Candidates & Credentials Committee

• This committee manages all matters related to the credentials of men in training within or transferring into the presbytery.

• Responsibilities include the oversight of candidates, licentiates, and interns, as well as managing ordinations, exams, credential transfers, installation services, and professional development.

• Prior to any candidate coming before the presbytery, the committee is responsible for obtaining and securely reviewing a recent background check.

GETTING STARTED AT HERITAGE

Obviously all requirement are according to the Book of Church Order. Download and study up if you don't know where to start.

A note to pastors concerning men under your care who are starting this process:  Please assign a mentor to the candidate from your church, and if it is deemed helpful by the committee you will be engaged throughout the process as well. This is a critically important time for the candidate, and our hope as a Presbytery is to truly care for each man as he goes through these trials. 

FAQ'S

What is the typical exam timeline for becoming licensed?

All timing is backed out from the Presbytery meeting during which a candidate hopes to stand for orals on the floor of Presbytery. This timeline assumes a man will have preached by or before the Presbytery date on which he stands and all other items are complete by that date (i.e. internship, etc.):

• Written exams are due 5-6 weeks beforehand. Exams will be sent by the Committee Chair to the Proctor at the request of the Candidate or Proctor. 

• Written exams are typically returned 3-4 weeks beforehand.

• Committee orals are typically scheduled 2-3 weeks beforehand. After the committee orals are complete, men will know if they passed or failed on that same day.

What is the typical exam and papers timeline for becoming ordained?

All timing is backed out from the Presbytery meeting during which a candidate hopes to stand for orals on the floor of Presbytery. This timeline assumes a man will have preached by or before the Presbytery date on which he stands and all other items are complete and a written call is submitted to the Clerk of Presbytery before that Presbytery meeting. 

• Theology paper, NT and OT exegesis papers, and all written exams are due 5-7 weeks beforehand. Exams will be sent by the Committee Chair to the Proctor at the request of the Candidate or Proctor. 

• Paper feedback (which could include request for further revisions) is typically returned 4-5 weeks beforehand. All papers must be "passing" before a candidate can sit for oral exams before the committee.

• Written exams are typically returned 3-4 weeks beforehand.

• Committee orals are typically scheduled 2-3 weeks beforehand. After the committee orals are complete, men will know if they passed or failed on that same day. 

Are there study guides to help me prepare well?

Yes. After a candidate comes under care of Heritage Presbytery, they will be contacted by the chair of the committee and be sent study guides for either the licensure or ordination exams.

I didn't get a standard three-year seminary MDiv?  What should I do?

Please review this document by former Stated Clerk of the PCA, Roy Taylor, which addresses the Uniform Curriculum Requirement of the PCA. Then talk to the committee chair for further clarification.

I completed an internship in another Presbytery. Will that count in Heritage?

Typically speaking, yes, we seek to honor the internships done in other Presbyteries of the PCA rather than asking candidates to re-do the work. However, each decision is made per candidate. You will be required to have your past Clerk email confirmation of the completed internship to the Chair and also to provide documentation of what you did as an intern. It is possible you will be asked to supplement items if the committee feels that is necessary.