A. Eligibility for Call by Way of Article 7
1. If anyone wishes to be admitted to the ministry of the Word in
accordance with Article 7, the procedure described in “The
Journey to Ministry: Article 7” available from the Candidacy
Committee and online at www.crcna.org/candidacy must be carefully
followed. The home classis of the applicant will examine the
candidate in the presence of synodical deputies when a favorable
recommendation from the Candidacy Committee has been received. In
addition to meeting the high standards of Church Order Article 7,
a person who seeks to be ordained as a minister of the Word by
way of Article 7 must also do so in the context of a particular
congregation’s desire and commitment to call that person to serve
as minister of the Word.
2. The classical exam for an Article 7 applicant shall include
the following subjects:
a. Exegesis of the Old and New Testaments
b. Bible History
c. Dogmatics
d. General and American Church History
3. If the examination is favorable, the applicant shall be
declared eligible for a call.
4. When the candidate receives and accepts a call, a
pre-ordination exam shall be administered, in the presence of
synodical deputies, by the home classis of the calling church.
This exam shall be in accordance with existing regulations,
excepting the ancient languages.
(Agenda 1920, pp. 26-27; Acts of Synod 1922,
pp. 72-73)
(Amended Acts of Synod 1996, p. 581)
B. Declarations re Admittance by Way of Article 7
The Candidacy Committee, in determining the suitability of an
applicant for ordination by way of Article 7, shall be guided by
the following criteria:
1. The “gifts” mentioned in Article 7 should be possessed by an
applicant in a very exceptional measure. No one should be
considered unless the applicant has extraordinary qualities.
2. Not only the quali cations mentioned in Article 7 should be
considered but such an applicant should also possess exceptional
knowledge of the Word, knowledge of spiritual needs, and native
ability to apply the Word.
3. This article should never be used as a means to ordain lay
workers who may desire such, and whose prestige would be
increased by such action. The churches are reminded that the
regular door to the ministry is a thorough academic training.
This must be maintained in theory and practice.
(Adapted from the Acts of Synod 1947, p. 94)
C. Special Advice for Classis Red Mesa
1. That the following be the method by which the ordination of
native workers is to be effected:
a. That capable persons, who feel the call to the gospel
ministry, be encouraged to pursue the regular course of study for
ordination.
b. That those who are not able to pursue that course, and who
possess exceptional gifts, be advised to seek ordination under
the pattern prescribed by Article 7 of the Church Order, and make
known their desire to their council, the classis, and the
Candidacy Committee.
2. For those seeking ordination by way of Article 7 of the Church
Order, the following procedure is recommended:
a. The written credentials of the council and the Classis
Ministerial Leadership Team concerning the required quali cations
stated in Article 7 are to be forwarded to the Candidacy
Committee.
b. Upon receipt of application, together with the recommendation
of the council and the Classis Ministerial Leadership Team, the
Candidacy Committee shall determine whether it considers the
applicant eligible for further consideration to become ordained
under Article 7.
c. If the preliminary judgment is favorable, the Candidacy
Committee is authorized to issue the applicant a preaching
license so that the applicant can preach at several of the
churches in the classis.
d. All other procedures of the Candidacy Committee (as approved
by Synod 2006) shall apply.
e. The examination for ordination follows later according to
existing rules, except in the classical languages.
(Adapted from Acts of Synod 1958, pp. 87-88)
(Acts of Synod 2006, p. 663)