Commissioned Lay Pastors Program

Commissioned Lay Pastors

In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), commissioned lay pastors (CLP) are ruling elders who have successfully completed a course of study provided by their presbytery, and who have been examined by the Committee on Ministry (COM) and deemed ready to receive a commission.

CLPs serve in a variety of ministry settings, including as pastors in small congregations. Each presbytery determines how a CLP may contribute to the ministry and mission needs of the presbytery, which leads to a great variety in the role of CLPs from presbytery to presbytery.

While there are overarching guidelines from the PC(USA), each presbytery has latitude to determine the course of study needed for training CLPs. Once a CLP receives a commission, their authority—which may include preaching, administering sacraments, moderating session, and/or performing weddings—is typically limited to that particular commission.

Any member of a PC(USA) congregation in the Presbytery of East Tennessee (PET) may apply to the CLP program and, if accepted, engage in the program. However, only ruling elders may receive a commission to serve as a CLP.  Applying does not guarantee admission to the program, and completing all of the coursework does not guarantee that the COM, in examining an individual, will deem that person ready to receive a commission.

The CLP program is a two-year course of study taught by ministers in the PET. Typically, the course begins with orientation in July. Applications are due by June 6, 2023. The program is administered by the CLP Task Force of the COM. For more information or to ask questions, contact Wendy Neff (wendy@presbyteryeasttn.org).