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Commissioned Lay Pastors

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Marcia Myers
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Learn about the history and the evolving role of Commissioned Lay Pastors in the PC(USA)

The ministry of Commissioned Lay Pastors (CLPs) is developed by presbyteries in response to their mission needs. The Office of Vocation and the Department of Constitutional Services have collaborated to prepare a comprehensive overview of the history, functions, and key learnings with respect to the ministry of CLPs.

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Read frequently asked questions and answers about CLPs. 

Learn how Commissioned Lay Pastors are prepared and deployed

More than 130 of our presbyteries have CLP programs, each of them unique. The Office of Vocation and the Committee on Theological Education (C.O.T.E.)have partnered to learn about how Commissioned Lay Pastors are being prepared and deployed for service and to make the research available to the church.

Part I of Study of Commissioned Lay Pastors

Profile of CLPs in the PC(USA)

Part I of the study is a survey of presbyteries about Commissioned Lay Pastors. It has been completed by PC(USA) Research Services and is available here.

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Presbytery Survey About Commissioned Lay Pastors, Appendix A

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Part II of Study on Commissioned Lay Pastors Now Available

Part II of the study, commissioned by the Office of Vocation in partnership with COTE, involves a close look at the variety of Commissioned Lay Pastor education programs offered by presbyteries, seminaries, colleges and others. The second part of the study, produced by the Center for the Study of Theological Education at Auburn Seminary, is available here.

Preparation of Commissioned Lay Pastors

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What is a Commissioned Lay Pastor?

 “A Commissioned Lay Pastor (CLP) is an elder of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who is granted a local commission by the presbytery to lead worship and preach the gospel, watch over the people, and provide for their nurture and service.” Book of Order G-14.0560

CLPs are commissioned by presbyteries that have mission needs that cannot be met by ministers, educators, and others available to the presbytery.

What do Commissioned Lay Pastors do?

That varies a great deal from presbytery to presbytery. Some CLPs serve:

  • clusters of churches as part of ministry teams;
  • as part-time pastors of small churches;
  • in specialized pastoral ministries
  • as pastor to new immigrant populations;
  • as temporary leaders for churches seeking an ordained pastor;
  • new church developments;
  • redeveloping churches.

For other kinds of service such as church school teaching, mission service, and community outreach ministries, a service of commissioning may be used without commissioning the individual as a lay pastor. All Presbyterians are called to service, so it is not necessary to be commissioned or ordained in order to respond to God’s call. (G-5.0102).

How does a person become a Commissioned Lay Pastor?

An interested person:

  • must be a PCUSA elder;
  • contacts the presbytery to learn if the presbytery has a mission need for lay pastors;
  • talks with her/his pastor and session about CLP ministry;
  • applies to the presbytery for acceptance into the program;
  • participates in the training program required by the presbytery;
  • is examined on faith, motives, and knowledge by a presbytery committee;
  • works with the Committee on Ministry and a congregation to establish a ministry relationship;
  • is commissioned by the presbytery;
  • is supervised by a moderator and a mentor.

The Book of Order (G-14.0562.) says that a presbytery may authorize a CLP to:

  • administer the Lord's Supper;
  • administer the Sacrament of Baptism;
  • moderate session under the supervision of the minister moderator;
  • have voice and vote in meetings of presbytery;
  • perform marriages when invited by the session and if allowed by the state.

CLP Education

CLP education shall include Bible, Reformed Theology and Sacraments, Presbyterian Polity, preaching, leading worship, pastoral care, and teaching (G-14.0560). There are many models for CLP education. Some presbyteries have ministers, educators, or seminary or college faculty who teach the CLP courses. Other presbyteries partner with seminaries to offer a joint program in which graduates receive certificates from the seminary. Most of our PC(USA) seminaries offer programs that meet the requirements for CLP education. Creative provisions are made to reach CLP candidates through evening and weekend courses and online education.

Contact the Office for Theological Education to see what is offered by PC(USA) seminaries for CLP education.

Some Presbyterian Colleges also offer CLP courses. Many of the Christian Educator certification courses meet CLP requirements. See the Christian Educators website for a listing of these course offerings.

For Presbytery Committees

This document explains the basics of Commissioned Lay Pastors.

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Middle Governing Body (MGB) Connect

Find models, best practices and policies from presbyteries and synods on Commissioned Lay Pastors. We make no endorsements of these models and practices, but provide them in support of the mission and ministries of middle governing bodies. Please contact the author/governing body listed for further information.

Join the Commissioned Lay Pastor Google Group

If you are a member of a presbytery CLP committee and would like to join the private PC(USA) meeting for exchange of wisdom related to the education and deployment of CLPs, simply send an e-mail to Dosie Powell. Tell her your relation to CLP work, and ask to be added to the CLP meeting.

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