I. The Offices of the Church

B. The Ministers of the Word

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)