Certificate of Ordination

Full text of Steps to Credentialing

This credential is designed specifically for those involved in pastoral ministry.

Requirements for Ordination:

The ordination credential may be issued to candidates who (1) are male in gender; (2) are involved in pastoral ministry (seminary professors, military chaplains and missionary church planters are also eligible); (3) have completed an M.Div. degree or its equivalent in an evangelical seminary (unless an exception is made by the Board of Ministerial Standing in recognition of the candidate's knowledge and experience); (4) have completed the requirements for a ministerial license; (5) have been approved by an examining council; and (6) have demonstrated gifts in ministry to the satisfaction of the Board of Ministerial Standing.

Preparation for Ordination:

The candidate for ordination must have held a ministry license for one full licensing period of three years in The Evangelical Free Church of America. (This requirement may be waived in certain situations for military chaplains who are assured a chaplain's appointment.)

Tenure of Ordination:

Ordination is the bestowal of a trust upon those who are called by God to public ministry. This trust remains with the person as long as he continues in ministry and fulfills the standards of ministry as outlined in Sections I, II, and III in Steps Toward Credentialing. Should the person leave the ministry or cease to be a member in good standing of an Evangelical Free Church, he must place his ordination in trust with The Evangelical Free Church of America. Should he re-enter the ministry at a later date, the Board of Ministerial Standing may request reexamination before returning the credential.

Transfer of Ordination:

An evangelical minister seeking transfer of ordination to The Evangelical Free Church of America shall meet the same qualifications and follow the same procedure as set forth in Sections III and IV, except that he need not go through the licensing procedure.The applicant shall seek to supply a letter of recommendation from some official or board of his previous affiliation. He must be a member of an Evangelical Free Church and must have served one year with The Evangelical Free Church of America before the transfer of ordination can be completed. An applicant not serving a Free Church as pastor and wishing to transfer his ordination must be a member in good standing of a local Evangelical Free Church for at least one year.