Ministerial Preparation for Ordination & Standing
Preparing Tomorrow’s Pastors
Ordination is more than paperwork. It is a shared process of discernment, preparation, accountability, and pastoral support.
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Is someone in your congregation preparing for ordained ministry?
Is there someone in your congregation who is planning to go into the ordained ministry? If so, there are steps he or she will need to fulfill in order to prepare for ordination to the Christian ministry.
Getting ordained nowadays is a lot more complicated than it used to be.
As a pastor, you have a shepherding role to play in this process; the church, the candidate and TABCOM also have responsibilities to fulfill. The forms below have been prepared to help you understand the current requirements, so that you may provide pastoral support and guidance.
Together, we can help tomorrow’s pastors prepare to minister effectively to God’s people in a changing world.
The forms below have been prepared to help you understand the current requirements, so that you may provide pastoral support and guidance.
Three Paths
Which path applies?
The current page organizes forms around three paths: Ministerial Preparation, School of Ministry, and Standing.
Ministerial Preparation
For candidates preparing for ordination through the traditional ministerial preparation process.
School of Ministry
For candidates using the TABCOM School of Ministry path toward preparation and ordination.
Standing
For ministers seeking standing within TABCOM and American Baptist Churches.
The Journey
From calling to preparation
1
Discernment
A candidate and church begin recognizing a possible call to ordained ministry.
2
Preparation
The candidate completes required forms, study, background checks, and pastoral guidance.
3
Review
TABCOM, church leaders, and ministry committees review requirements and references.
4
Ordination or Standing
The process continues toward ordination, School of Ministry completion, or recognition of standing.
Forms for all 3 paths
The following forms are for all 3 paths: Ministerial Preparation, School of Ministry (SoM), and Standing.
Standing only
These following forms are for Standing ONLY.
Ministerial Prep and School of Ministry only
These following forms are for Ministerial Prep and School of Ministry (SoM) ONLY.
School of Ministry only
These following forms are for School of Ministry (SoM) ONLY.