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Commission on
Ministerial Leadership
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Rev . Tim Munson
Chair, COML
REGIONAL STAFF
Rev. Dr. Frank Frischkorn
Regional Executive Pastor
Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith
Regional Pastor for Mission and Communication
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Johnson
Regional Pastor with Congregations
Rev. Dr. Kevin Walden
Regional Pastor with Pastoral Leaders
REGION WEBSITE:
REGION OFFICE:
888-687-0883
The Commission on Ministerial Leadership is made up of Pastors (50%) and Laity (50%) from the associations in the various areas of the region.
The Area Commission Teams are a sub-group of COML. The ACT is made up of the pastor and lay person from your area of the region along with the Regional Executive Pastor and another Regional Pastor. |
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FUN FACTS
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Did you know that there are over 300 congregations in ABCOPAD? Roughly that means 30,000 American Baptists in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Did you know that those 300 congregations are organized into associations - and there are 21 associations in ABCOPAD?
Each Association has a credentials committee who works with the Regional Pastors and COML for issues of recognition of ministry credentials.
ABCOPAD has over 200 people who have been certified as Lay Ministers.
Currently there are about 6 people working on Lay Minister Certification in ABCOPAD.
Currently about a dozen people are working on the NON-STANDARD Ordination process and completing work for their ACT - Area Commission Team.
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WHO IS IN CHARGE OF MY PROCESS??
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You are in charge of your work to follow the process that has been determined for you.
Do Not expect anyone else to make sure that you are following the right process.
A wise person works to over communicate to make sure that they are doing everything that is needed to complete the work that has been assigned to them.
WHAT IF I THINK MY PROCESS HAS STALLED????
Talk to a Regional Pastor if you believe your process has stalled. They can coach you and direct you to the right person to get on track again.
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A Scripture To Consider
1 Timothy 4:11-12 (NIV)
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Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
SPEECH
YOUR WORDS
CONDUCT
YOUR ACTIONS
LOVE
YOUR DESIRES
FAITH
YOUR BELIEFS
PURITY
YOUR PERSONAL HOLINESS
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Dear Friend and Partner in Ministry,
COML - The Commission on Ministerial Leadership for the region (ABCOPAD) is the group responsible for credentialing activities. You are receiving this email because you are in one of the processes overseen by COML. - Maybe you have completed the Academy of Christian Training and Service and are working through the Lay Minister Certification processes - either Provisional or Permanent Certification.
- Maybe you have completed some theological training and have met with an Area Commission Team (ACT) - a subgroup of COML.
- Maybe you are an association leader in one of ABCOPAD's 21 associations. We want to encourage you as you work with those working on credentialing.
Whatever the case, we want you to know that we care about you, and want to do whatever is needed to assist you in accomplishing the goals necessary to complete the call that the Lord has put upon your life.
We will be sending out these emails once a quarter to encourage you in your process.
Truly, yours in Christ,
Kevin
Rev. Dr. Kevin Walden Regional Pastor with Pastoral Leaders for the ABCOPAD Regional Pastors and COML
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Association Credential Committee Leaders
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It will help the Regional Pastors if you will coordinate all of your appointments with Lay Ministers and those going through the ordination process with their calendars.
The Regional Pastors have complicated schedules, so if they can be included on all email exchanges, it really does help a great deal. If you have any concerns, feel free to call the regional office and talk to Denise or call one of the Regional Pastors for assistance.
The Regional Pastors are charged with assisting associations with the policies and procedures of COML.
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Lay Ministers working on the Provisional Certification Process
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Those graduating from ACTS - our regional Academy of Christian Training and Service, should make sure that prior to working with their association credentialing committee they have:
- completed all coursework
- paid outstanding bills with ACTS
- have a graduation certificate in hand
Then you begin to work with the association credentials committee on writing and perfecting your Lay Minister Certification Paper. (Same topics as the ordination paper.)
If there are any concerns, by meeting with your Association Credentials Committee early, you will be avoiding problems with your certification credential, which EXPIRES at the 3 year mark.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: You are responsible for keeping the Association Credentials committee and the regional pastors up to date with your process. Do NOT wait for them to remind you where you are in the process. Attempts at over communication are wise.
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Lay Ministers working on Permanent Certification
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For those working on Permanent Certification. It is important that you work closely with your Association credentials committee. You have three years to complete that process. HOWEVER, at 30 months (2 1/2 yrs) you should have completed the following and arrange for a review with the committee:
- Work with an Association Approved Mentor for 2 years (in ministry)
- Have 6.0 Continuing Education Units from a Pre-Approved Educational institution.
- Complete a successful assessment from the Midwest Career Development Center in Columbus, OH (arranged through Dr. Walden)
SERIOUSLY...
DO I REALLY NEED ANOTHER MENTOR???
The mentoring that occurs in the 3 years between provisional and permanent certification has a couple of logical goals.
1) Candidates going through this process need to attain 6.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). In working with several dozen candidates, a few have run into a problem because they didn't check with their credentials committee ahead of taking a course and therefore, the course or training that they took didn't count toward the 6.0 CEUs. Having a mentor from the credentials committee gives the candidate and extra discernment as they consider which courses to take.
2) The credentials committee mentor also becomes a sounding board after the courses to help the candidate discern the impact of the course on ministry.
3) Lastly this mentor is a help for you to make sure you are staying on your timeline - you are in the driver's seat with this process, but they are a help. All of your CEUs should be in place by the middle of your second year of provisional certification.
When you have most of your CEUs accomplished, and have about a year left, that's when you need to work with Dr. Walden to plan a trip to the Midwest Career Development Center in Columbus. The committee typically recommends this during the start of year 2 - assuming you have most of your CEUs. But, here is the caution, the provisional certification expires at the 3 year mark. So, you really do need to work closely with your credentials committee - especially the chairman.
YOUR PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE
EXPIRES in 3 years!
If there are any concerns, by meeting with your Association Credentials Committee early, you will be avoiding problems with your certification credential, which EXPIRES at the 3 year mark. The permanent certification does not expire.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: You are responsible for keeping the Association Credentials committee and the regional pastors up to date with your process. Do NOT wait for them to remind you where you are in the process. Attempts at over communication are wise.
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The Non-Standard Ordination Process
Working with the Area Commission Team (ACT)
|  For those working with an ACT, you will need to follow your Assessing Areas of Competency Chart that the ACT worked out with you. You work at your own pace. You need to make sure that you stay on top of YOUR PROCESS.
The assignments are not in order. It is wise to choose an assignment that you are interested in and passionate about to accomplish and turn in first. Your assignment will then be shared with your whole ACT, and when they approve it, you will have completed that portion of the requirement. Sometimes, the ACT will ask you to do extra work if they believe your knowledge and experience in a given area will benefit you and your understanding.
Turn in your assignments to the Regional Pastor who is coordinating your ACT. DO NOT turn in ALL of your assignments at once. Turn in assignments ONE at a time. Complete on area of competency and then move onto the next. This is so that you will see and experience success in the process.
NOTE ABOUT PAPERS: (Suggested Guidelines are available through contacting Dr. Walden)
- It is helpful if you provide a cover sheet for your papers
- Your paper(s) should be double-spaced, 1 inch margins.
- When reflecting on a book include:
- An introductory paragraph
- A brief overview of the main point of the book and how it relates to the area upon which you are writing.
- Write on 4-6 main sub-topics in the book and what you learned about each of those and how they relate.
- Write on 2-3 take away applications that you plan to implement in your life and/or ministry
- Give a summary of how this reading has impacted (added to) your thoughts about this area.
- You should use in-text citations or footnotes when quoting.
- Find a friend who is willing to be an editor for you. Have them read your paper before turning it in.
- Submit papers digitally.
Always contact the Regional Pastor who is overseeing your process if you have any questions. We are here to help you. We want you to finish, and finish well.
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