Number 23 of Class 2
The General Assembly, seeking to revise and update arrangements and procedures regarding the application process to become a Candidate for Free Church Ministry and oversight and support of such Candidates before they are licensed to preach the gospel, enact and ordains as follows:
The General Assembly note that the biblical qualifications for pastors and teachers do not focus entirely, or even primarily, on their academic achievements, natural gifting or theological knowledge (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-3).
They declare that the Free Church of Scotland seeks to identify and train faithful, reliable and humble men of God, motivated only by love for Christ and his people, who are called by God into a life of service.
SECTION A – Pre-Application
1.Prior to an applicant completing the online application form, intending applicants should hold informal conversations with their Minister and Kirk Session and be given opportunities to test their teaching gifts within a local church. If candidacy looks likely, the Kirk Session should inform the Presbytery.
2.The Presbytery will then inform the Board of Ministry, who may then appoint a training mentor, in consultation with the Presbytery, and assist in training and developing the candidate’s gifts.
3.The Board of Ministry will issue guidance to assist congregations and Presbyteries in the pre-application stage.
SECTION B – Application Process
1.In order to apply to be a Candidate for the Free Church Ministry the applicant must be:
1.1.Male.
1.2.Over the age of twenty-one.
1.3. Have been a Communicant Member of a Free Church congregation for a minimum of six months prior to interview date with the Board of Ministry or have, within the last ten years, been a member of a Free Church congregation for a minimum of two years. In certain circumstances this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Board of Ministry.
1.4.Have not applied as a candidate for ministry in the Free Church within the previous two years.
2.All Applicants shall complete the online (hyperlink) Application Form produced by the Board of Ministry.
2.1.The link to the online application form is available on the Free Church website but may be shared by the minister or Session Clerk.
2.2.Applications may be received by the Kirk Session at any time of year but it should be noted that the annual
Assessment Day for candidates is in March each year. In order to be present at that event, completed forms should be submitted online by December 31st of the preceding year.
2.3.In order to begin studies at Edinburgh Theological Seminary in September the Application Form must be
processed by the Kirk Session by the end of January of the same year.
3.Upon receipt of an Application Form, the Kirk Session shall discuss the suitability of the Applicant for the role of Minister.
3.1.The Kirk Session will interview the Applicant as soon as possible after receipt of the Application Form from the Board.
3.2.If the Applicant is married, the Applicant and his wife will also meet with the Minister and his wife (or if the Minister is unmarried by the Minister and another married couple) to assess whether the Applicant’s wife is supportive of his candidacy. The Board will provide a list of questions for discussion. Feedback of the discussion will be given to the Kirk Session and taken into consideration when they are making their assessment of the candidate.
3.3. The Kirk Session shall meet without the Applicant to come to a decision on whether his Application will progress to the next stage.
3.4.The Kirk Session shall inform the Applicant of their decision within seven days of the meeting.
4.Where an Application proceeds to the next stage the Kirk Session shall inform their Presbytery within seven days of their decision and complete the online record of the interview for the Board.
4.1.The Presbytery Clerk will be given a copy of the online Application Form along with other papers by the Board.
4.2.The Presbytery Clerk should send notice of the Application to all members of Presbytery taking care to secure the confidentiality of personal information.
4.3.Presbytery and Kirk Session Representatives should listen to sermon recordings of the Applicant prior to interview.
5. The Presbytery shall appoint a date to interview the Applicant and may appoint a Committee to carry out this
stage of the process.
5.1.At the end of this interview, the Presbytery shall come to a view on whether the application should progress to the next stage of the process. The Presbytery will then complete the online report of their interview process within 14 days of the interview.
5.2.The Interview can be conducted by the Personnel Committee of the Presbytery, or other similar committee, where this role has been delegated to them by the Presbytery.
5.3.At least two members of the relevant Kirk Session must be present at the interview.
5.4. The Board of Ministry shall provide all Presbyteries with appropriate interview questions and guidance. These are contained in the notice of Application Form issued by the Board.
6.At its Ordinary Meeting, the Presbytery shall take up consideration of the Applicant and the Application Form. It shall be moved, seconded and agreed that the Applicant can proceed to the next stage of the process if the Presbytery decide the Applicant is suitable.
6.1.The Presbytery will receive the report of the interview committee with their recommendations.
6.2. The Applicant shall appear before the whole Presbytery, and any further questions can be put to him by any
member of the Presbytery.
6.3.The Applicant will be asked to leave the room, and the Presbytery will then decide on whether his Application will be approved and recommended for consideration by the Board of Ministry.
6.4.The Presbytery shall come to a decision on the approval of the application by way of a suitable motion recording their approval of the Application.
6.5.The Presbytery shall inform the Applicant of progress with his application no later than seven days after the
decision is taken.
7.The Presbytery must inform the Board of Ministry of any successful applications within seven days of approving an application, by completing the relevant online report.
8.The Applicant will be required to attend an Assessment Day.
8.1.Assessment Days shall be organised by the Board of Ministry.
8.2.The Board of Ministry, and several others appointed by them, will assess Applicants’ suitability for Ministry
8.3.At least one female assessor shall be present at each Assessment Day.
8.4.Assessment Days will take place as required.
8.5.The Board of Ministry or Representatives of the Board will conduct an interview with the Applicant during or shortly after the Assessment Day.
9.After the Assessment Day and Interview, a Report will come to the Board of Ministry.
9.1.The Board of Ministry shall come to a decision on whether the Applicant is a suitable Candidate for Free Church Ministry. They shall also assess his training requirements in the context of becoming a suitable person to be licensed for Ministry.
9.2.The Board of Ministry shall inform the Applicant of their decision regarding his candidacy within seven days of the next Board meeting. This must be in writing.
9.3. If the Applicant is accepted as a Candidate for the ministry, the Board of Ministry must inform the Applicant and the Presbytery of their decision regarding the training requirements within twenty-one days. This must be in writing.
10.When an Applicant is married then due consideration for his wife and family must be taken at every stage of the Application Process
10.1.The Board of Ministry has ensured that the Application Form includes a section for wives to complete.
10.2. Wives should also attend the Assessment Day, where possible.
SECTION C – Application Form
The Board of Ministry hold the responsibility for creating an Application Form and providing interview questions for Presbyteries.
1.The Board of Ministry has created an online Application Form to be used for Applicants for Free Church Ministry.
1.1.The General Assembly reserves the right to review the Application Form and any Regulations related to the
Application Form.
1.2.The content of the Application form must comply with civil legislation.
1.3.The Application Form shall be reviewed by the Board of Ministry on a yearly basis.
2.The Board of Ministry shall create an Application Information Sheet to be released with the Application Form.
2.1.The Application Information Sheet will detail how to complete the Application Form and provide information on the process to become a Candidate for Free Church Ministry.
3.The Board of Ministry has created interview questions to be used by Presbytery during the Application process, these include questions regarding sensitive information. These are provided to the Presbytery as part of the notice from the Board that an application has been received.
3.2 The General Assembly reserves the right to review the interview questions and any Regulations related to the interview questions.
3.3The interview questions shall be reviewed by the Board of Ministry on a yearly basis.
4.Retention of Records
4.1.The Board of Ministry is responsible for storing all information gathered during the Application Process in a manner that complies with civil law.
SECTION D – Decisions on Route to Ministry
Upon offering Candidacy to an Applicant, the Board of Ministry shall devise a study plan for each candidate. The Board of Ministry will arrange this study plan in conjunction with Edinburgh Theological Seminary.
1. All Candidates should complete the full course of study available to Edinburgh Theological Seminary and achieve a pass of the BTh.
2.All Candidates must complete the Presbyterian Church Ministry Module and attend Preaching Seminars as
required by the Board of Ministry before being licensed.
3.Exceptions to the requirement for all candidates to complete the full BTh can be made in particular circumstances:
3.1.When the Candidate has already completed theological studies, he will normally be required to undertake courses at ETS as instructed by the Board of Ministry.
3.2. Members of the Board, including those who are ETS staff members, will examine the equivalence of the
candidates’ prior education and determine the provision that needs to be made to reach equivalence to that normally provided at ETS. ETS members will report to the Board with recommendations as to what courses at ETS should be taken (and passed) prior to being eligible for licensing. Particular consideration should be given to the following areas:
3.2.1.The academic level of the prior theological education.
3.2.2.Whether the Applicant’s prior theological education was at a Reformed Seminary committed to the Westminster Confession of Faith.
3.2.3.Whether the Applicant’s prior theological education included courses on Systematic Theology, Biblical Studies(Old and New Testament), Church History (including Scottish Church History), Practical Theology. (The Board of Ministry can, in exceptional circumstances, waive the requirement to study the Biblical languages.).
3.2.4.Whether the Applicant’s performance in assessments in their prior theological education displays a suitable level of attainment.
3.3.The Board will identify both the number of courses to be studied, and the period taken to complete these. Adequate time must be set out to allow Applicants time to prepare adequately for all aspects of Free Church Ministry, to become known to the Church more widely, to fulfil their required local church training and placement(s), and to gain supplementary training in academic and practical areas of ministry preparation.
4. The Board of Ministry shall publish a Candidate Information Guide in conjunction with ETS each academic year. This shall be distributed by the Board of Ministry to all Candidates at the beginning of each academic year.
SECTION E – Scripture Engagement Programme
1.Scripture Engagement Coordinator. The Board of Ministry will appoint a Scripture Engagement Coordinator
who will be responsible for the following programme of assessment.
2.Outcomes. The Programme will be aimed at achieving the following four outcomes:
2.1.Character: The Programme seeks to promote regular reading and meditation on Scripture to grow in godliness.
2.2.Conviction: The Programme seeks to build knowledge of the whole counsel of God revealed in Scripture in order to cultivate a biblical worldview.
2.3.Competence: The Programme seeks to help foster skills in understanding and handling Scripture.
2.4.Cooperation: The Programme seeks to encourage sharing and discussing God’s word with others.
3.Guidelines. The Board will produce guidelines for the programme, which will be shared with candidates each
academic year. Adherence and assessment in line with these guidelines will be overseen by the Scripture Engagement Coordinator.
SECTION F – Support for Free Church Ministry Candidates
Free Church Candidates have a responsibility to live a life above reproach, suitable of that of a Minister of the Gospel and must make themselves available for mentoring and accountability.
1.Every Candidate will be provided with a mentor by Presbytery. The mentor will typically be a member of that
Presbytery.
1.1.Mentors shall contact their assigned Candidate at least twice per semester.
1.2.Mentors shall discuss matters of personal and professional development with the Candidate.
1.3. All discussions between Mentor and their assigned Candidate shall take place in strict confidence unless a
safeguarding issue is disclosed, or any matter that may call into question the integrity of the Candidate and their suitability for Ministry.
1.4.The Board of Ministry is responsible for ensuring that Mentors are in place and that Mentors are in contact with their assigned Candidate at least twice per Semester.
2. ETS shall appoint a Director of Studies to each Candidate.
2.1.The Director of Studies shall send a report to Presbytery and the Board of Ministry on the Candidate’s academic progress at the end of each academic year.
2.2.The Director of Studies should also report on any other issues that have arisen over the course of the year.
2.3. If any issues regarding the academic progress of a Candidate emerge during the year, the Director of Studies shall report this to Presbytery and the Board of Ministry as soon as is practicable.
3.The Board of Ministry reserve the right to hold a meeting with a Candidate at any point.
3.1.The Board of Ministry can use such meetings to discuss any matter regarding the progress of the Candidate.
3.2.The Candidate may bring a friend or their Mentor to any of these meetings (such a friend should be a communicant member in the Free Church or another Christian church).
3.3.The Board of Ministry shall bring any concerns regarding a Candidate to the Presbytery as soon as is practicable.
3.4.At the end of each academic year the Board of Ministry shall report to Presbytery on each Candidate’s progress.
4.The Training Church where the candidate is serving shall send a report to Presbytery and the Board of Ministry the Candidate’s involvement with the local congregation at the end of each academic year.
Details of training undertaken by the candidate will be included in the report.
5.At the end of each academic year, Presbytery shall certify that the Candidate is able to continue in his role.
5.1.They shall review all information received from the Board of Ministry, the local congregation and ETS on the Candidate’s Progress.
5.2.They will interview the Candidate and discuss matters related to his candidacy and continued suitability for
5.3. If any particular issues are raised by a Candidate’s Training Church Supervisor, Presbytery Mentor, Director of Studies or the Board of Ministry these will be discussed with the Candidate.
5.4.In their assessment of the Candidate, the Presbytery shall satisfy themselves as far as possible that the Candidate is a suitable person to sign the Formula.
A Candidate is under the pastoral oversight of the Presbytery of the Congregation in which he is a Communicant Member.
SECTION G – Ending a Candidacy
The General Assembly declare that the provisions for ending a Candidacy in Act 23, Class 2, 2021 anent Journey to Ministry, be revised. They amend the said Act to the extent that the following paragraph is added as new Paragraph 11 of Section F – Ending a Candidacy: ‘If a Candidate wishes to resign, he will write to his Presbytery to submit his resignation. If the Presbytery accepts the resignation, the Presbytery will notify the Board of Ministry. The Board will arrange for an exit interview involving the Candidate, representatives of the Presbytery, and representatives of the Board. If employed by a Training Church, the Candidate will also be required to serve a due notice period in accordance with his contract.’
1.The candidacy shall be kept under review by the Presbytery and the Board of Ministry. This review may, on
occasions, lead to the conclusion that there are potential grounds to end the candidacy.
2.If the ETS Senate has cause for concern about a candidate, they shall report this to the Presbytery and the Board as soon as possible.
3.Prior to the commencement of a formal process of terminating the candidacy, the Presbytery and the Board shall seek to help the Candidate to resolve the problems leading to concerns over their suitability as a candidate for the ministry.
4.Should such efforts fail to resolve the situation, a review committee will be established comprising three members of the Presbytery and three members of the Board of Ministry. The Board’s representatives shall include the Chairman who will also act as Convener of the Review Committee.
5.The Review Committee shall have powers to interview the Candidate, to arrange support for the Candidate, and to recommend to the Presbytery to terminate the candidacy should the concerns raised regarding the candidacy be confirmed.
6.The candidate shall be given every opportunity to find a resolution of the problem.
6.1.The Committee shall consult with the ETS Senate and receive a report from them on the Candidate’s progress, character and suitability as a candidate for the ministry.
6.2.The Committee shall consult with the Minister of the candidate’s training Church, where he is on a Minister-in Training programme.
6.3.The Committee shall consult with the Board and receive a report from them on their oversight and examination of the Candidate.
6.4. The Review Committee shall consider the candidacy and the problems that have arisen, taking cognisance of the Senate’s report, the Board’s report, and the record of the Presbytery’s previous deliberations on the matter, before proceeding to interview the Candidate.
6.5. The Candidate shall be invited to appear before the Review Committee, accompanied by a friend or his mentor, to address the concerns that have been raised and to seek a solution. The process may require more than one meeting with the Candidate before a final recommendation is made.
6.6. The Candidate shall leave the room before the Committee considers the details of the interview and come to a recommendation on the matter.
Should the Review Committee find that the potential grounds for terminating the candidacy have been confirmed by the review process, they shall report to the Presbytery and the Board accordingly, with their conclusions and recommendations. The Committee shall also inform the candidate of their conclusions and recommendations.
7.The Presbytery will meet to reach a final decision on the Committee’s recommendation.
7.1.The Candidate and a representative of the Board of Ministry will have a right to address the Presbytery before the Presbytery reaches its decision.
7.2.The Candidate shall leave the room before the Presbytery considers the details of the recommendation on the matter.
7.3.The Candidate and the Board of Ministry will be informed of the final decision in writing within 7 days
7.4.The Presbytery in consultation with the Board will ensure that suitable pastoral support is made available to the Candidate.
8.Any decision made by the Presbytery regarding ongoing candidacy can be appealed by the Candidate to the
General Assembly or one of its Commissions within 10 days of receiving the written decision.
9.The Chairman of the Board of Ministry will also have a right to appeal the decision of the Presbytery to the
General Assembly or one of its Commissions, within 10 days of receiving the written decision, where the proper procedure has not been followed or relevant information has been disregarded by the Presbytery.
10. If a Candidate wishes to resign, he will write to his Presbytery to submit his resignation. If the Presbytery accepts the resignation, the Presbytery will notify the Board of Ministry. The Board will arrange for an exit interview involving the Candidate, representatives of the Presbytery, and representatives of the Board. If employed by a Training Church, the Candidate will also be required to serve a due notice period in accordance with his contract.
SECTION H – Repeals
The General Assembly repeal the following Acts: Section 1 of Act 19, Class 2, 2016; Act 38, Class 2, 2015; Act 48, Class 2, 2012; Act 37, Class 2, 2012; Act 38, Class 2, 2015.