So You Want To Be A Minister?
"Every Christian disciple has a ministry, and all who are called to ministry should be accountable. Ministerial credentialing, however, relates to particular vocational calls and carries with it both recognition and accountability...
Credentialing in the Church of God movement may take the form of ordination, licensing, or commissioning. Each requires that certain qualifications be met for ministry requirements and accountability". (See our Criteria Requirements.)
Any South Dakota resident interested in obtaining Church of God credentials may apply by indicating their desire in writing to us.
Letter of Intent and Application for Ministerial Credentials
The ministerial candidate must write a letter of intention to the SD Assembly of the Church of God declaring that he/she feels a divine call to the ministry and desires to pursue recognition as a minister in the Church of God.
The letter of intent should be no more than a paragraph or two and include the following:
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A brief personal testimony of how you came to Christ.
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A brief description of your personal call to ministry.
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Why you feel called to be a Church of God Minister (as opposed to Baptist, Methodist etc.).
Verification to the Call by the Pastor and the Local Church
Upon receipt of the Ministerial Application, the Credentials Board will look to the pastor, three other Church of God ministers, and 3 recognized spiritual leaders in the local church for their verification of his/her call to ministry. The candidate will provide these persons with copies of an evaluation and recommendation form which will assist the Credentials Board in understanding the candidate and his/her qualifications for ministry. Evaluation forms are to be supplied to persons in the congregation individually and sent directly to the SD Assembly by each individual.
Each applicant must supply us with a resume and will be required to complete an application, provide personal references and satisfactorily complete a crimnal background check. More information on the credentialing process can be obtained from the following document:
Credentialing Process for Applicants
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Below are the application forms you can print off and return to the Credentials Chair for processing.
Complete this application packet and return to:
SD CHOG at PO Box 477, Marion, SD 57043.
Distribute this form to the six individuals you listed on the Application Evaluation Survey List in the Application packet. Instruct evaluators to return forms directly to SDCHOG Credentials Committee, PO Box 477, Marion, SD 57043.
Distribute this form to the Church of God Minister whom you have asked to endorse your application for credentials.
The SDCHOG Credentials Committee is responsible for the credentialing process in our state.