13.3. Committee on Preparation for Ministry

13.3.1. The committee consists of 5 teaching elders and ruling elders in numbers as nearly equal as possible. The committee will meet a minimum of 4 times a year.

13.3.2. The Committee on Preparation for Ministry shall oversee preparation of persons who seek to be ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament and those persons who seek to become commissioned ruling elders.

13.3.3. Responsibilities

13.3.3.1. Responsibilities are found in the Book of Order and the General Assembly’s “Advisory Handbook on Preparation for Ministry.”

13.3.3.2. Committee members will maintain contact with mentees, via personal visits and/or electronic means, throughout the year. Committee member
mentors will conduct annual consultations to review progress and establish goals for the next year with all inquirer and candidate mentees.

13.3.3.3. The Committee will secure and nominate to Presbytery for election annual “readers” for Ordination Examinations.

13.3.3.4. Committee member mentors will review progress, via personal visits and/or electronic means, and assist in exploring potential applications for
training.

13.3.4. Evaluations

13.3.4.1. The Committee on Preparation for Ministry will conduct background checks, including sexual abuse, prior to a seeker being approved as an inquirer or during the first term of commissioned ruling elder training. Cost will be paid by the committee.

13.3.4.2. Psychological evaluation/professional vocation evaluation will be completed by an inquirer before being approved as a candidate. The
inquirer will normally undergo evaluation at the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center. In lieu of the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center, the inquirer may undergo evaluation and counseling at the LeaderWise Center in New Brighton, Minnesota, the Midwest Career Development Center in Chicago, or another regional counseling center. The cost of the counseling/evaluation will be split between the committee, the inquirer’s local session, and the inquirer. The Moderator of the sub-committee will inform the inquirer and session of financial responsibilities.

13.3.5. Financial Support

13.3.5.1. The Committee recognizes that seminary and theological training for inquirers, candidates, and commissioned ruling elders is a time of financial stress for the seeker. It is the Presbytery’s position it will aid and help the seekers in every way possible to reduce the financial hardship for the
seeker. Individual congregations and the seeker’s own congregation should and can be solicited for financial aid.

13.3.5.2. The Swan Fund is administered by the Presbytery. Persons seeking grants from this fund may apply annually. Grants are made on an irregular schedule and are made based on funds available. The Presbytery will receive special offerings at services of installation and ordination for the Swan Fund.

13.3.5.3. The Omaha Seminary Foundation offers several types of support to persons seeking ordination as ministers of the Word and Sacrament and to lay persons seeking theological education to become commissioned ruling elders/Commissioned Lay pastors. In addition to scholarships, loans are
available that will be forgiven if the recipient engages in ministry within The Synod of Lakes and Prairies or the state of Missouri.