The Congregational or Organizational Call for Ordination or License
Policy Section 1050
The call for ordination or license arises out of a need for setting aside for and commissioning to a certain ministry in the context of a congregation, institution, or agency. In the experience of CMC, this has occurred most frequently because of the need for a pastor or associate pastor in a congregation. Other occasions of ordination and licensure have included RMM missionaries, RBC faculty, chaplaincy, and evangelistic ministries.
In the case of the congregation, the need shall be discerned by the congregation under the leadership of the designated leaders. This includes the overseer or bishop in charge and the body responsible for the primary leadership of the congregation, whether a pastoral team or a board of elders. In the case of a local search committee being formed, it shall include the overseer. If the congregation does not have an overseer, the search committee shall include a CMC minister who meets the qualifications of an overseer. The CMC general secretary or any member of the Executive Board may be consulted for counsel or as a resource for nominations of CMC ministers to serve on the search committee.
Calling someone to the ordained or licensed ministry in the congregation involves both the congregation and its leadership. The congregation shall be prepared for the task through a time of prayer, fasting, and a series of messages with teaching on the work of the ministry and the New Testament qualifications of the minister. This should be seen as preparation for and a step in the process of determining the Lord's guidance. This process shall be led by a CMC minister with the qualifications of an overseer. The involvement of both leaders and congregation, with final congregational approval before implementation, is important in the process of choosing candidates for ordination or license, whatever the method of selection.