MINISTERIAL VOCATION COMMITTEE

SUMMARY OF WORK

The Ministerial Vocation Committee sought to serve Christ & His people in our privilege and responsibility of the regular worship of God and in our primary mission to evangelize by:

1. Monitoring and aiding ministerial committees of local presbyteries.
2. Assisting in the placement of pastors and helping churches find pastors.
3. Providing information on colleges and seminaries (along with adjacent print, electronic and ministry resources).
4. Interviewing Candidates for seminary equivalent educational programs.
5. Overseeing the four national written examinations.
6. Exercising authority over all standardized national forms for the Ordination Process.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

46-35 The Ministerial Vocation Committee recommends that the 46th General Assembly approve the following Endorsement Policy to supersede the Acts of Assembly 20-10

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WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

The MVC considered a request from Ministerial Committee the Presbytery of the East regarding the written exams, postponing response pending recommendations of the Ad Interim Committee on Ordination Standards.

The MVC sent a letter to Clerks of Presbyteries encouraging remuneration for Chairs of Ministerial Committees.

The MVC held an onboarding meeting in January of 2026 for new Ministerial and Care of Candidates Chairs.

The MVC met in person with Ministerial Committee Chairs in the office of the OGA for the purpose of fostering collegiality, training, sharing best practices, and identifying issues facing Ministerial and care of Candidates Committees.

The MVC hosted 6 additional meetings (Zoom) with Ministerial Committee Chairs for the purpose of training, sharing best practices, identifying issues facing Ministerial and Care of Candidates
including review of constitutional changes adopted by the 45th GA.

The MVC discussed Face-to-Face for the 46th General Assembly requesting that the Stated Clerk schedule Face-to-Face on the first day of the Assembly. (MVC-2026-03)

The MVC received a presentation and an application to be a resource by Brandon Addison of Tin Man Ministries.

The MVC initiated a review process of Committee Endorsements and made a recommendation to the 46th General Assembly regarding the EPC Endorsement Policy. (MVC-2026-05)

The MVC voted to remove Mike Bonem and Vanderblomen Search Group from Endorsements. (MVC-2026-02)

The MVC made CEEP recommendations for 7 candidates. (MVC-2025-13,16,21,22,23, 2026-01, 9)

The MVC developed and approved a policy requiring a signature that all work submitted in taking the written exams be free AI-generated content. (MVC-2025-19, MVC-2026-07) (Written Ordination Exams AI Integrity Statement)

The MVC tasked Assistant Stated Clerk TE Michael Davis with oversight of the written exam graders. (MVC-2026-08)

The MVC reviewed the Bible Knowledge Assessment used by World Outreach with representatives from World Outreach.

The MVC authorized the Chair to review all Terms of Call forms as needed to ensure compliance with the Book of Order. (MVC-2025-14, 15)

The MVC approved the removal of the 2021 Ordination Exam form from the website. (MVC-2025-17)

The MVC hosted an onboarding meeting with the new Ministerial Vocation Committee members.

The MVC discussed continuing education for Pastors and Commissioned Pastors, noting the Assembly’s charge to develop a continuing education program (83-14).

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RECOMMENDATIONS (DETAILED)

RECOMMENDATION 46-35

The Ministerial Vocation Committee recommends that the 46th General Assembly approve the following Endorsement Policy to supersede the Acts of Assembly 20-10

“The General Assembly and its permanent committees may deem it wise to recommend agencies and resources to its churches as valuable aids for their ministries. These recommended agencies and resources shall be evaluated on the following criteria:
• They assist EPC churches or leaders in pursuing our stated mission and vision.
• They are consistent with our evangelical and Reformed beliefs.
Recommended agencies may be included on the denominational website or in other communications. Permanent committees may add annotations to their recommendations, which will be included on the denominational website or in other communications. Permanent committees will establish biennial review procedures for agencies and resources they have recommended to ensure that they continue to meet the criteria above. In cases in which Assembly committees find that reviewed resources do not continue to meet the criteria, they shall report the removal of their recommendation, noting specific shortcomings.”

Rational:
This recommendation eliminates specified categorization in the evaluation of Endorsed agencies, printed and electronic resources.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Scott Sealy
TE, Presbytery of the Central South

Charlie Youther
RE, Presbytery of the Midwest

Joseph Sleslinski
RE, Presbytery of the East

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MEETING DATES

July 16, 2025: Video Conference
September 16-18, 2025: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
December 11, 2025: Video Conference
December 15, 2025: Video Conference
March 3-5, 2026: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
April 13, 2026: Video Conference

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