General Information on Presbyterian Church In America

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  3. PCA Historical Center
  4. Presbytery Portal

PDC Orientation Packet

General Information for Applicants and Candidates for Gospel Ministry

Coming Under Care and Beginning Presbytery Internship Process & Deadlines

[You will come under care and begin your internship at the same presbytery meeting. Click here for the Internship Checklist]

Step 1: Complete the “Application to Come Under Care and Begin Presbytery Internship” (DUE two months prior to stated meeting you wish to come under care; Nov 30 [Jan]; Feb 28 [Apr]; May 31 [July]; Aug 31 [Oct]).

Step 2: Have an elder or pastor complete the “Session Endorsement Form” (DUE two months prior to stated meeting you wish to come under care; Nov 30 [Jan]; Feb 28 [Apr]; Aug 31 [Oct]).

Step 3: Take Written Exam and Meet with Pastoral Development Commitee – Experiential Religion Examination can be obtained from the Chair of the Pastoral Development Committee (if you lack this contact information, please contact the Stated Clerk). Once examination is completed, return it to the Pastoral Development Committee Chair and schedule a time to meet with the Pastoral Development Committee. After meeting with the Pastoral Development Committee and being approved to proceed, the prospective Candidate will meet with the Candidates and Credentials Committee (PDC usually meets monthly, so it is important that this meeting happens 2-3 months prior to the upcoming Presbytery meeting in order to have time to schedule the meeting with the Candidates and Credentials Committee).

Step 4: Oral Examination with the C&C Committee – Christian Experience and Sense of Call (ideally 4-6 weeks prior to the next stated meeting).

Step 5: If recommended, undergo oral examination on Christian experience and sense of call at the next stated meeting.

Step 6: If approved, you will come under care of the Presbytery and begin your presbytery internship at that same meeting (BCO 18-3; 19-10).

Licensure Candidates Process & Deadlines

[If not already under care of a PCA Presbytery, then please complete the above steps. You may come under care, begin your internship, and be licensed at the same presbytery meeting.]

Step 1: Complete the “Application for Licensure” (DUE three months prior to next stated meeting; Oct 31 [Jan]; Jan 31 [Apr]; April 30 [July]; July 31 [Oct]).

Step 2: Study using the Licensure Study Guide, read the assigned reports, and participate in study sessions with recommended Presbyters.

Step 3: Complete the forms indicating your Stated Differences to our Constitution and your reading of the assigned reports.

Step 4: Meet with someone from the Pastoral Development Committee.

Step 5: Take Written Exams – Experiential Religion, English Bible, Theology, & BCO (Completed exams DUE two months prior to next stated meeting; Nov 30 [Jan]; Feb 28 [Apr]; May 31 [July]; August 31 [Oct]).

Step 6: Turn in Sermon Manuscript on Assigned Passage (DUE one week prior to committee oral exam).

Step 7: Oral examination with the C&C Committee (ideally 4-6 weeks prior to the next stated meeting).

Step 8: If recommended, preach sermon and undergo oral examination at the next stated meeting (4th Saturdays of January, April, July, and October).

Step 9: If approved, you will be licensed by Presbytery at that same meeting (BCO 19-3).

Ordination Candidates Process & Deadline

[If not already licensed by a PCA Presbytery, then please complete the above steps for licensure.]

Step 1: Complete the “Application for Ordination” (DUE three months prior to next stated meeting; Oct 31 [Jan]; Jan 31 [Apr]; April 30 [July]; July 31 [Oct]).

Step 2: Study using the Ordination Study Guide and participate in study sessions with recommended Presbyters

Step 3: Turn in the following (please email the chair of CC Comm and the state clerk):

  1. Appropriate Bachelor and Master’s transcripts;
  2. Information/testimonials regarding completion and approval of internship;
  3. One paper/thesis on a theological topic (a seminary paper will probably suffice);
  4. One exegesis paper interacting with an original language (Greek or Hebrew; a seminary paper will probably suffice);
  5. Terms of Call Letter.

Step 4: Meet with a member of the Pastoral Development Committee. 

Step 5: Take Written Exams – Sacraments, Church History, PCA History (Completed exams DUE two months prior to next stated meeting; Nov 30 [Jan]; Feb 28 [Apr]; May 31 [July]; August 31 [Oct]).

Step 6: Oral examination with the C&C Committee (ideally 4-6 weeks prior to the next stated meeting).

Step 7: If recommended, undergo oral examination at the next stated meeting ((4th Saturdays of January, April, July, and October).

Step 8: If approved, a Presbytery appointed commission will ordain and install on an appointed day.