Steps
Toward Credentialing (excerpts)
 |
The
following are excerpts from the Steps
Toward Credentialing
rules and regulations document. A
full copy can be obtained by
contacting our office. |
Purpose
of Ministerial Credentials
The
purpose of a ministerial credential is
(1) to affirm God's call upon a person's
life; (2) to verify that this person
meets the qualifications and standards
for ministry in the Evangelical Free
Church of America (EFCA); (3) to approve
this person for ministerial service under
the auspices of the EFCA, and (4) to
provide legal status in the exercise of
that person's ministry.
Types
of Ministerial Credentials
There
are four types of credentials for
ministry issued by the EFCA: Certificate
of Ordination, Certificate of Christian
Ministry, Ministry License, and
Recommendation for Ministry.
Certificate
of Ordination
This
credential is designed specifically for
those involved in pastoral ministry. It
may be issued to candidates who (1) are
male in gender; (2) are involved in
pastoral ministry (seminary professors,
military chaplains and missionary church
planters are also eligible); (3) have
completed an M.Div. degree or its
equivalent in an evangelical seminary
(unless an exception is made by the Board
of Ministerial Standing in recognition of
the candidate's knowledge and
experience); (4) have completed the
requirements for a ministerial license;
(5) have been approved by an examining
council; and (6) have demonstrated gifts
in ministry to the satisfaction of the
Board of Ministerial Standing.
The
candidate for ordination must have held a
ministry license for a full licensing
period of three years in the EFCA (This
requirement may be waived in certain
situations for military chaplains who are
assured a chaplain's appointment.)
A
transfer of ordination from an acceptable
ordaining agency is possible, and the
three year licensure period will be
waived. However, the candidate must meet
the same qualifications and follow the
same procedure for transfer as the
individual moving from licensure to
ordination (see booklet for full
details).
Certificate
of Christian Ministry
This
credential is designed specifically for
those involved in professional church
ministries other than pastoral ministry.
It may be issued to candidates who (1)
are involved in church ministry (such as
associate/assistant pastor,
administrative pastor, youth pastor,
minister of music, pastoral counselor,
women's minister, children's minister,
etc.), institutional ministry, military
chaplaincy, missionary ministry and
evangelistic ministry; (2) have completed
an appropriate degree for their area of
ministry from a recognized college or
seminary (unless an exception is made by
the Board of Ministerial Standing in
recognition of the candidate's knowledge
and experience); (3) have completed the
requirements of a ministerial license;
(4) have been approved by an examining
council; and (5) have demonstrated gifts
in ministry to the satisfaction of the
Board of Ministerial Standing.
The
candidate must have held a ministry
license for a full licensing period of
three years in the EFCA.
Ministry
License
This
credential is designed specifically for
those who are preparing for a permanent
credential but have not yet fulfilled the
requirements. It is valid as long as the
holder remains in full time vocational
ministry. It will be issued for three
years and, thereafter, one year at a time
until a permanent credential is obtained
(up to two additional years).
| Type
1: |
License
Leading to Certificate of
Ordination. The applicant for
this ministry license must be
male in gender. During the
licensing period, the candidate
will have all the rights and
privileges of ordination. This
license may be issued to those
serving in pastoral ministry
(seminary professors, military
chaplains and missionary church
planters are also eligible). |
| Type
2: |
License
Leading to Certificate of
Christian Ministry. A ministry
license may be issued to
candidates who are involved in
church ministry (such as
associate/assistant pastor,
administrative pastor, youth
pastor, minister of music,
pastoral counselor, women's
minister, children's minister,
etc.), institutional ministry,
military chaplaincy, missionary
ministry and evangelistic
ministry. The one who holds this
credential will have the same
rights and privileges as the one
holding the Certificate of
Christian Ministry. It does
not carry the ordination title
and does not lead to ordination (but
this is not to say that the
holder is excluded from pursuing
the ordination track if they are
otherwise qualified). |
Recommendation
for Ministry
This
credential is designed specifically for
certain lay ministers and student
ministers. The candidate must be male in
gender, and either a layman engaged in
pastoral ministry or a theological
student carrying out pastor/teacher
functions in the local church (this is
not intended for internships unless the
candidate is serving as a senior pastor).
Again,
a copy of the complete document or a
credentialing application packet can be
obtained by providing the request, along
with your mailing address, to alleghenydistrict@verizon.net
The
Evangelical Free Church was born out of a
heritage of commitment to the authority and
inerrancy of Scripture. The absolute truth of
God's Word is the objective standard by which we
are to lead our lives and represent the Lord
Jesus Christ to a needy world. The trademark of
our high and uncompromised view of Scripture is
arguably the most definitive trait of the
Evangelical Free Church of America. It only
follows that those who lead our churches and
ministries be held accountable to an objective
standard. 