BECOMING A MINISTER

​

​

Develop Your God-Given Calling

Did you realize that God has a plan and purpose for your life? In fact, He is actively calling out to you—to all of us. So whether we realize it or not, we are all responsible to "walk worthy of our calling" (Eph. 4:1). If you're still in discovery mode, the Forerunner Experience might be a great place to start. Or maybe you're looking for ways to be more effective. Consider the Ministry Intensives. Or perhaps you're ready to earn ministry credentials. We've got a few great options available for you. No pressure. Feel free to explore at your own pace.

​

Why credentials?

To some extent, carrying credentials is like a badge of loyalty. But even more than that, it’s a symbol that validates your calling and challenges you to walk worthy of it. 

 

To be a credentialed minister is more than the legal privilege to marry and bury; it’s an incentivized opportunity to locate the target and eventually launch into the deep.

​

Questions?

Our District Secretary would love to asist you. For question you can contact Bob Kelley at 573.694.1768 or email liferockon@aol.com.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

STEP #1: COMPLETING THE MINISTER'S STUDY SERIES

The Minister's Credentials are provided in three levels--Exhorter, License, and Ordination. Below are the requirements for the Minister's study Series in each level, which must be completed before application may be made for that specific level.

 

EXHORTER CREDENTIAL

Personal Study: An applicant must complete the following study courses.

* Basic Bible Truth by Aaron Wilson (Theology)
* What the Bible Says about the Holy Spirit by Stanley Horton (Theology)
* Old Testament Survey - Pt. 1 by Samuel J. Schultz (Bible)
* Old Testament Survey - Pt. 2 by Gary V. Smith (Bible)
* New Testament Survey by Walter M. Dunnett (Bible)
* Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels (Mission)
* General Constitution & Bylaws

 

Note: If one has completed equivalent studies this requirement may be waived.

Classroom Study: An applicant must check with the appropriate district to see if the following study courses are required.

 

* Character, Calling, & Commission
* The History & Doctrine of the Pentecostal Church of God

 

LICENSE CREDENTIAL

Personal Study: An applicant must complete the following study courses.

* Basic Homiletical Studies by C. M. O'Guin (Bible Study Methods)
* Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster (Spiritual Formation)
* Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby (Spiritual Leadership)
* Ministerial Ethics: A Guide for Spiritual Leaders by T. Burton Pierce (Ministerial Ethics)
* The Truth about the Family by Vernell Ingle (Marriage & Family)
* The Minister's Service Book by Myer Pearlman (Ministerial Basics)
* General Constitution & Bylaws (if not completed previously)

 

Note: If one has completed equivalent studies this requirement may be waived.

Classroom Study: An applicant must check with the appropriate district to see if the following study courses are required.

 

* Character, Calling, & Commission
* The History & Doctrine of the Pentecostal Church of God

Specialty Module: In addition to the study courses above, an applicant must select and complete one (1) of the following specialty modules.

 

Pastor/Teacher Module
* Spirit Centered Counseling by John Kie Vining (Pastoral Counseling)
* 12 Keys to an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan (Church Administration)
* Acts by Tyndale Commentary Series (Acts of the Apostles)

 

Missions/Evangelism Module
* Building a Contagious Church by Mark Mittelberg (Missions/Evangelism 1)
* The Coming Church Revolution by Carl George (Missions/Evangelism 2)
* Missional Church by Darrell Guder (Missions/Evangelism 3)

 

Music Ministry Module
* Let Us Worship & Let Us Praise by Judson Cornwall (Music Ministry 1)
* Exploring Worship by Bob Sorge (Music Ministry 2)
* Worship Evangelism by Sally Morgenthaler (Music Ministry 3)

 

Children's Ministry Module
* Leadership Essentials for Children's Ministry by Craig Jutila (Children's Ministry 1)
* Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions by George Barna (Children's Ministry 2)
* Children Matter by Scottie May & Linda Cannell (Children's Ministry 3)

 

Youth Ministry Module
* Purpose Driven Youth Ministry by Doug Fields (Youth Ministry 1)
* Unchristian by David Kinnaman (Youth Ministry 2)
* Reaching a Generation for Christ by Dunn & Senter III (Youth Ministry 3)

 

Senior Adult Ministry Module
* Senior Adult Ministry in the 21st Century by David Gallagher (Senior Adult Ministry 1)
* One Church, Four Generations by Gary McIntosh (Senior Adult Ministry 2)
* Catch the Age Wave by Win & Charles Arn (Senior Adult Ministry 3)

 

ORDINATION CREDENTIAL

Personal Study: An applicant must complete the following study courses.

* How to Prepare Bible Messages by James Braga (Bible Study Methods)
* Pastors at Greater Risk by H. B. London (Spiritual Formation)
* 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell (Spiritual Leadership)
* The 33 Laws of Stewardship by Sutherland & Nowery (Spiritual Stewardship)
* 7 Secrets of Successful Families by Jimmy Evans (Marriage & Family)
* General Constitution & Bylaws (if not completed previously)

 

Note: If one has completed equivalent studies this requirement may be waived.

Classroom Study: An applicant must check with the appropriate district to see if the following study courses are required.

 

* Character, Calling, & Commission
* The History & Doctrine of the Pentecostal Church of God

Specialty Module: If not previously completed at the License Credential level, an applicant for ordination must select and complete one (1) of the specialty modules listed above.

All materials may be ordered from: Global Resource Center, P: 817-554-5900 

 

​

STEP #2:  APPLYING FOR CREDENTIALS

Complete an Application with the appropriate supplemental forms and send it to the district office. The application differs depending on your circumstances. New applicants must complete the Application for Minister's Credentials. Previous applicants must complete the Application for Reinstatement. Current Applicants desiring promotion must complete the Application for Promotion. The following forms may be downloaded here and must be included with your application:

* Background Investigation Consent Form
* Bankruptcy Questionnaire (if applicable)
* Felony Questionnaire (if applicable)
* Marriage Questionnaire (for each divorce from the applicant and/or spouse)
* Adultery/Abandonment Substantiation Documents (at least two substantiation documents for each divorce from the applicant and/or spouse with one document coming from a non-family menber; any divorce that is prior to conversion does not need substantiation)
Adultery Substantiation (for applicant)
Adultery Substantiation (for spouse of applicant)
Abandonment Substantiation (for applicant)
Abandonment Substantiation (for spouse of applicant)
* Reference letter from the pastor who signed the application
* Recommendation letter from an organization that previously granted credentials (if applicable)

These supplemental forms are not required if applying for promotion. All applications must be reviewed, signed, and delivered to the appropriate district or state office, and upon the completion of the application process, a date for an interview will be established with the district leadership. Upon their recommendation, your application will be forwarded to the overseeing leadership of the Pentecostal Church of God for final approval. Also, please download the ACH form enabling you to have your monthly credentials fee automatically withdrawn from your checking account.

 

​

STEP #3:  INCLUDING PROCESSING FEES

* Credential Fee - $90.00 for the first three months of credentials
* Background Check Fee - $25.00 (this fee may be higher in certain geographical areas, such as New York)

 

These processing fees are required to begin the credentialing process and must be sent in the form of a check or money order with the application and supplemental forms. All checks must be made out to the Pentecostal Church of God. Other fees required throughout the process are subject to change. If for some reason the application is denied, $60.00 will be refunded to the applicant and $55.00 will be retained by the Pentecostal Church of God for a processing fee.