LICENSURE OVERVIEW
The credentialing of Church of God ministers is a formational process for individuals seeking to be licensed ministers. Individuals, in partnership with church leadership, will pursue their divine call and place of ministry through personal discovery, education, and training.
If you have any questions about this procedure for Ministerial Credentials, contact Jessica by email: info@ncrcog.org.
General Requirements of Applicants for Ministry
1. All applicants for the ministry, including ordained bishops, ordained ministers, exhorters, ministers of music, and ministers of Christian education, must have the baptism in the Holy Ghost (21st A., 1926, p. 32; 50th A., 1964, p. 56; DF 8, 9).
2. All ministers shall adhere to the Teachings and Doctrines as set forth by the International General Assembly of the Church of God (75th A., 2014).
3. All ministers are required to pay tithes to retain their license (75th A., 2014).
4. All applicants for ministry shall serve as exhorters before making application for ordained minister, except ordained ministers coming from other sister organizations, licensed ministers of music, and ministers of Christian education (43rd A., 1950, p. 14 ; 50th A., 1964, p. 56).
5. All applicants for the ministry should be actively engaged in ministry before being recommended for credentialed ministry (75th A., 2014).
6. All applicants for the ministry, including those advancing in rank, must give consent to the state/regional office to conduct criminal background checks (70th A., 2004 p. 55).
EXHORTER | CAMS
The entry level for credentialing is Exhorter. Applications are available for download at the link below. The Exhorters application also serves as an application for the Calling and Ministry Studies (CAMS) program which ministerial applicants must complete before obtaining credentials. CAMS is conducted once a year by the Ministerial Development Board. Sessions begin in September and conclude in January.
In order to be admitted to CAMS, applicants must have their completed application packet at the State Office by June 15.
Once a candidate has successfully completed the CAMS program they and their spouse (if applicable) will be interviewed by the Ministerial Development Board. If this board approves the candidate to continue with the credentialing process, the candidate can purchase a study guide for the Exhorters test and begin to study for the exam. Candidates who wish to obtain a Minister of Music or Minister of Christian Education certificate must complete the same process as those who are seeking their Exhorter.
ORDAINED MINISTER | MIP
Individuals who hold an Exhorters certificate may apply to advance to the rank of Ordained Minister. Applications are available for download at the link below. The Ordained Minister application is also an application for the Ministerial Internship Program (MIP). Candidates seeking their Ordained Minister credential must complete MIP before they can take the Ordained Minister exam.
Applications for Ordained Minister must be received at the State Office by June 15 in order to be admitted to MIP which begins each August.
Once a candidate has successfully completed MIP they can purchase a study guide for the Ordained Minister test and begin to study for the exam. Candidates must hold their Exhorters certificate for a minimum of one year before they can take the Ordained Minister exam.
ORDAINED BISHOP
Male Ordained Ministers who seek to advance to the rank of Ordained Bishop must meet certain requirements related to age and length of time which they have held credentials.
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An applicant for ordination as bishop may be ordained when he is twenty-five (25) years of age, provided he has had at least eight (8) years of active ministry, or he has three (3) years of active ministry accompanied by a ministry-related degree or its equivalency from an accredited institution or one certified by the Church of God Division of Education, or
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When he is thirty (30) years of age, provided he has had at least five (5) years of active ministry, if he is otherwise qualified.
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In those cases in which a ministerial applicant has had verifiable active ministerial experience prior to receiving credentials, exceptions to the age qualifications can be made upon recommendation by the ministerial applicant’s administrative bishop and with the approval of the Executive Council (72nd A.,2008; 76th A.,2016, pp.183-84).
