TO: Covenant Connections International Ministers
This policy and procedure document supersedes the previous document dated June 1, 2006. And serves as the directive for all ministerial licensing and ordination effective December 1, 2006, unless superseded or amended. This directive governs the ministerial credentialing authority and process in the United States and overseas.
There are three types of credentials:
Exhorter License: This license is presented to an active member of CCI that believes he or she is called into the fivefold ministry, is in good standing with the local church. An exhorter’s license is used to exhort, teach or preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The exhorter’s license does not authorize performing sacerdotal duties and ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, or other ceremonial duties (they can assist a licensed minister in these duties and ceremonies) nor does it permit the wearing of clergy apparel.
Full Minister License: This license is presented to an active member of CCI or a covenant church member that has demonstrated the call to the fivefold ministry, is in good standing with the local church, and has met the guidelines and standards for licensing. A full minister’s license is used to exhort, preach, or teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The minister’s license gives the licensee authority to perform all sacerdotal duties and ceremonies in which they are competently educated and trained, such as weddings, funerals, water baptism, or other ceremonial duties. The licensee is not required to be in a full-time ministerial position to hold this license.
Ordination Certification: This certificate is given to an active licensed minister of CCI or a covenant church member that is in good standing and serving in a full-time ministerial position. An ordained minister is permitted to sit on ministerial credentialing examination boards, to vote in special elections or meetings, and to meet with the Internal Revenue Service as an ordained clergy person.
Licensing Procedures:
Issuance of Licenses:
(1) CCI will provide a license application form to each minister who has satisfactorily fulfilled all requirements for licensure. The applicant must complete the application and return it to CCI. Upon receipt of the application and a passing score, CCI will issue the appropriate license showing the license number and expiration date.
(2) CCI will replace a lost, damaged, or destroyed license upon a written request from the licensee.
Endorsement of Another Ministry’s License:
CCI does not endorse any other ministry’s license or ordination certificate. A person holding a current license as a minister of the gospel issued by another church or denomination, which is acceptable to the licensing office, may apply to transfer their license to CCI. An applicant for a transfer license must meet the same requirements as either an exhorter or minister, under the policy and procedure of CCI. We reserve the right to accept or deny any license transfer.
Surrender of License and Ordination Certificate:
A licensee may at any time voluntarily offer to surrender his or her license for any reason, without compulsion. The license may be delivered to CCI by hand or certified mail.
Formal Disciplinary Action:
(1) If a formal complaint is filed against a licensed minister of CCI an investigation of the complaint will be conducted to determine its validity. If the complaint is found valid, the licensing office of CCI may accept the surrender of the credential and void the license. When the licensee has offered the surrender of his or her license after a complaint has been filed, the licensing office of CCI will consider whether to accept the surrender of the license without a formal hearing.
(2) When the licensing office has accepted such surrender or the surrender is deemed to be the result of a formal disciplinary action, the licensing office will prepare an official letter of acceptance for the record detailing the facts of the case.
Reinstatement:
A license surrendered and accepted or expired for more than one year, will not be reinstated, however, a person may apply for a new license according to this policy.
License Examination Procedures:
All first-time license applicants will sit for a written examination prior to being issued a license. For those who have enrolled in Sonship no written examination is required. The examination will be given to all license applicants irrespective of prior or currently held licenses from other licensing authorities.
Upon receipt of the application, the applicant will be temporarily issued a CD set for study prior to sitting for the examination. Applicants will have 30 days to prepare themselves for the examination. If the applicant has not tested within the 30 days, the CD set will be returned and the application will be placed in suspense for 90 days. Anytime within the 90-day period, the applicant may again request to sit for the examination and the CD set will be reissued for 30 days. If the applicant has not tested at the end of the 90-day suspense time the application will be discarded.
Should applicants fail the first examination, they will be reissued the CD set and be rescheduled for testing within 30 days.
Should applicants fail the examination for the second time, they must wait for six months and then reapply.
The passing score for the licensing examination is 80% correct.
Applicants who are students of Sonship School Of The Firstborn and past the Schools portion of the test with an 80% or higher their scores will be accepted to meet the examination requirement of the license procedure. The following are the topics that must be tested: Toys R Us, before and After the Call, After the Proof of the Call, and Equipment for the ministry.
License Renewal:
General Instructions.
(1) Exhorter’s license: The exhorter’s license does not have expiration. After one-year period, the licensee must apply for a renewal. The licensee can apply for a Full minister’s license if they have received the call into the five-fold ministry. The application of a full license has to be approved by the licensing officer.
(2) Full Minister’s license: The minister’s license certificate does not have an expiration date, but certificates of fellowship cards must be renewed annually upon submission of the renewal. A person whose certificate of fellowship card has expired and not renewed will return his or her credentials to the licensing office at CCI.
(3) Ordination certificate: The Ordination Certificate does not have an expiration date, but must be renewed annually upon submission of the renewal application. A person whose certificate of fellowship card has expired and not renewed will return his or her credentials to the licensing office at CCI.
(4) Each minister who holds a license, ordination certificate, and certificate of fellowship, is responsible for renewing the credentials and will not be excused from paying late renewal fees in addition to the basic renewal fee. Failure to receive notice from the licensing office does not waive payment of late renewal fees.
(5) The licensing office will deny the renewal of the certificate of fellowship of a licensee who is under investigation or not in good standing with CCI, the covenant church or place of service, at the time of application for renewal
(6) A person whose certificate of fellowship has expired will not preach, teach, or do sacerdotal duties and ceremonies under the authority of CCI as a covenant church, or Ministry.
Certificate of Fellowship Renewal:
(1) At least 45 days before the expiration of the Certificate of Fellowship the licensing office will send a courtesy notice. The notice will include the expiration date of the certificate of fellowship, a schedule of the renewal and late fees, and a renewal application.
(2) The certificate of fellowship renewal form will be furnished to licensees eligible for renewal. The form will require the licensee to provide current addresses, telephone numbers, and such information as to their agreement with the Doctrine of Christ and the statement of faith.
(3) A person who renews the certificate of fellowship after the expiration date, but on or within 90 days after the expiration date will pay the late renewal fee.
(4) A person, whose certificate of fellowship was not renewed on or within 90 days of the expiration date, will no longer be licensed with CCI and their license will be voided and revoked.
(5) On or after one year from the expiration date, a person may no longer renew the certificate of fellowship and must reapply by submitting a new application, and meeting the current requirements for license including sitting for the credentialing examination. (Certain exception apply)
6. Ordination for Licensed Ministers:
CCI is the ordaining authority for all licensed ministers within CCI in the United States and overseas.
Licensed ministers desiring ordination will submit an application, for ordination within 45 days of the annual ordination service. The licensing office will review the application for completion and the applicant will be notified in writing when to appear before the ordination committee.
(1) The ordination committee will consist of ordained clergy from CCI. The Bishop of CCI will appoint the committee.
(2) The ordination committee will interview all eligible candidates and submit their recommendation to the appointing authority. A candidate must appear before the ordination committee to be considered for ordination .Certain exceptions may apply.
Ministers licensed by covenant churches desiring to be ordained will contact their pastor for aurthorization.This request must also be submitted by their pastor to the CCI office in writing.
The ordination service will be held annually during The Leaders That Lead Conference. An ordination candidate is required to be present for ordination. Each ordination candidate will be notified of the exact date, time, and any special requirement.
The licensing office may be reached at (254) 547-1413.
1 Attachment
Ministerial Credential Fee Schedule (06/01/2005)
MINISTERIAL CREDENTIAL FEES:
License Fee $150.00
License Renewal late fee :$35.00
Amended on May 2, 2011
*The document supersedes and replaces previous policy and procedures dated June 1, 2006