MINISTERIAL LICENSURE
Step 1: Obtain and complete an application from the Church of God State office (423) 892-4831
Step 2: Apply for an interview with the Ministerial Development Committee
(Download Interview Request Form).
More complete information is found below.
Please feel free to contact Dr. Jimmy DuPree, who will guide you through the process.
The Church of God recognizes the following ranks of clergy ministry: Exhorter, Ordained Minister and Ordained Bishop. With each rank and specialization come certain privileges and responsibilities proper to its function in the church. All ranks are bound by the rulings of the General Assembly in matters of faith, practice, and polity.
Graduation from the Seminary entitles you to an exemption from one written exam, provided that you are recommended by the Ministerial Development Committee.
The following qualifications apply to all orders of ministry.
•The applicant must be a loyal member of a local congregation of the Church of God.
•The applicant must be faithful in tithing.
•The applicant must have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
•The marital status of the applicant and spouse must be above question. (If either husband or wife has been previously married, special forms must be completed before the licensing process can proceed. Forms are available from the Church of God state office, (423) 892-4831.
•For further description of qualification and privileges of each rank of ministry, see the Minutes of the General Assembly of the Church of God.
APPLYING FOR INITIAL RANK OF EXHORTER
•Application forms may be obtained from the Church of God state office (423-892-4831) or from Dr. Jimmy Dupree.
•Candidate and pastor complete the "Application for New Minister" forms.
•If candidate and/or spouse is divorced and remarried, complete the questionnaire concerning divorce and remarriage (forms 1-5). After obtaining the necessary approvals, proceed with the next step.
•Complete exhorter rank application; submit a photocopy to Dr. Jimmy Dupree and mail the original to the Church of God State Office.
•After the state overseer has approved the application, he will notify the local church to set forth the applicant for the rank of Exhorter.
•Upon authorization by the the state overseer, the applicant will request an interview with the Seminary Ministerial Development Board. (Download Interview Request Form).
•If the candidate is approved by the Ministerial Development Committee, the Seminary will forward a letter of recommendation to the state overseer.
•The state overseer will issue the Exhorter's License.
APPLYING FOR A PROMOTION IN RANK TO ORDAINED MINISTER
•Application forms may be obtained from the Church of God state office (423-892-4831) or from Dr. Jimmy Dupree
•Obtain the recommendation of local pastor and/or district overseer.
•Complete the application forms for the rank of Ordained Minister; submit a photocopy to Dr. Jimmy Dupree and mail the original to the Church of God state office.
•If the applicant and/or spouse has a divorce and remarriage history, the applicant must complete the "Documentation Statement" and make sure that all questionnaire forms have been submitted and approved.
•After the state overseer has approved the application, he will notify the local church to set forth the applicant for the level of Ordained Minister.
•Upon authorization by the the state overseer, the applicant will request an interview with the Seminary Ministerial Development Board. (Download Interview Request Form).
•If the candidate is approved by the Ministerial Development Committee, the Seminary will forward a letter of recommendation to the state overseer.
•The state overseer will issue the Ordained Minister Certificate.
APPLYING FOR A PROMOTION IN RANK TO ORDAINED BISHOP
•Application forms may be obtained from the Church of God state office (423-892-4831) or from Dr. Jimmy Dupree.
•Obtain the recommendation of local pastor and/or district overseer.
•Complete the application forms for the rank of Ordained Bishop; submit a photocopy to Dr. Jimmy Dupree and mail the original to the Church of God state office.
•If the applicant and/or spouse has a divorce and remarriage history, the applicant must complete the "Documentation Statement" and make sure that all questionnaire forms have been submitted and approved.
•After the state overseer has approved the application, he will notify the local church to set forth the applicant for the level of Ordained Bishop.
•Upon authorization by the the state overseer, the applicant will request an interview with the Seminary Ministerial Development Board. (Download Interview Request Form).
•If the candidate is approved by the Ministerial Development Committee, the Seminary will forward a letter of recommendation to the state overseer.
•The state overseer will notify the candidate of the time and place of the commissioning service.
