Ministry Credentials
MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALS OFFERED THROUGH THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN CANADA INCLUDE:
* Licensing and Ordination
* Certified Pastoral Counselor
* Certified Christian Worker
Ministerial Credentials offered through The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada (Christian Disciples) is a partnership between the local church and the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada in which the God-given leadership gifts (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher) a believer is exercising are recognized. These leadership gifts may be exercised in any number of roles, such as: local churches, house-church networks, small groups, evangelism, missionaries, prison, hospital, police, military, hospice, and transport for Christ chaplaincy, Senior pastor, music directors, counselors, children and youth pastors, assistant pastors, bi-vocational pastors and ministers, music directors. These roles can be found in para-church organizations, market place ministries, counseling agencies, parachurch ministries, which are found as ministries in the local church, and also those who work and minister in other denominations.
The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada ministerial credentials enables the local church and this fellowship to affirm the Christian character, testimony, and spiritual maturity of its clergy, and to extend authority to those who minister in the exercising of servant leadership within The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada. Ministerial credentials affirms the presence of spiritual qualities of leadership as found in the New testament pattern of the church. This spiritual covering extends legal status in exercise of the person's ministry which marks the completion of preliminary and preparatory steps for a person and a progression beyond a license. Its also testifies the concurrence of the minister and the denominational body affirming the gift-mix of the servant, continuity in ministry, and a level of maturity achieved. The ecclesiastical body of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada is made up of clergy who are serving other denominational and independent church bodies, and fellowships while holding ministerial credentials with the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada.
ELIGIBILITY FOR MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALS
Ministerial Credentials are supervised by Central Office. Each candidate for credentials must meet the following minimum requirements: Subscribe to the Doctrinal Statement; Agree to the Ministerial Code of Ethics & Ministerial Covenant for accountability purposes. Each candidate must have ongoing, active practical ministerial experience from two to four years (if possible), Meet educational requirements as established by the Credentials Committee; Training is provided; Interview in-person or by telephone with the District Superintendent and with the Credentials Standing Committee. Please note that each candidate is assessed on PERSONAL MERIT while Bible college training may be arranged to meet the requirements of the General Council of the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada for ordination, licensing and Certification in Ministry. Ordinations, Licensing and the Certified in Christian Workers are generally performed at the Annual General Conference or District events. Other exceptions for private ordinations and licensing are made in writing to Central Office. Ordained, licensing and Certified Christian Worker candidates will have the opportunity to attend an Orientation Seminar where they will be given an orientation manual to familiarize themselves with the policies and the by-laws of the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada. The Ministerial Examination Committee has the responsibility to read all documents submitted as part of the requirements for credentialing, and those candidates who were ordained or licensed with an ordaining agency or body other than the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada will obtain a letter of recommendation regarding his Christian character and ministry effectiveness from that ordaining agency or body and forward it to Central Office. It is hoped that the attainment of the standards listed above will give credibility, integrity and academic competence to those serving in The Evangelical Christian Christian Church in Canada
Certified Christian Worker
In some special cases, we will issue an individual a "Certified Christian Worker" certificate. This is done only when requested by a pastor or mentor on behalf of someone who they feel has a potential calling on their life, and is making preparation to fulfill that calling. It acknowledges their willingness to work in ministry under the supervision of the pastor and the local church leadership, until such time they are recommended for regular ministerial credentials or meet the requirements of the Credentials Standing Committee. Christian Worker credentials may be issued to a person who has a call on his/her life to work for the Lord. Those candidates who are found as a Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Church Administrator, Hospital or Nursing Home Ministry, House-to-House Visitation, Altar Worker, Street and Jail Ministry, or an other ministry may be approved by the Credentials Standing Committee for this credential.
License
A license will be granted to persons who are engaged in pastoring, preaching or evangelizing. Those who have been licensed by a recognized organization or denomination will also meet that requirement. If possible, applicants should submit copies of a former license when applying to The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada. License granted by The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada entitles the holder to perform all the church functions, including baptism, burial services, the Lord's Supper, and allows them to also use the title "Reverend." The license holder is not authorized to perform the marriage ceremony unless it is granted on a temporary basis at the discretion of the Credentials Standing Committee.
Ordination
The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada considers ordination to be a very serious ordinance. If the applicant is an ordained minister, then a copy or other proof of ordination must accompany the application during the time of interview. The candidate must meet the requirements of the Evangelical Christian Church. Only credentials obtained through a recognized organization or denomination will be considered for transfer. All documents must be submitted to the Ministerial Examination Committee. Candidates for ordination will be also be accepted upon Christian maturity and show that their activities and training is needed for this important status.
Certified Pastoral Counselor
The Certify Pastoral Counselor certificate is the recognition of qualified pastoral mental health service provider where individuals must develop and maintain skills in two distinct areas - counseling in ministry. The candidate must hold an ordination certificate from a reputable denomination or organization, and must have the necessary counseling education, or be willing to take an intense certificate course from Waterloo Bible College. (The candidate must be ordained for this credential)
United States and International candidates apply with our sister denomination,
The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) U.S.A. - Dr. Gary Barkman, Archbishop, International Office Address: P.O Box 742, Granbury, TX 76048 Telephone: 817-768-8407 Cell: 817-219-7007 Email: aactoffice@yahoo.com Websites: http://eccdayspringmi.com
There is a one-time application fee, and an annual renewal fee, which is submitted with an annual ministerial report. If you have any questions about filling out the application form, please give us a call. We are here to make ministry possible.
Downloadable Application form (ECC in Canada)
(Adobe Acrobat Reader required - free download available here)
