General Requirements & Guidelines

Requirements

  • All applicants for ministry must have the baptism in the Holy Ghost.

  • All ministers shall adhere to the teachings and doctrines as set forth by the International General Assembly of the Church of God.

  • All ministers are required to pay tithes to retain their license.

  • All applicants for ministry shall serve as exhorters before making application for ordained minister certificate, except ordained ministers coming from other reputable organizations, licensed ministers of music, and ministers of Christian education.

  • All applicants for the ministry should be actively engaged in ministry before being recommended for credentialed ministry.

  • All applicants for the ministry, including those advancing in rank, must give consent to the state/regional office to conduct criminal background checks.

Guidelines

These are the guidelines for every rank of advancement in the ministerial credentialing process. See flow chart for sequential advancements in rank.

  • Secure application for interested level of credentialing from the State Office.

  • All questions must be answered completely or application will be considered incomplete.

  • Completed application must be reviewed and signed by the candidate’s pastor and district overseer.

  • Completed application must be returned to the State Office with a one-time processing fee.

  • When the application is received, and reviewed by the State Office, a criminal background check will be processed.

  • If the candidate has multiple marriages; or, if there are concerns about the criminal background check, the candidate will be asked to submit explanation during a ministerial credentialing interview (i.e. Initial Interview).

  • After the application and required courses have been satisfactorily completed and processed, the candidate must be set forth by the local congregation in a business conference. The State Office will supply the Local Church Endorsement form. 

  • The candidate must secure the study guide from the Division of Education and successfully complete the examination for the particular rank of ministry being pursued. 

  • After testing, the application and all other documents will be forwarded to the International Offices where they will be reviewed and the certificate issued. This may take several weeks. Should the candidate (or spouse) have previous marriages this will require additional time.