The mission of the Candidates and Credentials Committee is to determine, through a process of written and oral examinations and interviews, if an elder candidate meets the scriptural qualifications for the office of elder and to make recommendations to the presbytery on the disposition of each candidacy. Specifically, the committee’s responsibilities include:
- Approve the elder candidacy of men who have been put forward by a session of a CPC member church.
- Examine candidates in respect to their Christian faith, family life, service, and the motives influencing their desire for church office.
- Oversee each candidacy, which includes advising the candidates on the ordination process, scheduling & conducting examinations, and providing feedback to the candidates.
- Provide feedback to the session on the candidate’s progress, especially in areas of weakness or uncertainty, and provide counsel and assistance to sessions regarding their responsibility for the testing of gifts, discernment of the candidate’s character, or for mentoring the candidate in their theological study and Christian walk.
- Provide recommendations and periodic updates to presbytery on each candidate.