MINISTERIAL VOCATION COMMITTEE
The Ministerial Vocation Committee (MVC) reports to the 44th General Assembly of its work during 2023-2024, plus recommendations for consideration by the Assembly.
Use these quick links to navigate to a specific section of this report:
Summary of Work
Summary of Recommendations
Work of the Committee
Recommendations (Detailed)
Committee Members
Meeting Dates
Fred Lian
Chairman
TE, Presbytery of the West
SUMMARY OF WORK
1.The MVC worked with Presbytery Care of Candidates and Ministerial Committee Chairs to understand common issues that these committees regularly face and to identify best practices to resolve these issues.
2. The MVC worked to be the shepherd of the shepherds by helping with the personal, emotional, financial, and spiritual needs of several EPC pastors and churches.
3. The MVC provided encouragement and support to the Effective Biblical Leadership Task Force.
4. The MVC interviewed individuals who were seeking to engage with the Candidates Educational Equivalency Program for ordination.
5. The MVC held an “on-boarding” training session with Ministerial and Care of Candidate Chairs.
6. The MVC unanimously approved that the document, A Fond Farewell: Navigating a Healthy Pastoral Transition be shared and distributed to all Presbytery Ministerial Committee Chairs and Care of Candidates Committees.
7. The MVC met with TE Bob Stauffer, National Director of Church Health, and TE Bill Rasch who provided updates regarding what is occurring in this area of the EPC’s ministry.
8. TE Cron Gibson, Director of HopeWell Equipping and Counseling Center, Virginia Beach, VA. Cron shared with MVC how the MMPI-3 has been used in both the ordination process and the search process for churches, candidates, and pastors.
9. The MVC met with TE Zack Eswine, Pastor at Riverside Church in Webster Groves, MO, and co-founder of Sage Christianity, who presented a message on God’s wisdom and how to have a wisdom frame of mind, along with how to navigate cultural challenges.
10. At our September 2023 meeting the MVC members were paired with Ministerial Committee Chair members and Care of Candidate members in Zoom break out rooms in which the MVC facilitated various discussions in their groups.
11. The MVC met with TE Annie Rose, Director of Ministerial Support and Development, and responded to her request to make available the Ministerial Committee and Care of Candidate Chairs as soon as possible the following documents: 3 Phase Evaluation Process, A Fond Farewell: Navigating a Healthy Pastoral Transition, and MVC Standards for Candidate Examination.
12. The MVC reviewed possible editing suggestions for pages 38 and 39 in the Ministerial Vocation Committee Procedural Manual that have to do with the relationship between the Candidate and the Advisor.
13. The MVC approved a survey to be written and sent to each Ministerial Committee Chair regarding the on-going training process, if any, that presbyteries have for Commissioned Pastors. The results were presented at the March 2024 meeting.
14. The MVC discussed and responded to a request made by the Presbytery of Mid-America regarding both a theological issue and an issue pertaining to the peace and unity of the church.
15. The MVC reviewed the process utilized by graders of the ordination exams with a discussion about any potential changes and addressing any concerns that have been raised.
16. The MVC met with the members of Chaplains Work and Care Committee to learn of their on-going ministry to EPC ordained Chaplains and to recommend changes to the Book of Order regarding chaplaincy.
17. The MVC met with TE Bill Rasch of the Church Health team and received an update on the Transitional Pastor process.
18. The MVC met with Nancy Cimprich of Kairos Cohorts to consider a request to be a Commended Resource with the EPC.
19. Reviewed and approved a document titled, “Suggested Questions for a Pastor’s Exit Interview.”
RECOMMENDATIONS
44-27 The Ministerial Vocation Committee recommends that the 44th General Assembly amend the Book of Government sections 9-5E and 9-11 concerning Chaplain endorsements.
44-28 The Ministerial Vocation Committee recommends that the 44th General Assembly amend the Book of Government sections 10-7 & 9-5 C.3 concerning the Transitional Pastor.
WORK OF THE COMMITTEE
SCOPE OF WORK
The Ministerial Vocation Committee (MVC) continues its purpose to best support, encourage, and equip Teaching Elders to best be able to fulfill their call as Pastors, which will ultimately strengthen the ministry to which they are called.
A subcommittee of the MVC, the Outcomes Committee, continues its work on establishing a continuing education opportunity to help pastors to be most effective in their ministries. They are working to answer the question: What does it take for Pastors to thrive in ministry in the 21st century North American context?
The MVC approved Kairos Cohorts to be “Committee Commended/Committee Endorsed Resources” of the EPC (thekairosnetwork.com).
The MVC met with and approved eleven Candidates to participate in the Candidates Educational Equivalency Program (CEEP).
The MVC reaffirmed the importance of asking presbyteries to use the MMPI-3 in their candidating process.
An “on-boarding” Zoom meeting was held in January 2024 to engage with Ministerial Committee and Care of Candidates Chairs and introduce, or reinforcing, what the Procedural Manual for Ministerial and Candidates Committees contained.
The MVC was updated by TE Bob Stauffer (National Director of Church Health) TE Bill Rasch regarding the process of discerning the need for a Transitional Pastor and how that process works.
The MVC coordinated with the Outcomes Task Force to develop a pilot program for active Teaching Elders who wish to increase their health and effectiveness in pastoral ministry.
The MVC came to a consensus that it is highly recommended that all Candidates for ordination take the MMPI-3 psychological examination prior to the Ordination Exams being released.
The MVC assisted Candidates who had unique challenges (e.g., English as a second language, physical disability) to take the Ordination Exams with special exemptions for their distinctive needs.
The MVC reviewed and submitted a document with potential changes to the Candidate/Advisor process that will be examined by the Ad Interim Committee on Ordination Standards in their deliberations.
SUPPORTING MATERIAL
RECOMMENDATIONS (DETAILED)
RECOMMENDATION 44-27
44-27 The Ministerial Vocation Committee recommends that the 44th General Assembly amend the Book of Government sections 9-5E and 9-11 concerning Chaplain endorsements.
| Adding Chaplain Endorsement to the Book of Government Proposed new wording in bold italics |
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| Current Wording | Proposed Wording |
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Book of Government 9-5.E Chaplain A court of the Church, a hospital, the military, institutions, universities, or other appropriate fields of service may call a Teaching Elder as Chaplain if the Presbytery deems it appropriate. In such cases, the Chaplain shall always have as a primary responsibility the sharing of the Good News of God in Jesus Christ. |
Book of Government 9-5.E Chaplain A court of the Church, a hospital, the military, institutions, universities, or other appropriate fields of service may call a Teaching Elder as Chaplain if the Presbytery deems it appropriate. In such cases, the Chaplain shall always have as a primary responsibility the sharing of the Good News of God in Jesus Christ. All Teaching Elders serving as Chaplains for institutions requiring Ecclesiastical Endorsement shall be endorsed through the Chaplains Work and Care Committee. Chaplains serving Institutions that do not require Endorsement should normally be endorsed to certify being fully qualified to serve in this specialized ministry.(see Rules for Assembly X.10-1.I.3) |
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Book of Government 9-11 The Ruling Elder as a Commissioned Pastor A Ruling Elder may be temporarily authorized by Presbytery as a Commissioned Pastor for a congregation without a Pastor to preach the Word, evangelize, moderate a Session, administer the sacraments, perform marriages (if civil law allows), preside at funerals, and provide pastoral care. Presbyteries may also approve and give appropriate powers to a Ruling Elder to serve as a Commissioned Pastor in mission churches, church planting and church revitalization works, or in chaplaincy positions in hospitals, hospices, prisons, or other institutions. A. Authorization shall be for a term up to three years and may be renewed. Such authorization shall specify those powers granted and shall stipulate in which church(es) or ministry contexts those powers are authorized. Such powers shall be exercised only in those B. Potential Commissioned Pastors shall be examined by Presbytery and found to have sufficient knowledge in the areas in which they will be |
Book of Government 9-11 The Ruling Elder as a Commissioned Pastor A Ruling Elder may be temporarily authorized by Presbytery as a Commissioned Pastor for a congregation without a Pastor to preach the Word, evangelize, moderate a Session, administer the sacraments, perform marriages (if civil law allows), preside at funerals, and provide pastoral care. Presbyteries may also approve and give appropriate powers to a Ruling Elder to serve as a Commissioned Pastor in mission churches, church planting and church revitalization works, or in chaplaincy positions in hospitals, hospices, prisons, or other institutions. A. Authorization shall be for a term up to three years and may be renewed. Such authorization shall specify those powers granted and shall stipulate in which church(es) or ministry contexts those powers are authorized. Such powers shall be exercised only in those contexts. B. Potential Commissioned Pastors shall be examined by Presbytery and found to have sufficient knowledge in the areas in which they will be serving. C. Commissioned Pastors approved by their Presbytery to serve as a Chaplain for institutions requiring Ecclesiastical Endorsement shall be endorsed through the Chaplains Work and Care Committee. Chaplains serving Institutions that do not require Endorsement should normally be endorsed to certify being fully qualified to serve in this specialized ministry. (see Rules for Assembly X.10-1.I.3) [subsequent paragraphs are to be renumbered accordingly] |
Rationale: This recommendation would place the process for EPC endorsement of Military Chaplains (currently found only in Rules for Assembly X. 10-1.I.3) within G. 9-5E and applies the process to non-military chaplaincy positions that require Ecclesiastical Endorsement. The addition of section C to G.9-11 provides a means of Ecclesiastical Endorsement for Commissioned Pastors as well.
RECOMMENDATION 44-28
44-28 The Ministerial Vocation Committee recommends that the 44th General Assembly amend the Book of Government sections 10-7 & 9-5 C.3 concerning the Transitional Pastor.
| Amendment to the Book of Government concerning Transitional Pastor Proposed new wording in bold italics |
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| Current Wording | Proposed Wording |
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10-7 Temporary Pastoral Relationships A. Temporary Pastoral Relationships may be established with lawfully ordained Ministers or Commissioned Pastors when a church is without a pastor. 1. Transitional Pastor a. A Transitional Pastor is called by the Session to serve during the period a congregation is seeking a Pastor. The Transitional Pastor intentionally leads the congregation toward greater health and readiness for their next pastor and will ordinarily be appointed by the Presbytery to moderate the Session during the time of service. b. Due to the temporary nature of the call, Transitional Pastors called from another Presbytery in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church will ordinarily maintain membership in their home Presbytery. c. Upon approval of the Ministerial Committee, Transitional Pastors are introduced to the receiving presbytery and enrolled as corresponding members (voice but not vote). d. If a Transitional Pastor is called from outside the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Presbytery shall examine and transfer the pastor according to applicable provisions of this Book of Government.
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10-7 Temporary Pastoral Relationships A. Temporary Pastoral Relationships may be established with lawfully ordained Ministers or Commissioned Pastors when a church is without a pastor. 1. Transitional Pastor a. A Transitional Pastor is called by the Session to serve during the period a congregation is seeking a Pastor. The Transitional Pastor intentionally leads the congregation toward greater health and readiness for their next pastor and will ordinarily be appointed by the Presbytery to moderate the Session during the time of service. b. Due to the temporary nature of the call, Transitional Pastors called from another Presbytery in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church will ordinarily maintain membership in their home Presbytery. c. Upon approval of the Ministerial Committee, Transitional Pastors are introduced to the receiving presbytery and enrolled as corresponding members (voice but not vote). |
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Book of Government 9-5 The Office of Teaching Elder A. Pastor
A Teaching Elder may be called by a congregation to be a Pastor or Associate Pastor. Sessions may call a Teaching Elder as Assistant Pastor, Transitional Pastor, or invite a Teaching Elder as Stated Supply Pastor, or Occasional Supply Pastor. Presbytery must approve all such positions. These are the only recognized callings for Teaching Elders in a congregational setting.54 The office of the “co-pastor” is not a constitutionally recognized calling in a local church. Except as otherwise provided in the Book of Government, the Pastor of the church shall be the Moderator of Session. |
Book of Government 9-5 The Office of Teaching Elder A. Pastor 1. Titles A Teaching Elder may be called by a congregation to be a Pastor or Associate Pastor. Sessions may call a Teaching Elder as Assistant Pastor, Transitional Pastor, or invite a Teaching Elder as Transitional Pastor, Stated Supply Pastor, or Occasional Supply Pastor. Presbytery must approve all such positions. These are the only recognized callings for Elders in a congregational setting.54 The office of the “co-pastor” is not a constitutionally recognized calling in a local church. Except as otherwise provided in the Book of Government, the Pastor of the church shall be the Moderator of Session.
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Rationale: Temporary Pastoral Relationships are by invitation for a specified time and therefore do not require examination for presbytery membership, only interviewing for suitability to the task. Those pursuing transfer into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church as a Transitional Pastor would be examined for presbytery membership while those serving from outside the Evangelical Presbyterian Church could serve by temporary invitation in the same manner as a Stated Supply.
Rationale: Teaching Elders from outside the Evangelical Presbyterian Church called as Transitional Pastors must be examined for transfer according to G. 10-7 a.1.d. Teaching Elders from outside the Evangelical Presbyterian Church who are not seeking transfer will still be able to serve as Transitional Pastors by invitation of a Session in the same manner as Stated Supply Pastors G. 10-7 A.1.e
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Fred Lian (Chairman)
TE, Presbytery of the West
Chris Curtis
TE, Presbytery of Rivers & Lakes
Richard Gash
RE, Presbytery of the Alleghenies
Doug Resler
TE, Presbytery of the West
Scott Sealy
TE, Presbytery of the Central South
Rachel White
TE, Presbytery of the Pacific Northwest
MEETING DATES
July 25, 2023: Video Conference
August 15, 2023: Video Conference
September 12-14, 2023: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
November 29, 2023: Video Conference
January 10, 2024: Video Conference
January 23, 2024: Video Conference
January 31, 2024: Video Conference
March 5-7, 2024: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
May 21, 2024: Video Conference
Respectfully submitted,
Fred Lian, Chairman
June 2024
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