1. Persons wishing to become candidates for Commissioned Lay Pastor (CLP) shall fill out an application form obtainable from the Presbytery office. The application shall carry the endorsement of the pastor or of the session of the church to which they belong.
2. Persons wishing to become candidates for Commissioned Lay Pastors shall write to the Committee on Preparation for Ministry stating their wish to be considered for this form of service and requesting to appear before the Committee. If the request is approved, individuals shall be interviewed by the Committee on Preparation for Ministry concerning faith, sense of call to this ministry, church involvement, and understanding of Reformed beliefs and Presbyterian worship and polity. After a successful interview, the candidate would enter the process of becoming a CLP in accordance with the Book of Order (G-14.0801).
3. Commissioned Lay Pastors shall be ordained elders who are active members of a PC (USA) church.
4. Those approved by the Committee on Preparation for Ministry will pursue a course of study which shall include those areas listed in G-14.0801. Training shall be conducted by the Committee on Preparation for Ministry.
5. When the Committee on Preparation for Ministry determines that the candidate has successfully completed preparation, that person shall be examined by the Committee on Preparation for Ministry as to personal faith, motives for seeking the commission and the areas of instruction in G-14.0801. They will be required to conduct a short worship service consisting of a Call to Worship, Scripture Reading, 10-12 minute sermon, and pastoral prayer.
6. Committee on Preparation for Ministry shall then recommend to Presbytery that the candidate be commissioned.
7. Those serving as Commissioned Lay Pastors shall be engaged in a program of continuing education and shall be in relationship with a mentor approved by this Presbytery.
8. The commission shall be valid for a period up to three years as determined by the Presbytery. It may be renewed at expiration or terminated at any time at the discretion of the Presbytery. Presbytery shall regularly provide resources for the person's spiritual and intellectual development. There shall be an annual report to the Committee on Preparation for Ministry of those serving in this capacity (G-14.0801).
9. The CLP may be authorized by the Committee on Preparation for Ministry to administer the Lord's Supper, perform a Christian service of marriage (in North Dakota) or administer the Sacrament of Baptism.
10. The CLP may not be appointed by Presbytery to moderate a session, although a CLP may be asked by the Presbytery-appointed moderator to moderate meetings of the session with which he/she is working.
11. The CLP must be available to accept an assignment by Presbytery.

Approved January 29, 2005