Committee on Preparation for Ministry: Steps to Becoming an Inquirer

1. Speak with your pastor about your interest and plans. Before applying for inquiry you must have been a member of your church for at least six months. Explore with the pastor a time for a meeting with the session to review your inquiry application materials. Do NOT set the meeting date until you can submit your application because the session must sign off on the papers.

If the session has not had training from CPM within the past year, a time will need to be set for someone from CPM to be present and explain the preparation process. This may be the same meeting when you meet with the session. Call the presbytery office to speak to the Associate Executive Presbyter for Ministry (the Rev. Ginny Smith) at 312-243-8300 x 1318 to arrange for a CPM representative to meet with the session.

2. Call the Associate Executive Presbyter for Ministry (AEP for Ministry) to set a time for a pre-inquiry interview (312-243-8300 x 1318) or email a request to gsmith@chicagopresbytery.org. During this interview the preparation process for ministry will be reviewed. To prepare for this interview, please write a one page biographical sketch about yourself that includes information about your family, personal church history, work history, and your sense of call to the ministry. Email this statement to the AEP for Ministry at the above address prior to the date of the interview. At this time you will receive a copy of the CPM Manual.

3. Inquiry materials to be completed by the applicant:

A. After the pre-inquiry interview complete the following forms:

1A – Background Information on the Inquirer

1B – Session Endorsement

2A – Application for Inquiry

2B – Covenant Agreement

These forms are accessible below and may be completed on line. Be sure to note the nine questions for reflection that are part of 1A. A copy of each form shall be printed and submitted to the session and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry. Form 1A may be submitted electronically to the Executive Presbyter for Ministry with a note attached indicating the meeting date with the session.

Please read and keep the pages entitled “Goals and Responsibilities for the Inquirer” and Goals and Responsibilities for the Committee on Preparation for Ministry for Inquirer”.

B. Order transcripts from college, seminary and other graduate studies to be sent directly to the Associate Executive Presbyter for Ministry, Presbytery of Chicago, 100 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607.

C. Complete Criminal Background Check form and send a signed copy to the Associate Executive for Ministry at the presbytery office.

4. With your pastor, schedule a time to meet with your session. The session will need a copy of Form 1A, including the responses to the nine questions for reflection. If the session endorses you as an inquiry applicant, form 1B shall be completed. You and the session moderator must sign form 2B, the Covenant of Agreement. All completed and signed forms shall be submitted to the Associate Executive Presbyter for Ministry.

5. Arrange for a psychological assessment with Midwest Ministries Development Service. Ordinarily the church pays the fee for this assessment but shared payment may be arranged in hardship situations. The assessment need not be completed prior to your inquiry review but the date must be set. MMDS will send the report to you with a release form that you must sign and return to them in order for them to submit the report to CPM. This is required.

When all of the forms and information are received in the presbytery office you will be assigned an advisor and will be scheduled to meet with the Committee on Preparation for Ministry for your inquiry review. If the CPM votes to enroll you as an inquirer, your official beginning date will be the date of the CPM meeting. The committee ordinarily meets on the 4th Monday of each month.

Important addresses and phone numbers:

Presbytery of Chicago
100 S. Morgan St.
Chicago, IL 60607

Phone: 312-243-8300

The Rev. Dr. Virginia B. Smith
Associate Executive Presbyter for Ministry
Presbytery of Chicago
Extension: 1318

Email: gsmith@chicagopresbytery.org

Mail may also be addressed to the CPM at the presbytery address.

Mail the signed forms 1A, 1C and 2A to:

The Presbytery of Chicago
100 S. Morgan Street
Chicago,IL 60607
Attn: CPM