The following information describes the requirements and obligations of a
credentialed minister, as well as the process for obtaining credentials. Applications
for credentials with the Oregon Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God are
welcomed. If you still have a question after reading this information, contact us at diane.roberts@oregonag.org.
Basic Qualifications
Credential Classifications & Qualifications
Ministers from Other Organizations
Making Application
Educational Requirements
Financial Responsibilities
Annual Credential Renewals
When a Minister Transfers
Reinstatements
The following qualifications pertain to all applicants for ministerial recognition:
- Testimony of having experienced the new birth (John 3:5).
- Testimony to having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial
physical evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4). - Clear evidence of a divine call to ministry, evidenced by a personal conviction,
confirmed by the work of the Spirit and the testimony of fellow ministers. - A blameless Christian life and good report of those who are without (Titus
1:7, I Timothy 3:7). - A thorough understanding of and agreement with the doctrinal position of
the Assemblies of God as contained in the Statement of Fundamental Truths. - A satisfactory working knowledge of the principles, practices and purposes
of the Fellowship through a study of the General Council and Oregon Ministry
Network Constitution and Bylaws. - An active loyalty to the constitutional agreements, a cooperative spirit
and a readiness to seek and receive the counsel of those in leadership.
The same spiritual qualifications shall be expected of the spouse of those
seeking credentials. The Christian lifestyle of the spouse shall be compatible
with the standards of the ministry.
A candidate should be certain that motives are proper in applying for the
recognition of the Assemblies of God. A ministry anointed by the Holy Spirit
will prove to be the best credential one can have.
The Assemblies of God Fellowship is founded on the principles of voluntary cooperation. Every applicant ought to feel that the organization of the Assemblies of God is the fellowship into which God has called them. They are to be one with these people and adhere to the same tenants of faith, principles, purposes and practices as those they now join. They must be committed to the fellowship, willing to not only share in its privilege and blessing, but willing to cooperate
with its ministries. They must also be guided by, and when necessary, accept the discipline and direction of its leadership.
CREDENTIAL
CLASSIFICATIONS & QUALIFICATIONS
CERTIFIED MINISTER: Efficient helpers in gospel work who devote a part of
their time to Christian service and, whenever possible, remain under the supervision
of a pastor, may be recognized as Certified Ministers.
LICENSE: Clear evidence of a divine call - a practical experience
in preaching, together with an evident purpose to devote one's time to preach
the gospel.
ORDINATION: Qualifications for Ordination are
outlined in the New Testament Scriptures (I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9).
In addition:
- Applicants must be twenty-three (23) years of age or older.
- Applicants must be a member of the Oregon Ministry Network for not less
than one (1) year prior to ordination. - Applicants must possess a License to Preach credential at least two (2)consecutive years and be engaged in active work as pastor, evangelist or some other recognized full-time ministry for at least two (2) full consecutive years immediately prior to submitting an application.
- If applicant is licensed in another district, approval to proceed with ordination must be received from former district.
MINISTERS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
If a minister from another denomination desires to
affiliate with the Assemblies of God, the Credential Committees of both the
General Council and the Oregon Ministry Network are under no obligation to
accept the applicant's previous ministerial status. Each applicant shall
be judged on his or her own merits as to the level of credentials to be granted.
Such applicants shall be required to:
- Conform to Assemblies of God criteria for recognition.
- Secure an interview with their local Ambassador.
- Complete an application for ministerial recognition.
- Submit a recommendation from the body with which they were formerly affiliated.
If such is not available, letters of recommendation should be sought from
three trustworthy ordained ministers who are familiar with the applicant's
ministry. - Applicant shall take the credential examination.
- Applicant shall meet with the Credential Committee.
- Applicant shall be recommended by the Oregon Ministry Network Credential
Committee for the approval of the General Council Credential Committee. - Ministers who receive Assemblies of God recognition will relinquish their
ministerial credentials with any other organization.
MAKING APPLICATION FOR CREDENTIALS
- Complete educational requirements and then contact the network office to request a preliminary application.
- Interview with your local Ambassador in the section in which you reside. It is the Ambassador's responsibility to provide the Network Secretary with a report and recommendation as to the result of the interview.
- Subject to compliance with criteria for eligibility, an application will be mailed to you by the Network Secretary.
Return the completed application, recent photo and
filing fee check made payable to:
Oregon Ministry Network
P.O. Box 9178
Salem, Oregon 97305.Filing Fees: Certified Minister $101.50
License/Ordained $126.50This includes a mandatory background check fee of $26.50. The General Council requires this on all credential applicants effective January 1, 2004.
- The application will request the names of your pastor, ministers acquainted with your ministry background, friends and employers to be contacted for references. All references should know the applicant well enough to answer a comprehensive questionnaire.
- A synopsis of the required examination along with specific study books will be sent to you to assist you in preparing for the examination.
- All applicants must pass a written examination in order to become eligible. Your Ambassador will administer the written examination. The Network Secretary will notify you in writing that all your references and materials have been received and you will be requested to contact your Ambassador and arrange a time and place for the test to be given. Applicants will be asked to use only their Bible during the examination.
- Successful completion of the examination or educational requirements does not automatically insure acceptance. Bible school graduates are not exempt from the examination.
- The presbytery of the Assemblies of God, Oregon Ministry Network have determined that two books, Ministerial Ethics by T. Burton Pierce and The Pentecostal Pastor, edited by Thomas Trask, Wayde Goodall and Zenas Bicket would be beneficial for all credentialed ministers to read.
Applicants for a Certificate of Ministry and License to Preach shall interview with the Credential Committee when they become available. Applicants for Ordination shall interview with the Network Presbytery during their November session at the network office.
All applicants are required to meet the following minimum study requirements either through a recognized and approved Bible school, college, institute or correspondence course. Transcripts are required. Berean courses may be either college or institute level. General Council basic educational requirements are:
CERTIFIED MINISTER CERTIFICATE
- Synoptic Gospels
- Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers
- Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon
- Introduction to Hermeneutics
- Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine
- Assemblies of God History, Missions and Governance
- The Local Church in Evangelism
- Beginning Ministerial Internship
- Relationships and Ethics in Ministry*
LICENSE
- Introduction to Theology: A Pentecostal Perspective
- New Testament Survey
- Old Testament Survey
- Romans: Justification by Faith
- Introduction to Homiletics
- Eschatology: A Study of Things to Come
- Leadership Skills
- Introduction to Missions
- Conflict Resolution*
- Intermediate Ministerial Internship
ORDINATION
- Prayer and Worship
- The Corinthian Correspondence
- The Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
- The Poetic Books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesisastes and Song of Solomon
- Preaching in Cultural Context
- Church Administration, Finance, and Law
- Pastoral Ministry*
- Advanced Ministerial Internship
*Denotes those courses taught as a seminar course through the network office.
Visit www.thenewberean.com for class descriptions and to enroll in courses. Due to the various changes made in educational requirements and Berean courses, the Oregon Ministry Network generally accepts an applicant's classes under the program in which they begin. Therefore, if an applicant begins his/her coursework prior to these changes, he/she may complete their coursework according the previous requirements under which they began.
- TO GENERAL COUNCIL
- TO THE NETWORK OFFICE
Each credentialed minister affiliated with the Oregon Ministry Network shall pay as dues seven and one-half (7 1/2) percent of their ministerial income. The minimum required is:
Ordained, Licensed or Certified $60 monthly
Home Missionaries & World Missionaries $15 monthly (when on the field) or $30 (when residing in the US)
Senior Semi-retired & Retired $15 monthly
NOTE: In cases where both husband and wife are credentialed, the second credentialed person shall be required to contribute a minimum of $10.00 per month.
The work of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, in its program of developing the spirit of cooperation and fellowship in home and foreign fields, incurs considerable expense, including the financial support of the national offices. The required minimum is:
| Ordained | $20 monthly |
| Licensed | $15 monthly |
| Certified | $7.50 monthly |
| Senior-Retired | Free-will basis |
Compliance with these requirements will be a prerequisite for renewal of credentials of all active ministers. If their contributions are in arrears, they shall be given an opportunity to meet their obligations when they renew.
Credentials from the General Council are to be renewed annually. Renewal forms are mailed in November each year and are to be completed and returned to the network office no later than December 31. Ministers should call the network office if they have not received their form by December 1. The Oregon Ministry Network and General Council Constitution and Bylaws state charges are as follows:
| Oregon Annual Renewal fee for all Ministers | $10 |
| Renewal fees if received after January 1 | $25 to General Council & $25 to the OMN |
| Reinstatement Fee (for renewals after January 15) | $174.75 |
When a minister moves from the Oregon Ministry Network they shall request
to be transferred out in writing to the Credential Secretary. They will be
issued a transfer unless: they are in arrears with ministerial tithes;
there are definite charges against them or if there are other just causes for
delay, as stated in General Council and Oregon Network Bylaws. Ministers transferring
in to the Oregon Ministry Network from another district shall request a transfer
from their former district within 60 days of taking up residence in the Oregon
Ministry Network.
Applicants for reinstatement must complete an Application for Reinstatement
provided by the Credential Secretary. If the applicant has been lapsed for two (2) years, they shall be required to furnish three (3) references. If the applicant has been lapsed for two (2) years or more, they are required to take the written examination according to the status of credential for which they are applying.
Application fee is $174.75.
Any monies outstanding at the time they lapsed or resigned would also be due.
