Graduates Together

Candidacy

Listen to recordings of all the 2008 informational meetings (login required).

Candidacy Process

All students aspiring to be ministers of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) are part of the candidacy process at Calvin Theological Seminary. Students often have questions about the Candidacy Committee--Who is on it? What does it do? What is its relationship to FFM leaders? How are psychological assessments used by FFM leaders and the Candidacy Committee? Read Everything students always wanted to know about the candidacy process (pdf) for a serious, but playful, discussion of an important part of the seminary journey for students bound for CRC ministry.

Psychological Assessment Program

All M.Div. and M.A. students participate in a psychological assessment early in their seminary program. Read the The Psychological Assessment Program (pdf) document for an explanation of the psychological assessment process and various follow up activities that may be recommended by psychologists.

Candidacy Application (show | hide)

Applying for Candidacy for Ordained Ministry in the Christian Reformed Church of North America:

In order to be a Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), seminarians must complete the candidacy requirements adopted by the synod of the CRCNA and implemented by the Synodical Ministerial Candidacy Committee (SMCC). (more).

As the seminary of the CRCNA, Calvin Theological Seminary (CTS) is charged with offering a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) degree that meets the ministry standards set by Synod. Through its candidacy committee, faculty and board, CTS also offers a candidacy program whereby synodical candidacy requirements can be satisfied. The Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy (EPMC) offered by the seminary is a candidacy program approved by synod and especially designed for students studying at other seminaries.

The links below contain valuable information about the candidacy process in general and candidacy requirements in particular. If you have further questions about the candidacy program of the CRCNA, you can contact Rev. David Koll, or Duane Kelderman, CTS candidacy committee chairperson.

General Information


Candidacy Application Process 2007-08

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  • Candidacy Applicant List: (as soon as possible, no later than February 1, 2008)

    It is very important to get your name on the Candidacy Applicant List so that you receive important candidacy information throughout the months leading up to synod. Please e-mail Karlene Werner, administrative assistant to Vice President Duane Kelderman, and inform her of your desire to apply for candidacy.

    As soon as you notify us that you wish to apply for candidacy you will be assigned a text for your candidacy sermon.

  • Biographical Sketch: (due by February 22, 2008)

    Download a hard copy, or fill out online.

  • Authorization to Release Information: (due by February 22, 2008)

    (Students must print off, sign and return (hard copy or fax) this document to Karlene Werner.)

  • Two sermons: (due February 29, 2008 turn in to Karlene)

    Three copies of the sermon manuscript (typed double-spaced) on the assigned text, three copies of the sermon manuscript from a text of the student’s choice (not one written for class work)

    Two DVDs or videotapes of the assigned sermon text (DVDs preferred), ideally from an actual worship service. If you use tapes, please use two brand new tapes. Check each one to make sure the quality is good and that your entire sermon is there.

    Guidelines for sermon prep

  • Council Recommendation: (due March 21, 2008)

    This form is to be completed by either the minister or the clerk of the council. Forward this form to the church either electronically or in hard copy.

  • Statement of Faith: (due March 21, 2008)

    A one-page statement of faith should be sent as an email attachment to Karlene Werner.

  • Statement of Reason: (due March 21, 2008)

    A one-paragraph statement of reason for seeking candidacy should be sent as an email attachment to Karlene Werner.

  • Minister's Profile: (due March 21, 2008)

    The Minister’s Profile provides important information to the Ministerial Information Service, a denominational service that facilitates the exchange of information between pastors and congregations looking for pastors. Even if you already know where you will be serving you are still encouraged to complete this profile for future information sharing. Congregations regularly ask the Ministerial Information Service for information on specific pastors and can be better served by having the information on you provided by this profile.

    This form can be obtained at the CRCNA Website.

    Please return the completed form to Laura Palsrok via email.

  • The Health Form: (due March 21, 2008)

    Please print off this form and return completed form to Karlene Werner by the date above. You can go to your primary care provider or Dr. Edwin Kornoelje with Metro Health Cascade. Dr. Kornoelje has agreed to do these physicals for a reasonable fee. His office is located at 4300 Cascade Rd SE and his phone number is 252-1500.

    For a low cost TB test, please check with your local Health Department.

  • Photograph: (due March 21, 2008)

    Information regarding the photo that will appear in The Banner and booklet for Synod.