Credentialing Process - Licensing and Ordination

What is Credentialing?

Every Christian disciple has a ministry, and all who are called to ministry should be accountable. Ministerial credentialing, however, relates to particular vocational calls and carries with it both special recognition and accountability. Credentials are covenantal in nature; to accept such credentials is to become accountable to the established credentialing body of the appropriate area assembly. While most ministries reserved for the laity of the church do not require formal recognition as a means of establishing accountability, ministries practiced by clergy persons usually do. 

Credentialing in the Church of God takes the forms of licensing and ordination. Each requires that certain qualifications be met. It is the responsibility of the appropriate credentialing body to determine whether or not a minister is qualified for credentialing and, if so, when and at which of the levels. Evidence of certain spiritual prerequisites is required by a credentialing committee in order for a prospective ministerial candidate to initiate pursuit of appropriate credentials. This evidence includes:

1. Salvation—as shown in a holy lifestyle;

2. Evidence of the call of God—a divine appointment to Christian ministry;

3. A demonstrated need for vocational credentials;

4. Fellowship and involvement in a local congregation of the Church of God;

5. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

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Because there are varieties of ministry, there are varieties of credentialing. Those who are licensed or ordained receive such credentialing because they have been “set apart” for a ministry that requires a more extensive involvement and a special gifting by the Holy Spirit. Credentialing at whatever level signifies a covenant relationship between the minister and the credentialing body, the minister and ministerial peers, the minister and the church at large, the minister and the local church being served, and the minister and God. Assuring the integrity of each of these covenant relationships rests on patterns of mutual accountability.

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Who may be credentialed? The following identifies the ministerial categories of those vocational ministers who may be credentialed through licensing and/or ordination. 

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Pastors - Persons who pastor recognized Church of God congregations may be properly considered for ordination, provided they have made a long-term vocational commitment to Christian ministry with the Church of God and otherwise meet the qualifications for ordination listed in the Credentials Manual. 

Staff Associates - Career staff associates (e.g., those engaged in music and worship ministry, youth ministry, Christian education ministry) who have made long-term vocational commitments to congregational Christian ministry and who have achieved professional competence may be appropriately considered for ordination. In such instances, steps toward ordination should be no different from those prescribed for pastors. 

Organizational Staff - Professional persons who have made a long-term vocational commitment to Christian ministry and who serve as evangelists or in administrative, educational, para-church, or institutional capacities that support the work of a local congregation may be appropriately considered for ordination. In such instances, steps toward ordination should be no different from those prescribed for pastors. 

Chaplains - Persons who represent the church at large as military or institutional chaplains often find that ordination is a prerequisite for employment and placement. Those who have made long-term vocational commitments to these or similar callings may be appropriately considered for ordination. In such instances, steps toward ordination should be no different from those prescribed for pastors. 

Christian Counselors - Professional counselors who have made a long-term vocational commitment to Christian ministry, and who have become properly educated for service as Christian counselors, may be appropriately considered for ordination. In such instances, steps toward ordination should be no different from those prescribed for pastors. 

Missionaries - Persons may be considered for ordination if they represent the church at large as formally appointed missionaries through Church of God Ministries and have a long-term vocational commitment to Christian ministry. In such instances, steps toward ordination should be no different from those prescribed for pastors.

Church Planters - Must be actively involved in planting a church affiliated with Church of God Ministries (Anderson, IN).

WHO IS INVOLVED?

Florida Church of God Ministries’ Credentialing Committee is the credentialing and arm and covering of pastors and churches in Florida associated with Church of God Ministries (Anderson, IN).  

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Leadership Focus is an online ministry development tool, designed to equip and strengthen leaders in the Church of God through relational training with a missional perspective.

This credentialing process is designed to last three years, broken into 6 month courses, each focusing on a core area of ministry and leadership development: Commencement, Competencies, Character, Confessions, Connectivity and Celebrations.  There is also a one-time, short-term enrollment period.  Each module will be hosted by a coach who will lead you through guided online web training calls.  You will be expected to participate in each web meeting along with fulfilling each module’s unique requirements.

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COST of Leadership Focus each course is billed to you prior to the beginning of the courses.

Registration with Florida Ministries: No Cost          Enrollment: $25          Course 1: $275            Courses 2-6: $150 each

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REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT PERIODS

   Registration with                               Enrollment Course                           Course 1-6 Tracks 

   Florida Ministries                                   with Leadership Focus                        Start Dates

  July 1 - November 30                                    October 1 - January 1                               March 1 (Spring)

 December 1 - June 30                                       June 1 - August 1                                  September 1 (Fall)

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REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT PROCESS

• Complete CREDENTIALS REGISTRATION FORM below

• Once approved and contacted by Florida Ministries, register with LEADERSHIP FOCUS

  • to learn more about Leadership Focus, visit the Church of God Ministries site.

• Once registration with Leadership Focus is complete you will be assigned to ENROLLMENT COURSE to pay your fee and begin your assignments.