Faculty ready to interview

Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy Faculty Interview

The following material from the Calvin Theological Seminary Faculty Handbook explains the purpose and focus of the EPMC pre-candidacy interview.

In order that the faculty may fulfill its obligation to prepare an informed recommendation for candidacy for a student enrolled in the Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy in the Christian Reformed Church, it is necessary to hold an interview with each student during the student's time of residence at Calvin Theological Seminary. The EPMC pre-candidacy interview, which is approximately of one hour's duration, is more than a casual conversation with the student but it is not the same as the oral examination for an academic degree. Whereas the primary focus of the oral examination is the demonstration of one's theological competence as part of receiving an academic degree, the primary focus of the EPMC pre-candidacy interview is more confessional, ecclesiastical, and professional. In the EPMC pre-candidacy interview, faculty seeks to become more acquainted with the student with a view to assessing (1) the student's personal, spiritual and professional readiness for ministry, (2) the student's knowledge of and agreement with the confessional positions of the Christian Reformed Church, and (3) the student's general suitability for ministerial candidacy in the Christian Reformed Church.

The interview focuses primarily on the following areas:

  1. The candidate's personal background and sense of vocation.
  2. An investigation of the candidate's knowledge of Scripture, systematic theology and of the history of doctrine.
  3. An examination of the candidate's doctrinal soundness and creedal awareness.
  4. An assurance of the candidate's willingness to sign the Form of Subscription in good conscience

The purpose of the EPMC pre-candidacy interview is to more fully inform faculty regarding the student's readiness for ministry and confessional soundness with a view to the faculty preparing the student's candidacy recommendation. This is not a pass-fail interview. Immediately following the interview and a brief time for faculty panel discussion of the interview, the panel will provide feedback to the student regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the interview. Written reports on the interviews are submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs who passes along any salient information to the student's faculty advisor and the Candidacy Committee.

The CTS faculty recommends that students prepare for the EPMC pre-candidacy interview in the following ways:

  1. Thoroughly read and review
    • the three ecumenical creeds-Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed
    • the three confessions of the Christian Reformed Church--Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort
    • "Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony" and
    • the CRC Church Order.

      (These resources are all available online at www.crcna.org.)

  2. Thoroughly read and review summary statements of the Reformed perspective as it comes to expression in the Christian Reformed Church, e.g.,
    • What It Means to Be Reformed: An Identity Statement, endorsed by the 2002 synod of the Christian Reformed Church as part of the CRCNA's Denominational Ministries Plan.

      (This can be ordered in print form from www.crcna.org or is available to download as a PDF file.)

    • Authentic Worship in a Changing Culture, a study of worship based upon a report adopted by Synod, 1997. Of particular interest here are the relationship between worship, ecclesiology and evangelism and the theological principles that inform reflection on these matters.

      (This is no longer in print and is only available as a PDF file.)

  3. In reviewing the creeds, confessions and summary statements of the Reformed perspective, pay particular attention to the biblical support given for the major tenets of the Reformed perspective.

  4. Review the denomination's official positions on a variety of theological and ethical matters.

    Summaries of these positions can be found on the denominational website at
    http://www.crcna.org/pages/positions.cfm