Credentials

Basic Qualifications

The Following qualifications pertain to all applicants for ministerial recognition.

• Salvation. Testimony of having experienced the new birth (John 3:5).

• Baptism in The Holy Spirit. Testimony of having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues according to Acts 2:4. The Spirit-filled life will enable a minister to fulfill the threefold mission of the church (Article V, paragraph 10, of the Constitution).

• Evidence of Call. Clear evidence of a divine call to the ministry, evidenced by a personal conviction, confirmed by the work of the Spirit and the testimony of fellow ministers.

• Christian Character. A blameless Christian life and a good report of those who are without (Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 3:7).

• Doctrinal Position. A thorough understanding of and agreement with our doctrinal position as contained in the Statement of Fundamental Truths.

• Assemblies of God Polity. A satisfactory working knowledge of the principles, practices, and purposes of the Fellowship through a study of the General Council and District Council Constitution and Bylaws.

• Commitment to The Fellowship. An active loyalty to our constitutional agreements, a cooperative spirit, and a readiness to seek and receive the counsel of older mature Christians and those in positions of authority.

• Residency Requirements of Applicants. To obtain ministerial credentials through the SCAG, all applicants must be residents of or hold credentials within this district.

Credential Applicants shall meet the following criteria:

– Interview: All applicants are required to be interviewed by SC AG Credentials Committee and, in preparation for the interview, pass a standard exam approved by the General Presbytery whereby hey demonstrate knowledge of the Bible, Assemblies of God doctrines, and ministerial practices; and either: (1) Successfully complete equivalent training to that indicated on the educational requirements page, preferably, in an endorsed Assemblies of God postsecondary school; or in a seminary, college, Bible college, or school approved by the Credentials Committee consistent with the criteria established by the General Council Credentials Committee; or (2) Successfully complete courses, prescribed by the General Presbytery offered in correspondence through Global University of the Assemblies of God; or (3) Be recommended by SC AG Credentials Committee as qualifying for credentials though self-study and ministerial experience. Such candidates shall have a proved and fruitful ministry of substantial duration. Requests from a district for such a candidate shall be presented to the General Council Credentials Committee and may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

-Annulments, Marriage Dissolutions, and Divorces: All situations involving a prior marriage or divorce shall be decided on an individual case by case basis. The Executive Presbytery shall have the authority to determine whether an applicant satisfies the criteria set forth by the General Council.
If the credential candidate or spouse has a former spouse still living, an application for recognition of divorce must be processed and approval received prior to making application for ministerial credential.

– Eligibility of Women: The Scriptures plainly teach that divinely called and qualified women may also serve the church in the ministry of the Word (Joel 2:29, Acts 21:9, 1 Corinthians 11:5). Women who have developed in the ministry of the Word so that their ministry is acceptable generally, and who have proved their qualifications ins actual service, and who have met all the requirements of the credentials committees of the district council, are entitled to whatever grade of credentials their qualifications warrant and the right to administer the ordinances of the church when such acts are necessary.

-Ministers from Other Organizations: If a minister from another reputable body desires to affiliate with the Assemblies of God, the Credentials Committees of both the General Council and SC AG are under no obligation to accept the applicant’s previous ministerial status, but will judge each candidate on his or her own merits in light of the Assemblies of God criteria. It is expected that ministers who receive Assemblies of God recognition will relinquish their ministerial credentials with all other organizations.