CANDIDACY
(COMING UNDER CARE OF PRESBYTERY)

Every man seeking ordination for ministry in the Presbyterian Church in America must be a member of some PCA church, for at least six months (minimum), prior to candidacy. This PCA church should know him well enough to honestly complete the Sessional endorsement to presbytery for candidacy.
The candidate must have completed the following documents for candidacy status:

1. General Candidacy Application
2. Session Recommendation Form
3. Four (4) Completed Reference Forms
4. A copy of college and seminary transcripts
5. A recent photograph (digital preferred)
6. Review of the Spiritual Inventory
7. A letter of transfer from your current presbytery if you are requesting transfer of your candidacy to Great Lakes Presbytery.
8. Documentation from current home presbytery approving retention of the candidate’s membership in his home church (per BCO 18-7) if requested
9. Documentation from current home presbytery approving the candidate’s internship and complete copies of all documentation pertaining to the internship if the candidate requests GLP to approve such internship.

Ordinarily this presbytery should be the one in which his endorsing church is a member. In other words, a man usually comes under care of the presbytery of his home church or church holding his full membership. The PCA's Book of Church Order explains the process in greater detail.  Go here to find BCO 18. Please pay particular attention to the bolded portions, as they bear directly on your application.

You may find a listing of the various forms required for Candidacy HERE.

YOU MUST:

• Submit all paperwork by date in Schedule of Deadlines.
• If you are transferring your candidacy from another presbytery, you must write a letter to the chairman of the appropriate committee in that presbytery requesting to be transferred to GLP.
• All applicants are required to appear before the Committee preceding the meeting of Presbytery, and then again before the Presbytery to be examined on experiential religion (personal testimony of conversion and lifestyle) and motives for seeking the ministry. You should contact the Chairman of the Committee for notification of exact dates, times and locations of committee meetings and examinations.

The Credentials Committee is responsible to seek to help and guide candidates in their preparation for the ministry. To do so, we expect each candidate to report regularly.

• You must submit a Semi-Annual Report for Candidate in June and December of each year, stating the progress you have seen in your spiritual growth, the status of your education and preparation, ministries in which you have been involved, plans and/or desires you have for Internship, and ways that you would like Presbytery to assist you. 
• You must submit in June of each year an Annual Seminary Report.

Terms:

Candidates will be maintained on the roll of Presbytery only as long as they remain active in reporting to presbytery. Failure to report as scheduled will result in dismissal.