In conformance with G-14.0310 b (3), we require that the Candidate:

• Take both Hebrew and Greek
• Take exegetical courses of both Old and New Testaments using Hebrew and Greek texts
• Take at least one course (preferably two) in reformed theology
• Participate in the CPM process for a minimum of two years

• A background check as people are received as Inquirers. (Adopted 23 Nov 04.)

 
• At least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) as part of the Candidate's Supervised Ministry education. Information about CPE is available on the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education web site -- http://acpe.edu/

 
• One year Field Education experience which should be within a Presbyterian church, wherever possible -- See specific requirements (Adopted 23 Mar 03.)

 
• Career Evaluation 

Before an Inquirer meets with the CPM for the purpose of requesting enrollment as a Candidate, the Inquirer must complete the two day Career Evaluation program. Read more about this requirement here. Inquirers are strongly encouraged to schedule this evaluation in the first months of inquiry.
 
• A brief report of one's faith journey presented to presbytery at the time of recommendation to Candidate status.

 
• Certification in regard to the constitutional standards.

 
• Scruples 101 concerning standards was adopted by this presbytery May 5, 2007. PSNE also instructed us to provide it to all inquirers and candidates.

 
• Section G-14.0305 j(6) stipulates that the Candidate should preach a sermon before the calling presbytery or a committee thereof and specifies the written submissions required. 
• The sermon is to be on a text or texts assigned by this CPM (generally the lectionary texts for the Sunday prior to the meeting to hear the sermon) and in no case to be the materials submitted for the Exegesis Ordination Exam. The Candidate may also propose a preferred text or texts.
• While the Presbytery of Southern New England may not be the calling presbytery, the Candidate should advise the CPM Chairman when he or she will be preaching within the bounds of the SNE Presbytery, so that a committee can be assigned to attend and verify that this requirement has been met.
• Alternatively, the Candidate may be required to preach at a committee meeting.

 
• Section G-14.0305 j(3) requires an expression of theological views compatible with the confessional documents of the church. Here are some guidelines for preparing a faith statement.

[G-14.0314 b] When a candidate is called to work under the jurisdiction of some other Reformed body, he or she may be dismissed as a candidate by certification.

2. It is important to the faithful and orderly exchange of ordained ministers among the four churches of A Formula of Agreement that one who would serve in a congregation of another church first be formed and educated for ministry in one's own tradition, and have experience in serving in that church's ordained ministry. Such experience and grounding in one's own tradition are seen to be essential prior to serving in a setting of another tradition; therefore, such service is not intended for a first call.

• Care of Candidates Certified Ready for Examination

Presbytery responsibility for the care of candidates continues after they have been certified ready whether they are actively seeking a call or not. Open communications are essential to facilitate this care. Therefore:
• Candidates certified ready for examination are to provide written reports using the Presbytery of Southern New England “CRE Report” as appropriate. [G-14.0308]
• CPM shall meet in person with CRE candidates annually. Where appropriate, CPM may appoint persons from this presbytery or the presbytery where the candidate resides to conduct this meeting. The appointed persons are to report to CPM on the results of their meeting.
• Except when the delay in seeking a call is occasioned by full time theological study in pursuit of an advanced degree, the certified ready candidate shall meet in person with the full Presbytery of Southern New England CPM every third year.
• Candidates who are not actively seeking a call are encouraged to either:
• after consultation with their session and CPM, withdraw from covenant relationship [G-14.0312], or 
• if they are not living in the Presbytery of Southern New England, explore transferring their covenant relationship to their presbytery of residence [G-14.0311]. Note that the procedures for this transfer must be carefully followed, or forfeiture of standing may result.

 
• Records Retention

Committees on Preparation for Ministry are required to collect and retain a variety of highly personal information about inquirers and candidates. These records include information of three basic types: 
1. Documents fulfilling the constitutional requirements of the Presbyterian Church (USA). These include the Forms and constitutionally required essays, the ordination examinations, and the academic transcripts. 
2. Documents fulfilling the requirements of the Presbytery of Southern New England. These include career evaluation reports, field education reports, clinical pastoral education reports, background check reports, Presbytery misconduct statements and attestations. 
3. Incidental materials and correspondence resulting from the work of the committee. 


Depending on the outcome of the preparation process, these materials will be handled in different ways.
 

1. When the candidate is under consideration for a call, the constitutionally required documents are made available to the CPM and COM of the calling presbytery, and may be released to them on their request. The PSNE required documents may be released to the calling presbytery COM and CPM only with prior written permission from the candidate. The incidental materials will not normally be released or retained; except when in the judgment of the chair (co-chairs) of CPM they are substantially relevant to understanding the candidate. In that case, prior written permission by the candidate is necessary.
2. When a candidate is ordained and the records have not been transferred to the calling presbytery, the documents required by the denomination and presbytery shall be offered to the candidate. Unless the candidate authorizes their disposal in writing, they shall be forwarded to the candidate or their designee. The incidental documents will normally be destroyed.
3. When a candidate initiates withdrawal from the process, they shall be offered the documents required by the denomination and presbytery. Unless the candidate authorizes their disposal in writing, these documents shall be forwarded to the candidate or their designee. They should be reminded that their ordination exams would be considered were they ever to return to the preparation process. The incidental documents will normally be destroyed.
4. When the CPM decides a person should not continue in the preparation process, the documents shall be retained for at least five years. At that time they should be returned to the inquirer or candidate unless that person has authorized their destruction. The incidental documents are to be destroyed.
5. Documents created during the initial contacts with people who are not enrolled as inquirers will either be returned or destroyed after five years at the sole discretion of the committee chair(s).


A record of the disposal of records and any written release authorizations shall be retained permanently. 
 

• Records Confidentiality

The chair or co-chairs of the CPM shall make a reasonable effort to keep the records of inquirers and candidates confidential. They may make these contents available to the full CPM or individual members thereof when they judge this appropriate or necessary. They may make these records available to other presbytery CPMs only as described in the Records Retention policy. All other releases of the records or their content require the written approval of the inquirer or candidate.