Minister of Word and Sacrament path
Discern ordered ministry with the church.
Preparation for ministry is a shared process of inquiry, formation, assessment, and accompaniment. MVP’s Committee on Preparation for Ministry helps people explore and prepare for this vocation.
Your first step
Begin with your pastor and Session, then connect with MVP.
Before selecting a school or building a private checklist from old materials, begin with a conversation about call. MVP can explain the current inquiry and candidacy process and introduce you to the Committee on Preparation for Ministry.
The general journey
Preparation happens in relationship.
MVP will confirm the current constitutional and local requirements rather than asking you to assemble the process from old documents.
- 1
Discern with your congregation
Speak with your pastor and Session about your sense of call, gifts, questions, and readiness to enter a formal process.
- 2
Enter inquiry with MVP
Connect with the Committee on Preparation for Ministry and establish a supported plan for discernment and preparation.
- 3
Grow through preparation
Pursue theological education, spiritual and vocational formation, supervised ministry, and the required denominational assessments.
- 4
Move toward candidacy and readiness
Continue assessment with the presbytery as call, competencies, examinations, and readiness for ministry become clearer.
- 5
Receive a call and seek ordination
When preparation and a call come together, complete the presbytery’s examination and approval process for ordination.
Resources along the way
Formation serves discernment; it does not replace it.
Use Scripture, worship materials, formation resources, and public training offerings as part of your growth. Your formal plan, assessments, records, and committee work remain in the appropriate private process.