IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Prior to the presbytery meeting:

Please prepare and submit a biographical sketch and sense of call statement (300 words or less; sample following) which will be included, along with your Statement of Faith, in the presbytery packet.  This form MUST be submitted two weeks before the presbytery meeting!

At the presbytery meeting:

1. Introduction by the Chair of CPM - “The Commission on Preparation for Ministry has certified _______ _______________ ready to receive a call and presents them today for final examination by the body”
2. Endorsement of Ministry (3-4 Minutes) - At least one individual (or more, but the total time shall not exceed the allotted time), identified ahead of time, shall speak to the person’s fitness and readiness to undertake the office of Minister of Word and Sacrament. This may be a CPM member, someone who has worked with the individual, or a colleague. The leadership of CPM shall work with the individual and their care team to identify this individual (or individuals).  
3. Personal introduction and sharing of faith story and sense of call (3-4 Minutes) - The candidate shall briefly introduce themselves to the body and give the “reader’s digest” version of their faith journey while speaking to their current sense of call.
4. Reading of the Statement - The candidate shall then read their statement of faith for the body.
5. Extended Explanation (3-4 Minutes) - The Moderator shall then ask the candidate to expand on one area of their faith statement.
6. Questions from the Floor - The Moderator then shall ask if there are any further questions from the body. Commissioners’ questions must relate to the candidate’s statement of faith, forms of service, or sense of call. The representatives of CPM present may advise the moderator if they believe a question that a commissioner has asked is out of order.
7. When there are no further questions, the Chair of CPM shall move on behalf of the commission that the Candidate, if the way be clear, be approved for ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament.

Parts 1-5 are designed to take approximately 20 minutes. Part 6 shall be limited to a time period of 5 minutes. Unless there is a motion adopted by the body to extend the time for questions, the examination shall conclude and the body shall move to debate and vote on the recommendation.

SAMPLE BIOLOGICAL SKETCH & SENSE OF CALL STATEMENT

Biographical Sketch:

I grew up in Western NY (Rochester area) as an only child with my parents. We were faithful Presbyterians, attending church weekly and, in my high school years, I became involved in both our presbytery and synod youth councils. I attended Grove City College where I completed my undergraduate degree in Physics and Computer Science while minoring in religion. After my freshman year, I attended General Assembly in Long Beach, California and it was there that someone first suggested I consider ministry as a vocation. I, like many, resisted that call and spend the next three years of college trying to find something else to do. Finally, in the spring of my Senior year, I made the decision to shift directions a bit and enroll in seminary. That summer, I spent three wonderful months at the First Presbyterian Church of Montrose, Colorado as one of their youth ministry interns. While I had been previously involved in the church, this was my first experience of hands-on leadership. It taught me a lot about ministry. That fall I began my studies at Pittsburgh Seminary and shortly thereafter connected with Northmont Presbyterian Church. For the last two and a half years, I served as both a volunteer and student intern at Northmont, focused on youth ministry, adult small groups, preaching, and worship leadership.

My wife and I were married last June, shortly after graduation. We met during college and started dating after graduation. She has, for the last three years, been teaching 7th grade English in Maryland and is currently enrolled at Pittsburgh Seminary and working for Huntington Learning Centers as a tutor. She is originally from the Warren, Ohio area. We are both excited to be in Western Pennsylvania, relatively close to both our families and looking forward to what is next for both of us.

Sense of Call Statement:

As you might imagine, making the turn from a science/technology vocational path to one in ministry was not an easy transition for me. It was one of struggle, fruitless negotiation, and finally surrender. In hindsight, I can see the pieces of my sense of call coming together long before I finally accepted it. My appreciation for youth ministry and it’s unique place in the greater ministry of the church was planted during my summer in Colorado and confirmed over the past two and a half years at Northmont. At the beginning of this last year of seminary, it became very clear to me that my next ministry opportunity was supposed to be one focused on ministry with youth. As I began my call search during my last year of seminary, I had preliminary conversations with a number of congregations, but after my first interview with Hampton I knew this was the right fit for me. Subsequent conversations with the search committee, the Rev. Doug Portz, those who know me, and the congregation confirmed that sense of call. As I’ve had the chance to serve with the people of Hampton for the last six months, this sense of call has been confirmed again and again and I am excited about this next step in ministry.

I have also had the privilege of being a part of several the ministries of Pittsburgh Presbytery including Youth Council and Crestfield Camp & Conference Center. My then fiancée (now wife) and I served on the Crestfield summer staff in 2005 and I have taken part in a number of youth council activities including the 30 Hour Famine and Gateway Clipper Cruises. I am looking forward to future opportunities to participate in shared youth ministry activities in the Presbytery.

If you have a CLEAR and APPROPRIATE photo of yourself IN JPG FORMAT ONLY you would like to include with your bio and call statement, please attach.

PLEASE NOTE: CPM staff reserves the right to crop, re-size, and/or not use a photo if deemed necessary.