Credentialing

Mobilize

Mobilize seeks to provide effective and cutting-edge ministerial resources that encompass the training and formation of spiritual integrity in every believer The Mobilize program is one of the best-kept secrets in the Church of God. The Mobilize is used for members to become stronger ministry leaders.

The Credentialing Process

Church of God in Ontario recognizes three (3) ranks of credentialed ministers:

1. Exhorter (first level)
2. Ordained Minister (intermediate level), and
3. Ordained Bishop (highest level).

To qualify for the Exhorter credential, all candidates MUST complete the following requirements:

Submit Pastoral Endorsement Form to the District Overseer (copy of the Pastoral Endorsement Form is located in the Forms section of the website).
Upon approval the candidate will submit a letter of Recommendation from District Overseer with the original copy of the Pastoral Endorsement Form to the State Office (Attention: Credentialing Secretary).
The Candidate will contact the Office of the Administrative Bishop to schedule an appointment for the Administrative Bishop approval of his candidacy to proceed with credentialing process .
Upon approval, the candidate contacts the CAMS Coordinator, completes the necessary CAMS registration and pay requisite registration fees to the State Office.
Upon completion of registration, the applicant begins the program with the CAMS Coordinator.
The CAMS Coordinator will advise the applicant of the process to proceed with Exhorter application.

Calling for Ministerial Studies

The CAMS program helps the applicant determined if they are called to clergy ministry, as well as providing knowledge about ministry. They are two sections in the CAMS: seminars and individual study. The purposes of the seminar is to identify how an individual knows he/she has a divine call, to explain what the meaning and practices of ministry are, and to help the applicant determine, what his or her divine calling is and to understand what ministry is all about. The seminars are attended by both the applicant and his/her spouse, provides tools that the applicant for the candidate to identify if they are called to ministry. The seminars also offers an explanation of the Christian Ministry.

The CAMS applicant completes three Certificate in Ministerial Studies (CIMS) courses through individual study. The study includes conducting personal devotions about the divine call and ministry. In addition, the applicant writes three papers: on his/her calling in ministry; his/her view of ministry and his/her ministry identity. The spouses will attend all three seminars and will write the papers about their calling and understanding of ministry.

Interested in the CAMS program, speak to your pastor. The pastor will contact the State Office for an application.

Exhorter

Exhorters are authorized to preach, serve as evangelists, and serve as Pastor of a church. To make the ministerial credentialing process more efficient, the International Executive Committee appointed a committee to create a digital version of the credentialing process. The process will begin with the New Minister, Calling and Ministry Studies, Exhorter, Minister of Music, and Minister of Christian Education Application and will continue through the Ordained Bishop Exam. It is hoped that the entire process will be completed by the first of 2021.

The Exhorter, Ordained Minister, Ordained Bishop, Minister of Music, and Minister of Christian Education exams are now ready in English. These online exams have been tested and have been well received by all involved — the administrative bishops, state office personnel, and applicants.

Ministerial Internship Program

Completion of the Ministerial Internship Program (MIP) is required prior to obtaining Ordained Minister credentials in the Church of God. MIP provides intensive training under the direction of a supervising pastor for a period of eight months. During the training period, the candidate and spouse follow a daily schedule of spiritual, academic, and physical assignments. This involves completion of four independent study courses. The training also includes eight seminars, periodic evaluations, examinations for the independent study courses, personal counseling, and supervised ministry experience under a mentor.

At the conclusion of the training period, MIP candidates are commissioned and awarded a certificate of completion from Ministerial Development/School of Ministry. All students who successfully complete MIP will also receive 16 hours of credit from the School of Ministry. These CIMS credits may be transferred upon enrollment in any Church of God undergraduate college or university.

Please Search for MIP Instructions Form, Application Form and Internship Placement Form under the FORMS Section of the Website

Ordained Minister

In consideration of this application, the officials of the church will review the effectiveness of your ministry since you were initially endorsed as an Exhorter and will determine your readiness for advancement.

(NOTE: If the applicant is transferring into the Church of God, the applicant must complete an application as a new minister and MUST complete the CAMS Program and Exhorter Application. The applicant’s file will be complete before proceeding with application).

Ordained Bishop

In consideration of your application for the rank of Ordained Bishop, a careful evaluation of your ministerial progress will be made. It is essential that all personal and professional data be current. Consequently, this application will repeat requests for information provided in earlier applications. To qualify for the rank of Ordained Bishop, you must be presently engaged in full-time ministry. The record of your ministry and your present activities in ministry will determine your eligibility for advancement to the highest rank of ministry. (NOTE: If you are transferring into the Church of God, you must complete the CAMS Program, Exhorter and Ordained Minister Credentials).