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credentials

HOW DO I GET CREDENTIALED?

Who do i contact?

Gaining ministerial credentials is a wonderful process and we are excited to partner with prospective ministers to help them reach this goal. Here are the steps needed to gain credentials with the North Carolina Assemblies of God.

To get started, contact Amy Connell at the District Office either by phone at 919-965-0225 or email at aconnell@ncag.org.

CREDENTIAL LEVELS

LEVEL 1: CERTIFICATE OF MINISTRY

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This level is for efficient helpers in gospel work who devote a part of their time to Christian service. They shall show promise of usefulness in the gospel work. They shall devote a part of their time to Christian ministry and, at the discretion of the district credentials committees, remain under the supervision of a pastor or a designated supervisor. They shall preach at least 12 times a year or be actively engaged in some other aspect of ministry.

LEVEL 2: lICENSED

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This level is for those who give clear evidence of a divine call and whose desire is to devote their lives to preaching the full gospel.

LEVEL 3: ordained

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This level is for those who give proof of their call and whose mature ministry qualifies them for a wide range of leadership responsibilities in full-time gospel ministries. Applicants must be at least 23 years of age, have held a license to preach, and have been engaged in active work as a pastor, evangelist, or some other recognized and proven full-time preaching ministry for two full consecutive years immediately prior to ordination.

basic qualifications

The following qualifications pertain to all applicants for ministerial recognition.

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  • Salvation. Testimony of having experienced the new birth (John 3:5).

  • Baptism in The Holy Spirit. Testimony of having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues according to Acts 2:4. The Spirit-filled life will enable a minister to fulfill the threefold mission of the church (Article V, paragraph 10, of the Constitution).

  • Evidence of Call. Clear evidence of a divine call to the ministry, evidenced by a personal conviction, confirmed by the work of the Spirit and the testimony of fellow ministers.

  • Christian Character. A blameless Christian life and a good report of those who are without (Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 3:7).

  • Doctrinal Position. A thorough understanding of and agreement with our doctrinal position as contained in the Statement of Fundamental Truths.

  • Assemblies of God Polity. A satisfactory working knowledge of the principles, practices, and purposes of the Fellowship through a study of the General Council and District Council Constitution and Bylaws.

  • Commitment to The Fellowship. An active loyalty to our constitutional agreements, a cooperative spirit, and a readiness to seek and receive the counsel of older mature Christians and those in positions of authority.

  • Residency Requirements of Applicants. To obtain ministerial credentials through the NCAG, all applicants must be residents of or hold credentials within this district.

education requirements

CERTIFIED

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  • Synoptic Gospels

  • Introduction to Hermeneutics

  • Relationships and Ethics in Ministry

  • Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine

  • The Spirit Empowered Church

  • AG History, Missions, and Governance

  • Introduction to Theology

  • Old Testament Survey

  • New Testament Survey

  • Beginning Practicum

LICENSED

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  • Acts

  • Prison Epistles

  • Evangelism

  • Romans

  • Introduction to Homiletics

  • Eschatology

  • Leadership Skills

  • Conflict Resolution

  • Intermediate Practicum

  • History of AG Missions

ORDAINED

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  • Pentateuch

  • Preaching in Context

  • Church Administration, Law  & Finance

  • Prayer and Worship

  • Pastoral Ministry

  • Poetic Books

  • Corinthians

  • Advanced Practicum

OTHER INFORMATION

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Any level of formal academic achievement (diploma or degree) shall not be a requirement for credentials; however, credential applicants shall meet the following criteria:

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  • Interview: All applicants are required to be interviewed by the NCAG Credentials Committee and, in preparation for the interview, pass a standard exam approved by the General Presbytery whereby they demonstrate knowledge of the Bible, Assemblies of God doctrines, and ministerial practices; and either: (1) Successfully complete equivalent training to that indicated on the educational requirements page, preferably, in an endorsed Assemblies of God postsecondary school; or in a seminary, college, Bible college, or school approved by the NCAG Credentials Committee consistent with the criteria established by the General Council Credentials Committee; or (2) Successfully complete courses, prescribed by the General Presbytery offered in correspondence through Global University of the Assemblies of God; or pass the final examination in the prescribed courses; or (3) Be recommended by NCAG Credentials Committee as qualifying for credentials through self-study and ministerial experience. Such candidates shall have a proven and fruitful ministry of substantial duration. Requests from a district for such a candidate shall be presented to the General Council Credentials Committee and may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

  • Marriage Status: We disapprove of any married person holding ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God, if either marriage partner has a former spouse living, except if they qualify for an ecclesiastical annulment or recognition of pre-conversion divorce as stated below.

  • Annulments, Marriage Dissolutions, and Divorces: All situations involving pre-conversion divorce or annulments shall be decided on an individual case by case basis. The Executive Presbytery shall have the authority to determine whether an applicant’s annulment of a former marriage is consistent with the scriptural position of the Fellowship relating to the granting or holding of ministerial credentials; or, in the case of a divorce or a dissolution whether the circumstances would more appropriate be classified as calling for an annulment; or if the divorce occurred prior to conversion. The application for an annulment must be accompanied by clear and satisfactory evidence of an illegal marriage through deception or fraud. Appeals from the decisions of the Executive Presbytery may be made to the General Presbytery. All pre-conversion inquiries must be directed to the office of the District Superintendent, by calling (919)-965-0225, prior to applying for an Assemblies of God credential.

  • Eligibility of Women: The Scriptures plainly teach that divinely called and qualified women may also serve the church in the ministry of the Word (Joel 2:29; Acts 21:9; 1 Corinthians 11:5). Women who have developed in the ministry of the Word so that their ministry is acceptable generally, and who have proved their qualifications in actual service, and who have met all the requirements of the credentials committees of the district council, are entitled to whatever grade of credentials their qualifications warrant and the right to administer the ordinances of the church when such acts are necessary.

  • Ministers from Other Organizations: If a minister from another reputable body desires to affiliate with the Assemblies of God, the Credentials Committees of both the General Council and NCAG are under no obligation to accept the applicant’s previous ministerial status, but will judge each candidate on his or her own merits in light of the Assemblies of God criteria. It is expected that ministers who receive Assemblies of God recognition will relinquish their ministerial credentials with all other organizations.

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