Brother Bill,

I particularly like point #2 in the OP.

Our denomination already has such a program in place. It's called Christ Theological Seminary. The faculty are the teaching elders within the RPCUS and each Session has oversight of the men from their particular congregation. Our congregation alone has 3 men pursuing the ministry under this model.

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~James Helbert~, Wytheville, VA
Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCUS
TheBibleAlone.com / The Edinburgh Inn
"Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” - Zechariah 3:2