The General Assembly direct that all Applications from Ministers or Probationers of other churches seeking admission to the ministry of the Free Church of Scotland shall be processed by the Board of Ministry observing the following directives:
2.1 The Board of Ministry shall publish and regularly update a Minister or Probationer’s Application Form. The Form shall consist of Part A for the use of the minister or probationer and Part B to be completed by the Presbytery or committee of Presbytery through whom the applicant is making application. The Presbytery shall oversee the initial stages of the application process. To comply with civil legislation, the form shall include information on the immigration and nationality of the applicant. The form shall gather information on their previous education and experience, their previous experience or work and ministry, their understanding of the gospel and theological views, their vision for ministry including their wholehearted commitment to the authority of scripture and the doctrines of the Reformed faith, together their reasons for wishing to leave their previous church and enter the ministry of the Free Church. The application must be supported by suitable references. This will normally include certification of their credentials and good standing within their past denomination. The candidate must declare their compliance with PVG legislation.
2.2 The Board shall agree to interview the applicant, and come to a decision on the application if: (1) the Presbytery supports the application and is satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person to hold a ministerial charge in the Free Church of Scotland; (2) the applicant commits to complete the Presbyterian Church Ministry module provided by ETS within a timescale agreed by the Board of Ministry and (3) the Applicant gives an unqualified and satisfactory response to the Questions put to licentiates, and is willing to sign the Formula.
2.3 The Board shall have the right to require an additional appraisal of the candidate including an assessment day or conference if deemed appropriate. The Board are authorised to require medical information if they regard this as necessary to ensure that a candidate is able to carry out the duties of a minister or to ensure that adequate support and provision is made in each case. The Board may require some applicants to undertake further theological studies. In coming to a view on the application the Board shall properly assess the candidate’s reputation and history of service in the church of Jesus Christ along with their gifts and character.
2.4 Where the Board is satisfied with the applicant and approve the application they shall process the application through the General Assembly or the Commission of Assembly in terms of the following protocol:
2.4.1 The Board of Ministry shall give sufficient prior notification to Presbyteries of all applications from ministers of other churches being reported to the General Assembly or its Commission.
2.4.2 The relevant Presbytery and the Board of Ministry are responsible to process the whole application with due diligence on behalf of the denomination. For reasons of confidentiality nothing more than the name of the applicant, the Presbytery they are applying through, and the date when their application will be disposed of, is required by way of notification to other Presbyteries.
2.4.3 To assist all parties the following deadline shall apply to all applications. (1) Papers relating to an application must be in the hands of the Board of Ministry not less than eight weeks prior to the meeting of the General Assembly or its Commission at which the application is scheduled to finally be disposed of; (2) The Board shall give notice of the application to all Presbyteries, on receipt of the application from the submitting Presbytery, informing Presbyteries of the applicant’s name and denominational affiliation. If the above conditions are not met, the application will await the next available Commission or General Assembly. (3) The Presbytery shall communicate any concerns or objections to the supporting Presbytery and to the Board within four weeks of receiving notification.
2.4.4 The full application papers need not be made available to the Assembly or its Commission in instances where the responsible Presbytery and the Board of Ministry has no hesitation in recommending that the application be received. A précis setting out the main aspects of the application shall be sufficient in such cases. In cases where dissent had been recorded, or reservations have been expressed, by either the Presbytery or the Board of Ministry, the full application shall come before the Assembly or its Commission.
2.5 In cases where it is clear that the applicant – either because of his age or particular circumstances – is neither interested in, nor able to take up a charge in the Free Church, then the decision to require a medical certificate or to interview the applicant shall be at the discretion of the Board.
2.6 The Board of Ministry shall not approve an application unless they are satisfied that the minister or probationer possesses educational qualifications and professional training comparable to those required of applicants for Licence by the Free Church of Scotland unless appropriate steps are taken to correct any deficiency. The Board shall ascertain that the minister is fully committed to maintaining the peace and unity of this Church and does not hold opinions or follow practices likely to be divisive.
2.7 The General Assembly directs the Board of Ministry that applicants for ministry in the Free Church from other denominations shall normally study the Free Church Ministry Module. The Board shall ensure that the minister or probationer has such knowledge of the Practice of the Free Church of Scotland as to render him a competent person to act as Moderator of a Kirk Session and to assume the responsibilities which normally fall upon Free Church ministers in the courts of the Church. The Board may also set suitable guided reading or require essays on aspects of Free Church history and theology or other relevant subjects, as they shall see cause. The Board may in certain circumstances require the completion of a placement under the supervision of an experienced minister of the Church.
2.8 The General Assembly declare that only the General Assembly or its Commission of Assembly shall admit ministers from other churches. The General Assembly authorise all future meetings of the Commission of Assembly to receive and dispose of all such applications as a matter of routine.
2.9 The General Assembly declare that the foregoing provisions contain all the legislation of the Church relating to Applications from Ministers or Probationers of other churches seeking admission to the ministry of the Free Church of Scotland and accordingly repeal Act XXXV, 2005; Act XXXIV, 2013; and Act XXXIII, 2014.