Elders exploring commissioned service
Begin formation while discerning how your gifts and calling may serve a particular ministry.
Formation for elders called to serve.
MVP and Church Commons connect theological learning, spiritual formation, guided practice, and local accountability in a three-stage Commissioned Ruling Elder pathway.
Who may participate
One curriculum, more than one reason to learn.
Participants in an MVP pathway
Complete assigned courses, practices, and requirements under MVP’s oversight.
Pastors and leaders seeking focused growth
Seasoned pastors and other leaders may take relevant 100- or 200-Series courses for renewal, deeper practice, or continuing education without entering the CRE pathway, when the offering permits.
The pathway
Three connected stages of formation.
Generalist Commission Formation
Foundational preparation for elders serving in a defined ministry such as chaplaincy, regional care, worship leadership, preaching, sacramental leadership, moderation, or mission leadership.
Congregational Ministry Formation
Level 1 is required before Level 2. This level adds preparation for elders called to serve one or more congregations, with deeper work in worship, preaching, care, systems, stewardship, mission, and leadership. MVP determines whether prior formation satisfies an equivalent requirement.
Ongoing Formation and Continuing Education
Continued learning after commissioning may draw from relevant 100- and 200-Series courses, special offerings, and approved external formation. Continuing education describes how learning serves the participant; it is not a separate course rank.
Shared work, clear responsibilities
Formation supports commissioning; it does not replace it.
Church Commons
- Publishes the course catalog and schedule
- Provides the learning platform, instructors, and course materials
- Maintains participant access and formation records
Muskingum Valley Presbytery
- Oversees call discernment and pathway assignment
- Determines readiness, equivalencies, examination, and commissioning
- Provides local accountability, practice, and pastoral oversight
All courses in the pathway remain in the public catalogue. Seminary courses remain required for the applicable MVP program level; students arrange dates and registration with the provider. The MVP schedule lists locally offered training.
Upcoming dates
MVP 2026–2027 schedule preview
| Date | Time | Course | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 20, 2026 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | Level 1 · GeneralistFORM 102 · Spiritual Formation as a Practice | Online |
| Sat, Oct 24, 2026 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM | Level 2 · CongregationalFORM 202 · Family Systems Theory and Congregational Care | To be confirmed |
| Tue, Oct 27, 2026 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | Level 1 · GeneralistFORM 102 · Spiritual Formation as a Practice | Online |
| Wed, Nov 4, 2026 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | Level 1 · GeneralistFORM 103 · Self-Knowledge · Session 1 | Online |
| Sat, Nov 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM | Level 1 · GeneralistPRAC 101 · Preaching Lab 1 | Ashland First Presbyterian Church |
| Sat, Nov 14, 2026 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM | Level 2 · CongregationalPRAC 203 · Leading Transformative Bible Study | Cambridge Presbyterian Church |
Ready for a next step?
If you are pursuing an MVP commission, begin with MVP so the presbytery can guide discernment and pathway placement. If you are taking a course for elder enhancement or as an external participant, explore the catalog and request registration when the offering opens.
MVP’s official site remains the authority for presbytery policies, applications, examinations, and commissioning decisions.