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ILLINOIS CHURCH OF GOD
STATE EXECUTIVE OFFICES
PO Box 978
Decatur, Illinois 62525

Telephone
(217) 429-5121

E-Mail
info@illinoiscog.org

INTERNATIONAL OFFICES
Cleveland, Tennessee
www.churchofgod.org

Licensure Information

The Church of God recognizes the following ranks of ministry: Exhorter, Ordained and Ordained Bishop. There are also two certificates for specialized areas of ministry which are Minister of Music and Minister of Christian Education.

With each rank and specialization come certain privileges and responsibilities proper to its function in the church. All ranks are bound by the rulings of the International General Assembly in matters of faith, practice and polity.

The following information describes the procedure for applying for ministerial licensure or for advancement in ministerial rank:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MINISTERIAL APPLICANTS

Applicant must:

1. Have read the Bible through at least once.

2. Be a faithful member, attending and tithing to local church a minimum of six months.

3. Have the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

4. If applicant or spouse has had a prior marriage, must ascertain that they meet eligibility requirements. (See further information below.)

5. Be currently active in ministry.

Policy Concerning Divorce and Remarriage for Ministerial Applicants and/or Spouse

No ministerial applicant is eligible for licensure if they or their spouse have more than one living former spouse.

If a ministerial applicant or their spouse has a divorce and remarriage with only one living former spouse, they must complete a set of Ministerial Questionnaire Concerning Divorce and Remarriage Forms. These questionnaire forms and the New Minister Application Form will be reviewed in a personal interview with the applicant and their spouse by the State Special Case Review Committee. If approval is granted, the recommendation will be sent to the General Executive Committee for approval prior to the applicant being set forth by the local church.

Once the candidate has been approved by the Special Case Review Committee and the General Executive Committee, the applicant will be given the opportunity to enroll in the Calling and Ministry Studies Program.

STEPS IN THE LICENSURE PROCESS

EXHORTER

1. The Pastor should call the Secretary to the Education Director at the State Office to request the "New Minister Application Form."

2. Applicant and Pastor must complete and return the new minister application along with the appropriate letters of recommendation to the State Office (one letter from the applicant's Pastor on church letterhead and one from the applicant's employer). The applicant must also complete a "My Life Story" assignment to be used by the interview committee.

3. All applicants must submit to a background check. Along with the new minister application, a copy of the applicant's driver's license and a check in the amount of $35 must be submitted.

4. After the background screening has been done and the application is reviewed, the applicant will be notified of the date of the next interview. If the applicant is married, the spouse must attend the interview.

5. If the applicant is approved for ministry by the interview committee, he/she will be given an application for the Calling and Ministry Studies Program (CAMS).

6. Upon successful completion of the CAMS program and payment of fees, the applicant will be given an Exhorter application. The applicant will complete the first portion and his/her pastor will complete the Pastoral Recommendation. The application will then be forwarded to the Regional Bishop for his recommendation. The Regional Bishop will return the completed application to the State Office.

7. Upon receipt of the application, the State Office will send a study material order form to the applicant. Study material is then ordered by the applicant from the Office of Ministerial Development at the International Offices. In addition, the "Local Church Endorsement Form" will be mailed to the applicant's Pastor who will set a date for the applicant to be officially set forth (endorsed) by the local church.

8. After the applicant is set forth, the completed "Local Church Endorsement Form" is returned to the State Office. The Education Director will sign all Local Church Endorsements.

9. Upon receipt of the endorsement, the State Office will forward to the Examining Board chairman the applicants testing materials.

10. The Examining Board chairman will return the test results to the State Office. If applicant fails the examination, the chairman will reschedule the applicant for the next testing date.

11. If the applicant successfully passes the Exhorter exam, the application forms, letters of recommendation, Local Church Endorsement and test results will be mailed to the International Offices and the applicant should receive his Exhorter certificate in approximately 45 days.

12. After receiving Exhorter credentials, the applicant is expected (within the next year) to enroll in the Ministerial Internship Program (MIP) before advancing to the rank of Ordained Minister.

MINISTER OF MUSIC OR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Same as Exhorter process except that, in addition to the Exhorter Application, a Minister of Music or Minister of Christian Education application must be completed and an additional test will be given in that specialized ministry.

ORDAINED MINISTER

1. Be sure the MIP (Ministerial Internship Program) has been completed.

2. Request an Ordained Minister Application from the Secretary to the Administrative Bishop. (Ministerial reports must be current/on time for prior six months.). Complete the application and give to Pastor (or Regional Bishop if applicant is a Pastor) for his/her completion and ask that the completed application be returned to the State Office.

3. With State Administrative Bishop's approval, the Local Church Endorsement Form will be sent to set candidate forth in local church. Order form for study materials will be sent to the applicant to purchase study guide.

4. Applicant will be notified of date, time and location of examination.


ORDAINED BISHOP

1. Contact the Secretary to the Administrative Bishop at the State Office to request the Ordained Bishop Application (Ministerial reports must be current/on time for prior six months.).

2. If applicant or spouse has a divorce and remarriage history, the applicant must complete a Documentation Statement and make sure all questionnaire forms have been submitted and approved. Advancement to Ordained Bishop will require the approval of the State Administrative Bishop, the Special Case Review Committee, the General Executive Committee and two-thirds of the Executive Council.

3. Complete application and give to Pastor (or Regional Bishop if applicant is a Pastor) for his/her completion and ask that the completed application be returned to the State Office.

4. With the approval of the State Administrative Bishop, the Local Church Endorsement will be sent to set candidate forth in the local church. Order form will be mailed to purchase study guide.

5. Applicant will be notified of date, time and location of examination.

Applications Available for Download
[Adobe PDF]


STEP 1
C.A.M.S. Application


STEP 2
M.I.P. Application