Credentialing

CREDENTIAL LEVELS

CERTIFICATE OF MINISTRY:
Beginners and efficient helpers in gospel work, especially those who work under pastoral leadership and who devote a part of their time to Christian service.

LICENSED MINISTER:
Those who give evidence of a divine call, who have had practical experience in preaching, and who give evidence of a purpose to devote their entire time to preaching the gospel.

ORDAINED MINISTER:
Those who are of mature experience, and who are qualified and able to undertake the responsibilities of the full gospel ministry, and whose ministries are accepted and recognized by the District Presbytery.

• Applicants must be twenty-three (23) years of age or older.
• Applicants must be a member of the Wisconsin/Northern Michigan Ministries Network for no less than one (1) year prior to ordination.
• Ministers may not be ordained to the ministry until they have shown evidence of a divine call and have held a ministry license and shall have been actively engaged in ministry and proclamation of the gospel for at least two full consecutive years immediately prior thereto.

Certified and License ministers are credentialed year round.
Ordained candidates must meet the August 1 deadline.

CREDENTIAL STEPS

1.  EDUCATION

THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Global University/Berean School of the Bible - www.globaluniversity.edu (800.443.1083)

District School of Ministry (DSOM) - www.wnmdag.org (715.258.8118)

FULFILLING EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The General Council Bylaws (Article VII, Section 2, paragraph h) indicate that formal academic achievement is not a requirement for credentials; however, credentials applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Successfully complete equivalent coursework to that referenced in paragraph “2” below either in an endorsed Assemblies of God postsecondary school, or in a seminary, college, Bible college, district school of ministry, or school approved by the district credentials committee; or
2. Successfully complete courses, prescribed by the General Presbytery, offered in correspondence through Global University—Berean School of the Bible (see list as follows).

For applicants who completed coursework at an endorsed Assemblies of God college as a biblical studies major, ministerial studies major, or other church-related major as defined by the Commission on Christian Higher Education (which includes a course on Assemblies of God History, Missions and Governance), the following apply:

Certified Minister — 2 years of coursework 
Licensed Minister — 3 years of coursework 
Ordained Minister — 4 years of coursework

For applicants who completed coursework at an endorsed Assemblies of God college in a non-biblical studies or non-ministry related major, a transcript evaluation will be employed to determine what classes can be considered educational equivalents for coursework as noted in the list that follows.

2.  APPLICATION

Call our office or send an email (dawn@wnmdag.org) to request the application documents. You will need to include the following documents with your application:

1.  A copy of your signed social security card,
2.  Your transcripts,
3.  The application fee (make check payable to WNMD). The application fee amount will be included with the application. 

Mail it all back to:

Wisconsin/Northern Michigan Ministries Network (or WNMD)
Attn: District Secretary’s Office
P.O. Box 309
Waupaca, WI 54981

Once we receive your application and have reviewed it, you will be sent a study packet for the credential exam. Included in the study packet is a synopsis that serves as a study guide to help prepare you for the exam and information on where to download the constitution and bylaws for the District and General Council.

When you are ready to take the exam, contact your sectional presbyter to schedule a date. This information is included with your exam study guide.

 3.  EXAM

After you have been notified of a passing completed the exam, contact your sectional presbyter to arrange an interview date.

 4.  INTERVIEW

When the interview is completed a recommendation will be brought to the District Presbytery, who will then make a recommendation for approval to the General Council. You will be notified in a letter and given the results of this decision. The General Secretary’s office makes final approval.

5.  APPROVAL

When General Council has approved your credential, you can expect to receive your official credential card and welcome packet in the mail within 4 to 6 weeks.

You will also receive a letter to participate in the Credentialing/Recognition Service at District Summit.

NOTE: Certified and License level credentials are recognized as individuals getting credentialed in the previous year. Those getting ordained will receive their credentials at District Summit.

CREDENTIALS - DIVORCE OR REMARRIAGE

We believe it is possible to maintain biblical standards for ministry and marriage, while at the same time offering a compassionate response to those who are called into ministry yet have a divorce and remarriage in their background. Perhaps these circumstances occured before you came to Christ. Perhaps you entered into a marriage based upon fraudulent or deceptive circumstances, or a divorce occurred due to adultery or abandonment by your former spouse. In any case, these are painful circumstances that should not necessarily disqualify you from fulfilling God’s call upon your life.

We welcome the opportunity to help you explore the possibilities of pursuing God’s call. We will treat your application with the utmost respect and confidentiality. We will afford you the dignity of listening to your story and will serve you gladly in the process. If your situation qualifies for General Council Recognition, we will move forward to facilitate your credentialing process. Rich Lemberg, Network Secretary or Dawn Winrich, assistant to Rich Lemberg will be happy to provide you with more information about your next steps in responding to God’s call.

VERY IMPORTANT

As you can imagine, individuals go through the credentialing process only to discover they are not eligible for credentials at this time.  For example, you should not apply for credentials until you have confirmed with our office that you have no more than 2 remaining educational courses to complete for the level of credentials you seek.  In addition, certain past behaviors or experiences may or may not be disqualifying factors; each situation is unique and largely depends on the details.  Please email the District Secretary’s office (dawn@wnmdag.org) in advance so we can discuss the specifics of your situation if you have:

 a)  any of the following in your history:  bankruptcy, foreclosures, tax liens, judgments, collections, or if you are remarried and you (or your spouse) have  a former spouse who is still living

 b)  ever been accused of, engaged in, or investigated for any sexual misconduct involving a minor or adult, including but not limited to child abuse, child molestation, indecent liberties with a child, incest, adultery, sexual harassment, rape, assault, battery, murder, kidnapping, child pornography, sodomy, or sexual contact with a counselee

 c)  since your conversion, used tobacco, alcohol, illegal or recreational drugs in any form or been involved in gambling or pornography.

UPGRADING CREDENTIALS

Upgrading your credential is a great way to sharpen your skill set through ongoing education while moving toward the biblical precedent for ordination. Below is a basic outline of the credential process so you know what to expect.

Step 1
Call our office or send an email (dawn@wnmdag.org) to request the application documents.

Mail application and supporting documents along with the following:

1. $130 application fee (make check payable to WNMD)
2. Educational transcripts
3. Copy of signed social security card to:

Wisconsin/Northern Michigan Ministries Network
Attn: District Secretary
P.O. Box 309
Waupaca, WI 54981

Step 2
Once we have received your paperwork, we will send you a study material and who to contact to schedule your exam.

Step 3
After you have been notified of a passing completed exam, you will be notified to contact your sectional presbyter to arrange an interview date.

Step 4
When the interview is complete, a recommendation will be brought to the District Presbytery, who will then make a recommendation for approval to the General Council. You will be notified in a letter with the results of this decision. The General Secretary's office makes final approval.

Step 5
When General Council has approved your credential, you can expect to receive your official credential card in the mail within 4 to 6 weeks.

You will also receive a letter to participate in the Credentialing/Recognition Service at District Summit.

Applicants who desire to reinstate a ministerial credential must submit the following documents along with $130 reinstatement fee ($80 payable to the Wisconsin/Northern Michigan Ministries Network (WNMD) & $50 payable to General Council).

Call our office or send an email (dawn@wnmdag.org) to request the application for reinstatment.

Reinstatement Guidelines

• If a credential has lapsed for over seven (7) years, the written exam is required.
• If the credential lapsed or was resigned in a District other than the Wisconsin/Northern Michigan Ministries Network, a letter of good standing from the previous District should be submitted with the reinstatement application.
• If a minister reinstates within the first three months of the calendar year after lapsing, General Council dues from the previous year must be fulfilled. 

RENEWING CREDENTIALS