Gateway
GATEWAY is a process by which those who are involved in ministry at least 30 hours a week in an EFCA church can receive a provisional, one year license while working toward a 3 year license that leads to ordination. Here’s how it works…
For those who are working within EFCAWest churches, you will fill out an evaluation to obtain a provisional license. This evaluation begins with the EFCA Statement of Faith and asks if you are in agreement with the Statement. You will also be asked to describe your call to ministry.
There are 11 questions that must be answered briefly to give the council an idea of your understanding of the primary doctrines of EFCA. At the end of the evaluation are two statements which must be signed. The first statement is that you understand the provisional license is good for one year and the second is that in order to obtain this provisional license you must agree to attend, participate in and do the homework for a series of classes that will systematically help you write your paper for your 3 year license leading to a Certificate of Christian Ministry or a Certificate of Ordination.
These classes will occur either every two months or every three months, depending on the best schedule for the group and the leader. These classes will be facilitated by leaders using a wisdom-based approach that emphasizes learning that results in life change, not just increased gathering of information. The homework will consist of reading and writing in between the actual class meetings so that you are prepared to participate in the theological discussion.
The end result will be a thesis paper and an understanding of the major doctrines of Scripture. Your paper and the discussion during Gateway should prepare you to sit for the 3 year license leading to either a Certificate of Christian Ministry or a Certificate of Ordination. It will also result in a motivation to be a life-long learner who applies what he has learned to all areas of his life.
GATEWAY is just that, a gateway to licensed recognition of your calling, competency and character in ministry. It is a systematic way of working alongside of other brothers to sharpen your mind, your heart and your hands.
If you have questions, you can contact Paul Schliep, Director of Credentialing, at or
You can find out more information on the web by using this link: http://www.efca.org/urban/gateway/index.html o en espanol http://www.efca.org/urban/hispanicministries/espanol/gateway.html
Here is a chart that helps illustrate the process leading to Certification: