMENTS

 

 

The Book of Order (G-14.0801) establishes criteria for the equipping of Commissioned Lay Pastors and their ongoing accountability to the Presbytery:

 

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 a mentor 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 for purposes of parity).
  6. Perform a service of Christian marriage when invited by the session or other responsible committee, and when allowed by the State.

 

 

 

PROCESS FOR COMMISSIONING

 

TRAINING - PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS

Each candidate for CLP shall be expected to attain understanding and proficiency in Bible, Reformed Theology, Sacraments, Presbyterian Polity, Worship, Preaching, Teaching and Pastoral Care. All participants will be expected to complete a NCP recognized training program.

 

APPLYING FOR COMMISSIONING

 

A person desiring to become a Commissioned Lay Pastor shall be an ordained Elder and shall have completed the New Castle Presbytery CLP training program. The person must have a call from a church, new church development project or validated ministry before the commission can be granted. In the case of a validated ministry, the ministry would have to be approved before it would be considered a validated called position. The person must have the recommendation of the CLP Steering Committee. Where appropriate and recommended by the CLP Steering Committee or COM, the prospective CLP may be asked to participate in psychological in a COM approved counseling process. The church or validated ministry will request that the COM and Presbytery commission the person to the described ministry. The person to be commissioned will appear before the Examinations Committee to be examined and then will meet with the COM.

 

 

PREPARATION OF CLPs

 

 

CLPs are trained and equipped by the Presbytery (G-14.0801a). Preparation shall include:

 

1. Biblical Studies,

 

2. Reformed Theology,

 

3. Presbyterian Polity,

 

4. Worship Leadership and Sacraments,

 

5. Preaching,

 

6. Teaching, and

 

7. Pastoral Care & Spiritual Formation

 

EXAMINATION

 

 

The final examination of CLP candidates shall be the responsibility of the Presbytery's Examination Committee. They will examine the applicant as to their

 

  • personal faith,
  • motives for seeking the commission,
  • knowledge of required subject matter and usefulness to serve the church as CLP.

 

Upon successful completion of the examination, the COM, in consultation with the CLP applicant and the session(s) of specific of church(es), will make a recommendation for the commissioning of the CLP candidate.
 


Page Information

  • 1 year ago [history]
  • View page source
  • You're not logged in
  • No tags yet learn more

Wiki Information

Recent PBwiki Blog Posts