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Credentialing

We offer training and grant ministerial credentials to those who are called to serve vocationally in Covenant churches or affiliated ministries.

How We Support Vocational Ministry

We provide the relationships and resources you need to thrive as a well formed, equipped, and supported minister.

Call Process

What Is Vocational Ministry?

Vocational ministry begins with a personal sense that God is calling you to be set apart for ministry within and to the body of Christ. This calling must be tested and authenticated by the larger church. When the church affirms this calling, it offers the appropriate credential which endorses you to serve and lead within the various roles of ministry. 

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Licenses

The Evangelical Covenant Church grants annually renewable ministerial licenses upon persons who are called to serve in various pastoral ministries in Covenant churches, institutions, and other approved places of ministry. Licensure is reserved for those who, by demonstration of character and gifts and by virtue of place of service, require credentials in order to perform pastoral ministry.

Ministerial licenses refer to those which are bestowed by laying on of hands at the Covenant Annual Meeting on candidates who have been carefully examined in matters of faith, theology, and call. The licenses available in the Covenant Church are:

  • Ministry license
  • Bi-Vocational ministry license
  • Global service license

Ministry License

Candidates for ordination to word and sacrament, ordination to word and service, transfer of ordination, or commissioning apply for this license while in process. It is the appropriate license for all individuals serving as senior or solo pastors who do not qualify for ordination to word and sacrament. The holder of a ministry license is accountable to a minister ordained to word and sacrament within the local area of service, or to the regional conference superintendent. At the time of a call to another Evangelical Covenant Church congregation or ministry in a different conference, the holder of a ministry license will have an interview with that conference’s committee on ministerial standing. This license is valid for one year and authorizes the holder to perform all ministerial functions, subject to state regulations.

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Bi-Vocational Ministry License

The bi-vocational ministry license (BVL) shall provide credentials for those persons who are involved in the pastoral ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church while also engaged in secular work as the major source of livelihood. It may also be appropriate for persons serving a Covenant congregation or institution part-time. This license shall be valid for one year and authorizes the holder to preach the gospel and exercise pastoral leadership. A bi-vocational minister may administer the sacraments and perform other pastoral acts when circumstances require, with the approval of the minister ordained to word and sacrament within the congregation or the superintendent of the regional conference. Those holding a BVL and receiving pay may qualify for the clergy tax benefit for the funds paid directly for pastoral ministry. The BVL does not require participation in the pension program of the Covenant.

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Global Service License

The Global Service License (GSL) is for persons who are called to be global personnel (missionaries) by the Evangelical Covenant Church. It is intended to provide credentials for those who do not qualify for ordination to word and sacrament, ordination to word and service, or commissioning but are serving as Covenant global personnel. This license is valid for the duration of the global personnel’s call and authorizes the holder to perform appropriate functions, subject to government regulations.

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Permanent Credentials

The Evangelical Covenant Church maintains high standards for its ministerial credentials, recognizing that those who are called and gifted to serve in vocational ministry are trusted with sacred responsibilities. We strongly believe that the call to such ministry is discerned not only individually, but corporately. Candidates for credentialing in the Covenant must demonstrate a multi-voiced call, receiving the affirmation of the local church, the regional conference, and the denomination.

In order to seek permanent credentialing in the Covenant Church, you must:

  • be called to ministry,
  • be affirmed by the church or ministry setting, and
  • be enrolled in the Covenant Pension Plan or Ministers’ 403(b) plan.
    (if serving a Covenant church/institution)

 

Permanent credentials refer to those which are bestowed by laying on of hands at the Annual Meeting of the denomination on candidates who have been carefully examined in matters of faith, theology, and call.

The permanent credentials in the Covenant Church are:

  • Ordination to word and sacrament
  • Ordination to word and service
  • Commissioning
  • Consecrated to global service

 

Each credential is appropriate to specific callings within the structure of a church or other ministry setting.

The Evangelical Covenant Church accepts transfer of ordination candidates for both ordinations offered.

Ordination to Word and Service

Those ordained to word and service are called broadly to preach and teach, administer the sacraments, and be involved in the life of the whole church. Within that context, they are called to serve in an area of specialty. Their call includes being a leader in their area of specialty to the local church and the church at large. They are in service together with the person ordained to word and sacrament whose leadership and care exercises oversight of the congregation’s entire ministry. Their training comes from broad theological work, usually a master’s degree in a theological discipline, or a secular master’s degree with additional theological studies. Those seeking ordination to word and service normally hold a ministry license while working toward this credential.

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Ordination to Word and Sacrament

When the church ordains to word and sacrament, it sets apart persons with the authority to preach and teach the word, administer the sacraments and rites of the church, and exercise pastoral care and leadership. Theologically, the question is, ordained to what end? The end or purpose is that to which the person senses a call and the church, by its designated processes, attests that such a call has been discerned appropriately. The person responding to this call has a broad classical theological education, usually a master of divinity, and holds the church true to the whole gospel. He or she functions as theologian in residence and missional leader, overseeing, empowering, and enabling all forms of the church’s ministry. This office is performed in three areas of competency: preaching well, teaching well, and caring well. The emphasis on word and sacrament through all aspects of ministry ensures that the basic apostolic vocation keeps the beginnings of the faith alive in whatever contemporary configurations emerge in the various ministries of the church. Those seeking ordination to word and sacrament normally hold a ministry license while working toward this credential.

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Commissioning

The word commission is defined as “an authorization to perform certain duties or tasks or to take on certain powers.” To commission is to “send with a mandate or authority; to empower; to delegate.” In the Evangelical Covenant Church, we commission individuals called to a particular area of expertise to perform those duties within the context of the larger church. This call is seen as a long-term commitment to an area of staff ministry. The focus is primarily on their specialty, giving them a single purpose rather than broad-based contribution to the life of the church. The church recognizes these individuals as qualified in their particular task and sends them out to serve in this role. A commissioned person understands the parameters and limitations of the call and recognizes that it is always done standing with an ordained person. There is a co-mission aspect to the call necessitating this relationship with a team leader. The normative threshold of education is a bachelor’s degree with additional academic work in theology at the graduate level. Those seeking commissioning normally hold a ministry license while working toward this credential.

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Consecrated to Global Service

Consecration to global service in the Evangelical Covenant Church is an act of the church by which a person called by God is recognized and set apart for global service. The Covenant consecrates only after determining through careful examination that the candidate has been called of God, is genuinely committed to the apostolic message, lives in conformity to it, and is gifted for the specific service to which they are called. In consecration the church gratefully accepts the person as one called by God and given to the church to minister in the spirit of Christ. The Covenant consecrates the global personnel to be the servant of the gospel by word and deed through the global work of the Covenant and its partners. The consecrated to global service credential is appropriate for global personnel who do not meet the educational requirements of the other permanent credentialing categories of ordination to word and sacrament, ordination to word and service, and commissioning. 

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Transfer of Ordination

Pastors who are ordained in another denomination and who currently serve a Covenant church or institution may be eligible for transfer of ordination to the Evangelical Covenant Church. It is possible to transfer an ordination into either category of ordination: ordained to word and sacrament or ordained to word and service. The decision to which ordination standing one can transfer will be made after examining a) the nature of the pastor’s current ordination, b) how that pastor understands his/her calling, and c) the pastor’s educational preparation for ordination. The following guidelines are to assist in discerning which category of ordination to pursue.

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What Is Vocational Ministry?

The credentialing and endorsement process is crucial in creating a healthy context for ministry. This process makes the pastor accountable to the local church and denomination as well as to the community of pastors in the Covenant Ministerium.

The Evangelical Covenant Church grants or revokes credentials to ministers and establishes programs to encourage ministers in discipleship and in their calling. The Covenant establishes the Rules for the Ordered Ministry and administers them through the Board of the Ordered Ministry and the Covenant Ministerium.

Credentialing in the Covenant begins at the conference level. If you feel ready to begin the process, please contact your regional conference office. The Covenant grants several different types of credentials. Some are permanent credentials and some are annually renewable credentials (licenses).

Ministry License

Eligibility

The ministry license is intended for persons serving at least 20 hours a week in Covenant congregations, Covenant institutions, or other approved ministries and organizations. The license is for those involved in pastoral ministry who also fulfill sacramental and other pastoral functions. To qualify for a license, a candidate must demonstrate significant involvement in a majority of the following areas: administering
the sacraments; conducting worship services; providing spiritual leadership; participating in the preaching and teaching ministry of the church; providing pastoral care; managing in a local congregation or institution of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Requirements

  • Membership in a Covenant congregation
  • Within eight years of the initial receipt of this license, demonstrate completion of graduate-level survey courses in Old Testament, New Testament, systematic theology, and church history. Each of these courses shall be at least three semester hours (or its equivalent). If the candidate has not already completed the courses at a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, they shall be taken for credit from North Park Theological Seminary (or Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos, as appropriate), unless the candidate is actively enrolled in a degree program at another ATS-accredited seminary, in which case the courses may be taken at that seminary. Progress on this program of study must be reported annually to the Ordered Ministry to maintain standing.
  • Enrollment in Covenant Orientation (if not attending North Park Theological Seminary)
  • Participation in the Covenant Pension Plan or the Ministers’ 403(b) plan if serving a Covenant church/institution.
  • Submission of a completed Minister’s Profile Form, signed baptism statement, disclosure form, criminal record screening, and licensing paper.
  • Note: there is no minimum education threshold for this license. Persons with any level of educational background may apply.

Procedure

  • Once the candidate meets the requirements for the credential, he or she contacts the conference office for a license packet.
  • The conference office sends the packet to the candidate.
  • The candidate completes all necessary paperwork, making sure to sign the license application, check all boxes, and obtain the signature of the local church chairperson on the back of the application. He or she then returns all paperwork to the conference office.
  • The conference office confirms that all paperwork is included and complete. If necessary, the conference office contacts the candidate to inform him or her of anything missing.
  • The conference committee on ministerial standing interviews the candidate in the fall or spring, using the licensing paper as the basis for the interview. The committee makes its recommendation.
  • Once the candidate has received a favorable interview, the conference office makes copies for its records, then sends all originals to the Ordered Ministry office.
  • At this time, Ordered Ministry will issue an interim license, which will be in effect until the candidate is approved at the Covenant Annual Meeting (Interim licenses expire on June 30.)
  • To receive a first-time license, the candidate must receive a favorable recommendation from the Board of the Ordered Ministry, a favorable recommendation from the regional conference ministerial association at its annual meeting, approval of the Covenant Ministerium, and approval of the Covenant Annual Meeting.
  • The Ordered Ministry sends out license certificates in July.
  • Each spring, the conference office sends out applications for renewal of licenses.
  • The conference committee on ministerial standing will re-interview the candidate every three years as long as he or she holds a license.

Bivocational Ministry License

Eligibility

Bivocational ministry license applicants must be a member in a Covenant congregation and must have a call to a Covenant church or other approved ministry. To qualify for a license, a candidate must demonstrate significant involvement in a majority of the following areas: administering the sacraments; conducting worship services; providing spiritual leadership; participating in the preaching and teaching ministry of the church; providing pastoral care; managing in a local congregation or institution of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Requirements

  • Read four books from the bivocational minister’s reading list each year and submit a report on each book along with the annual application for license in order to qualify for renewal.
  • Within two years of receipt of license, complete the Vocational Excellence class through Covenant Orientation.
  • Submit a completed Minister’s Profile Form, signed baptism statement, disclosure form, criminal record screening, and licensing paper.

 

Procedure

  • Once the candidate meets the requirements for the credential, he or she contacts the conference office for a license packet.
  • The conference office sends the packet to the candidate.
  • The candidate completes all necessary paperwork, making sure to sign the license application, check all boxes, and obtain the signature of the local church chairperson on the back of the application. He or she then returns all paperwork to the conference office.
  • The conference office confirms that all paperwork is included and complete. If necessary, the conference office contacts the candidate to inform him or her of anything missing.
  • The conference committee on ministerial standing interviews the candidate in the fall or spring, using the licensing paper as the basis for the interview. The committee makes its recommendation.
  • Once the candidate has received a favorable interview, the conference office makes copies for its records, then sends all originals to the Ordered Ministry office.
  • At this time, Ordered Ministry will issue an interim license, which will be in effect until the candidate is approved at the Covenant Annual Meeting. (Interim licenses expire on June 30.)
  • To receive a first-time license, the candidate must receive a favorable recommendation from the Board of the Ordered Ministry, a favorable recommendation from the regional conference ministerial association at its annual meeting, approval of the Covenant Ministerium, and approval of the Covenant Annual Meeting.
  • The Ordered Ministry sends out license certificates in July.
  • Each spring, the conference office sends out applications for renewal of licenses.
  • The conference committee on ministerial standing will re-interview the candidate every three years as long as he or she holds a license.

Global Service License

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive the GSL, a person must be called to serve as global personnel (missionary) in the Evangelical Covenant Church

 

Requirements

  • Membership in a Covenant congregation
  • Participation in the Global Service orientation program recommended by the Serve Globally Committee of the Covenant Executive Board and approved by the Board of the Ordered Ministry.
  • Submit a completed Minister’s Profile Form, signed baptism statement and background check, criminal record screening, and licensing paper.

 

Procedure

  • Once the candidate meets the requirements for the credential, he or she contacts Serve Globally for a license packet.
  • Serve Globally sends the packet to the candidate.
  • The candidate completes all necessary paperwork, making sure to sign the license application and check all boxes. He or she then returns all paperwork to Serve Globally.
  • Serve Globally confirms that all paperwork is included and complete. If necessary, they contact the candidate to inform him or her of any missing items.
  • The Serve Globally Committee on Ministerial Standing interviews the candidate. The committee makes its recommendation.
  • Once the candidate has received a favorable interview, Serve Globally makes copies of all license paperwork for its records, and sends all originals to the Ordered Ministry office.
  • At this time, Ordered Ministry will issue the license. The license should be renewed annually as long as the candidate is eligible.

Ordination to Word and Service

Eligibility

Those who seek to be ordained to word and service are usually called to staff ministry and have a master’s level training from a seminary or a secular master’s plus a year of theological education. They hold coursework in an area of specialization. Candidates must meet the following requirements in order to be ordained to word and service:

  • Be engaged in full-time staff ministry. The candidate serving in a non-ministry position shall demonstrate its relationship to a local Covenant congregation.
  • Be a member of a Covenant congregation.

 

In addition, candidates shall have completed one of the following courses of preparation in order to be ordained to word and service.

  • A master of arts degree from a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (a program comprised of 48 semester hours or its equivalent) with an appropriate area of specialization totaling 12 semester credit hours or the equivalent.
  • A master of divinity degree from a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools with an appropriate area of specialization.
  • A non-theological master’s degree in the area of specialization, and at least one year of full-time graduate theological studies (24 semester hours or the equivalent) taken for credit from a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. Courses of preparation shall include survey courses in systematic theology, Old Testament, New Testament, and church history. (Candidates preparing for ministry primarily in the Latino community, and for whom Spanish is the primary language, may receive their training in specialized ministry from Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos.)

Requirements

  • Complete at least two years of successful full-time ministry prior to ordination.
  • Complete a year of residency at North Park Theological Seminary or complete Covenant Orientation. (Candidates preparing for ministry primarily in the Latino community, and for whom Spanish is the primary language, may receive their training from Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos.) Please note: Those enrolled in Covenant Orientation must complete Vocational Excellence and Theology of the Covenant prior to being invited into the ordination process.
  • Spend two years in a mentoring relationship approved by the Ordered Ministry.
  • Participate in the Covenant Pension Plan or the Ministers’ 403(b) plan if serving a Covenant church or institution.
  • Submit a completed Minister’s Profile Form, signed baptism statement, disclosure form, and criminal record screening.
  • Holding a license is a prerequisite for ordination to word and service.

 

Procedure

Once the candidate has completed the above requirements, he or she notifies the Ordered Ministry and is placed on the ordination candidate list. If you would like to verify whether your name is on the list of potential candidates, please contact the Ordered Ministry. Note that the ordination process takes about a year and always culminates with the service of ordination, commissioning, and consecration at the Covenant Annual Meeting each June. Therefore, if a candidate wishes to be ordained in any given June, he or she must enter into the process no later than July 15 of the previous year.

  • The Ordered Ministry sends all potential candidates an email in June asking them to formally enter the process to be ordained to word and service at next year’s Annual Meeting.
  • The candidate responds before July 15.
  • The Ordered Ministry sends all candidates the required paperwork for the process, including an application for ordination to word and service, instructions for an example of proclamation, and questions for the final ordination/commissioning/transfer paper.
  • The candidate sends the completed ordination application (including recommendation of the Covenant church where membership is held), final paper, and example of proclamation to the conference office by August 15.
  • The candidate is interviewed by the conference committee on ministerial standing in the fall. The candidate must have a favorable interview with the conference committee on ministerial standing in order to move forward in the process.
  • The Board of the Ordered Ministry interviews the candidate at its Midwinter meeting and makes a recommendation.
  • The candidate must receive a favorable recommendation from the Board of the Ordered Ministry, a favorable recommendation from the regional conference ministerial association at its annual meeting, approval of the Covenant Ministerium, and approval of the Covenant Annual Meeting.
  • The candidate must participate in the service of ordination, commissioning, and consecration at the Covenant Annual Meeting.

Ordination to Word and Sacrament

Eligibility

Those who seek to be ordained to word and sacrament are usually called to ministry as lead or solo pastor and have a master of divinity degree. Candidates must meet the following in order to be eligible for ordination to word and sacrament:

  • Be engaged in a paid, called pastoral ministry position. The candidate serving in a non-pastoral ministry position shall demonstrate its relationship to a local Covenant congregation.
  • Hold a master of divinity degree from a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (submit transcripts).
  • Be a member of a Covenant congregation

 

Requirements

  • Complete at least two years of paid ministry experience prior to ordination
  • Complete a year of residency at North Park Theological Seminary or complete Covenant Orientation. (Candidates preparing for ministry primarily in the Latino community, and for whom Spanish is the primary language, may receive their training from Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos.) Please note: Those enrolled in Covenant Orientation must complete Vocational Excellence and Theology of the Covenant prior to being invited into the ordination process.
  • Spend two years in a mentoring relationship approved by the Ordered Ministry.
  • Participate in the Covenant Pension Plan or the Ministers’ 403(b) plan if serving a Covenant church or institution.
  • Submit a completed Minister’s Profile Form, signed baptism statement, disclosure form, and criminal record screening.
  • Holding a license is a prerequisite for ordination to word and sacrament.

 

Procedure

Once the candidate has completed the above requirements, he or she notifies the Ordered Ministry and is placed on the ordination candidate list. If you would like to verify whether your name is on the list of potential candidates, please contact the Ordered Ministry. Note that the ordination process takes about a year and always culminates with the service of ordination, commissioning, and consecration at the Covenant Annual Meeting each June. Therefore, if a candidate wishes to be ordained in any given June, he or she must enter into the process no later than July 15 of the previous year.

  • The Ordered Ministry sends all potential candidates an email in June asking them to formally enter the process to be ordained to word and sacrament at next year’s Annual Meeting.
  • The candidate responds before July 15.
  • The Ordered Ministry sends all candidates the required paperwork for the process, including an application for ordination to word and sacrament, instructions for the example of proclamation, and questions for the final ordination/commissioning/transfer paper.
  • The candidate sends the completed ordination application (including recommendation of Covenant church where membership is held), final paper, and example of proclamation to the conference office by August 15.
  • The candidate is interviewed by the conference committee on ministerial standing in the fall. The candidate must have a favorable interview with the conference committee on ministerial standing in order to move forward in the process.
  • The Board of the Ordered Ministry interviews the candidate at its Midwinter meeting and makes a recommendation.
  • The candidate must receive a favorable recommendation from the Board of the Ordered Ministry, a favorable recommendation from the regional conference ministerial association at its annual meeting, approval of the Covenant Ministerium, and approval of the Covenant Annual Meeting.
  • The candidate must participate in the service of ordination, commissioning, and consecration at the Covenant Annual Meeting.

Commissioning

Eligibility

Those who seek commissioning are called to staff ministry, have bachelor’s-level training in an area of specialization, and do not wish to pursue a master’s degree. Candidates must meet the following requirements in order to be commissioned:

  • Be engaged in full-time staff ministry. The candidate serving in a non-ministry position shall demonstrate its relationship to a local Covenant congregation.
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, including 12 semester hours in an area of specialization.
  • Be a member of a Covenant congregation.

 

Requirements

  • Complete five years of successful full-time staff ministry prior to commissioning, three years of which must be in a Covenant congregation or institution.
  • Take additional graduate-level courses from a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. This coursework must include survey courses in systematic theology, Old Testament, New Testament, and church history. Each course must be three semester hours or equivalent.
  • Complete Covenant Orientation. (Candidates preparing for ministry primarily in the Latino community, and for whom Spanish is the primary language, may receive their training from Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos.) Please note: Those enrolled in Covenant Orientation must complete Vocational Excellence and Theology of the Covenant prior to being invited into the commissioning process.
  • Spend two years in a mentoring relationship approved by the Ordered Ministry.
  • Participate in the Covenant Pension Plan or the Ministers’ 403(b) plan if serving a Covenant church/institution.
  • Submit a completed Minister’s Profile Form, signed baptism statement, disclosure form, and criminal record screening.
  • Holding a license is a prerequisite for commissioning.

 

Procedure

Once the candidate has completed the above requirements, he or she notifies the Ordered Ministry and is placed on the commissioning candidate list. If you would like to verify whether your name is on the list of potential candidates, please contact the Ordered Ministry. Note that the commissioning process takes about a year and always culminates with the service of ordination, commissioning, and consecration at the Covenant Annual Meeting in June. Therefore, if a candidate wishes to be commissioned in any given June, he or she must enter into the process no later than July 15 the previous year.

  • The Ordered Ministry sends all potential candidates an email in June asking them to formally enter the process to be commissioned at next year’s Annual Meeting.
  • The candidate responds before July 15.
  • The Ordered Ministry sends all candidates the required paperwork for the process, including an application for commissioning and questions for the final ordination/commissioning/transfer paper.
  • The candidate sends the completed commissioning application (including recommendation of Covenant church where membership is held) and final paper to the conference office by August 15.
  • The candidate is interviewed by the conference committee on ministerial standing in the fall. The candidate must have a favorable interview with the conference committee on ministerial standing in order to move forward in the process.
  • The Board of the Ordered Ministry interviews the candidate at its Midwinter meeting and makes a recommendation.
  • The candidate must receive a favorable recommendation from the Board of the Ordered Ministry, a favorable recommendation from the regional conference ministerial association at its annual meeting, approval of the Covenant Ministerium, and approval of the Covenant Annual Meeting.
  • The candidate must participate in the service of ordination, commissioning, and consecration at the Covenant Annual Meeting.

Consecrated To Global Service

Eligibility

Those who seek to be consecrated to global service are called to long-term missions work through Serve Globally. Candidates must meet the following requirements in order to be consecrated to global service:

  • Be approved for global service by the Serve Globally Committee of the Covenant Executive Board.
  • Complete the educational requirements for consecrated global personnel. (These requirements are determined by the Serve Globally Committee of the Executive Board and the Board of the Ordered Ministry.)
  • Be a member of a Covenant congregation.

 

Requirements

  • Previous experience as Covenant global personnel.
  • Completion of the required orientation program for global personnel of the Covenant.
  • Participation in the Covenant Pension Plan or the Ministers’ 403(b) plan.
  • Submit a completed Minister’s Profile Form, signed baptism statement, disclosure form, and criminal record screening.

 

Procedure

Once the candidate has completed the above requirements, he or she notifies the Ordered Ministry and Serve Globally. If you would like to verify whether your name is on the list of potential candidates, please contact the Ordered Ministry or Serve Globally. Note that the consecration process takes about a year and always culminates with the service of ordination, commissioning, and consecration at the Covenant Annual Meeting in June. Therefore, if a candidate wishes to be consecrated to global service in any given June, he or she must enter into the process no later than July 15 the previous year.

  • The Ordered Ministry sends all potential candidates a letter in June asking if they wish to be consecrated at next year’s Annual Meeting.
  • The candidate responds to the letter before July 15.
  • The Ordered Ministry sends all candidates an application for consecration and questions for the final paper.
  • The candidate sends the completed application for consecration and final paper to Serve Globally by the due date (sometime in the fall).
  • The Serve Globally committee on ministerial standing interviews the candidate in the fall. The candidate must have a favorable interview with the committee on ministerial standing in order to move forward in the process.
  • The Board of the Ordered Ministry interviews the candidate at its Midwinter meeting and makes a recommendation.
  • The candidate must receive a favorable recommendation from the Board of the Ordered Ministry, a favorable recommendation from the Serve Globally Committee of the Executive Board, approval of the Covenant Ministerium, and approval of the Covenant Annual Meeting.
  • The candidate must participate in the service of ordination, commissioning, and consecration at the Covenant Annual Meeting.

Transfer Of Ordination

Eligibility

A pastor may be eligible to transfer to ordained to word and service if:

  • The pastor is currently ordained in a recognized denomination. (The Board of the Ordered Ministry determines whether to recognize an ordaining body.)
  • The pastor understands his or her calling as one to staff ministry in a specific area of specialization.
  • The pastor has completed a 48-hour theological master’s degree, including 12 semester hours in an area of specialization or equivalent as determined by the Board of the Ordered Ministry.

 

A pastor may be eligible to transfer to ordained to word and sacrament if:

  • The pastor is currently ordained in a recognized denomination. (The Board of the Ordered Ministry determines whether to recognize an ordaining body.)
  • The pastor understands his or her calling as functioning as the theologian in residence and missional leader, overseeing, empowering, and enabling all forms of the church’s ministry.
  • The pastor has completed a master of divinity degree or equivalent as determined by the Board of the Ordered Ministry.

 

Requirements

The candidate shall submit the following paperwork to his or her conference office:

  • All paperwork required for the ministry license (statement of faith paper, baptism statement, disclosure form, criminal record screening, and Minister’s Profile Form). Transfer of ordination candidates normally hold and renew the ministry license while working toward completing the requirements for transfer, such as Covenant Orientation or other educational requirements.
  • Educational transcripts
  • Photocopy of ordination certificate
  • Letter of good standing from ordaining denomination

The candidate must also:

  • Be a member of a Covenant church.
  • Have received a call to a Covenant church or other approved ministry.
  • Enroll in and complete Covenant Orientation. (Candidates preparing for ministry primarily in the Latino community, and for whom Spanish is the primary language, may complete orientation studies through Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos.) Please note: Those enrolled in Covenant Orientation must complete Vocational Excellence and Theology of the Covenant prior to being invited into the finalization process.
  • Enroll in the Covenant Pension Plan or the Ministers’ 403(b) plan if serving a Covenant church/institution.
  • Holding a license is a prerequisite for transfer of ordination.

 

Procedure

Once the candidate has completed the above requirements, he or she notifies the Ordered Ministry and is placed on the transfer of ordination candidate list. If you would like to verify whether your name is on the list of potential candidates, please contact the Ordered Ministry. Note that the finalization of transfer of ordination process takes about a year and always culminates with the service of ordination, commissioning, and consecration at the Covenant Annual Meeting in June. Therefore, if a candidate wishes to transfer ordination in any given June, he or she must enter into the process no later than July 15 the previous year.

  • The Ordered Ministry sends all potential candidates an email in June asking them to formally enter the process to finalize their transfer of ordination at next year’s Annual Meeting.
  • The candidate responds by July 15.
  • The candidate must complete Covenant Orientation at or before the Midwinter of the year he/she plans to finalize transfer of ordination.
  • The Ordered Ministry sends all candidates the required paperwork for the process, including an application for transfer of ordination and questions for the final ordination/commissioning/transfer paper.
  • The candidate sends the completed paperwork to the conference office by August 15.
  • The candidate is interviewed by the conference committee on ministerial standing in the fall. The candidate must have a favorable interview with the conference committee on ministerial standing in order to move forward in the process.
  • The Board of the Ordered Ministry interviews the candidate at its Midwinter meeting and makes a recommendation.
  • The candidate must receive a favorable recommendation from the Board of the Ordered Ministry, a favorable recommendation from the regional conference ministerial association at its annual meeting, approval of the Covenant Ministerium, and approval of the Covenant Annual Meeting.
  • The candidate must participate in the service of ordination, commissioning, and consecration at the Covenant Annual Meeting.
Covenant A-Z

Lina Sánchez-Herrera

Chicago West Suburbs, Illinois

ECC Conference: Central
Gender: Female

Email Lina

AVAILABILITY

Receiving New Directees: Yes
Directing Clergy: Yes
Client Genders: Both men and women
Skype or Facetime: Yes
Languages: English, Spanish
Retreat/Workshop Leader: Yes

CERTIFICATION FROM

C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction, North Park Theological Seminary

AREAS OF INTEREST

Pastors/Church Leadership, Missionaries, University Students, Discernment Process, Transitions, Multi-Ethnic Issues, Second Half of Life, Prayer, Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

Prior to moving to the USA, I was a professor at the National University of Colombia and served with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Colombia for 16 years. Starting in 2001, I served as InterVarsity National Staff in the USA. I have a master’s degree in Christian Ministries, and I serve in Spiritual Direction to those who want to be fully present and available to God and receive His grace over them. My joy is to see professors and college students coming to know Jesus and being transformed into people that bring the good news of righteousness and justice to others.

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