Resolution #7 — Establishing A Local Church Credential

There is a growing concern that local churches are disconnected from the credentialing process. This resolution would create, for the first time, a local church credential so that the mentoring and ministry development process could begin for an applicant at his/her local church. The credential would be deemed temporary for 2 years (renewable up to 4 years total) while the applicant is completing course work and a mentoring process. The credential is non-transferable. Only churches that are General Council affiliated with a prescribed program under guidelines established by a district can offer a local church credential.

RESOLVED, That General Council Bylaws Article VII. MINISTRY, Section 1. Ministry Described, pages 116-117, which presently reads:

Section 1. Ministry Described

Christ’s gifts to the Church include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11), exhorters, administrators, leaders, and helpers (Romans 12:7,8). We understand God’s call to these ministry gifts is totally within His sovereign discretion without regard to gender, race, disability, or national origin.

In terms of maturity, three classifications of ministry are recognized; the ordained minister, the licensed minister, and the certified minister.

All ministers holding current ministerial credentials are authorized to perform the ordinances and ceremonies (sacerdotal functions) of the church.

Be amended to read:

Section 1. Ministry Described

Christ’s gifts to the Church include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11), exhorters, administrators, leaders, and helpers (Romans 12:7,8). We understand God’s call to these ministry gifts is totally within His sovereign discretion without regard to gender, race, disability, or national origin.

In terms of maturity, Three classifications of ministry are recognized and transferable among all Assemblies of God districts; the ordained minister, the licensed minister (including specialized licenses), and the certified minister.

All ordained, licensed, and certified ministers holding current ministerial credentials are authorized to perform the ordinances and ceremonies (sacerdotal functions) of the church, and those holding a local church credential as provided below.

A fourth classification of ministry, a local church credential, may be provided by a local General Council affiliated church under basic guidelines adopted by the General Presbytery and such additional guidelines adopted by the district council. The local church credential shall be non-transferable (limited to the issuing local church) and shall be limited to 2 years (renewable by the local church for an additional 2-year term). A person holding a local church credential can perform the ordinances and ceremonies (sacerdotal functions) of the church if authorized in writing by the senior pastor of the local church issuing the credential.

And, be it further

RESOLVED, That General Council Bylaws Article VII. MINISTRY, Section 3. Specific Qualifications, page 119, be amended by that addition of a new paragraph b to read as follows, and the remaining paragraphs to be relettered accordingly:

b. Local church credential. A local church credential shall be administered by the local church pursuant to basic guidelines adopted by the General Presbytery and such additional guidelines adopted by the district council. It shall be non-transferable (limited to the issuing local church).

Sponsor: Executive Presbytery, General Presbytery