Pastoral Credentialing
in the Grace Gospel Fellowship

• Must be a male member in good standing or active participant at a local Grace church.
• Must affirm complete agreement with the GGF doctrinal statement and agree to reaffirm that
  commitment every five years.
• Must be engaged in at least 20 hours per week in ministry unless he is a full time student.
• Must demonstrate a cooperative spirit with the purposes and policies of the GGF and a lifestyle
  consistent with biblical standards of Christian conduct.
• Must be examined and approved by the Pastoral Care and Credentialing Committee and
  confirmed by the GGF National Council.

Even though the call of God to the ministry and the heart of the man of God are required; it is
important to have a working knowledge of the Word of God. This is usually obtained by receiving
some formal Bible education to assist in accurately understanding God’s Word and undertaking the
great task of ministry.

Before the age of 30, the man of God is required to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies
degree from Grace Christian University or its equivalent. The areas of Bible training should include
theology, dispensationalism, and practical Christian ministries.

After the age of 30, a man of God pursuing a GGF license is strongly advised to pursue adequate
formal Bible education before the process of GGF licensing. Because the examination process is
stringent and standardized, it would be wise to receive godly counsel about earning a license and/or
ordination from the GGF Executive Director or a member of the Pastoral Care and Credentialing
Committee.

The Pastoral Care and Credentialing Committee shall take into consideration the maturity and ministry
experience of an individual when an application is received by the GGF. However, one should
consider taking Bible and Theology courses in the classroom or on-line Bible courses from Grace Bible
College or an approved institution.

A. General requirements for Commissioning

1. The man of God must be active in a GGF church ministry at the time of being commissioned.
2. He must submit a completed Application for Commissioning to the GGF office.
3. He must write a brief paper on several areas of theology to evaluate his agreement with some of the GGF’s mid-Acts dispensational views.
4. He must be in agreement with and willing to sign the GGF doctrinal statement and must be willing to sign the “In Trust” document.
5. He will be interviewed by a team of ordained men from the GGF.
6. He must take a Bible exam before his commissioning date.
7. He must make a self-evaluation of the biblical qualifications and provide at least three references of church leaders to evaluate the candidate.

B. Refer to Policy 201 for the specific requirements for Commissioning.

The following must be completed in a satisfactory manner before a license will be issued by the GGF:

A. A candidate must complete at least four (4) years of ministry as an ordained pastor, missionary, or staff member in the church to be considered for this certification. The candidate will complete the application for Recognition of Ordination from the GGF office. This form is to be submitted to the GGF office by the date specified by the GGF Executive Director.

B. The candidate will submit the following items to the GGF office:

1. A completed application;
2. A copy of your current ordination certificate;
3. A paper on the subject: “The Essentials of Mid–Acts Dispensational Theology” (the details will be provided to the candidate).

C. The GGF office will request letters of recommendation from references submitted by the candidate. The letters should evaluate the candidate’s biblical qualifications and spiritual gifts found in: 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9, Romans 12:3–8 and Ephesians 4:7–16. The references shall come from:

1. When available, the candidate’s GGF Regional Council or Field Council representative;
2. The Board of the church, mission Board or other para–church Board under which he is serving;
3. One lay leader of the candidate’s ministry confirming his personal standards and gifts;
4. One GGF–ordained pastor who knows the candidate well.

D. Affirmation interview: An examination will be conducted by a GGF–ordained team of pastors with the following goals:

1. Determine the candidate’s current walk with the Lord;
2. Affirm the candidate’s call to ministry;
3. Learn about the candidate’s ministry philosophy and experience;
4. Confirm the candidate’s theological and dispensational positions.

E. Granting of Ordination – The Executive Committee of the National Council will grant a certificate of ordination based upon the recommendation of the examining team. If in the opinion of the examining team the candidate shows a deficiency in his responses, a license for ministry may be granted and the candidate would be scheduled for a second examination within the next four (4) years.

F. The examination will normally be given in conjunction with the Pastors’ Conference or annual Family Bible Conference.

A. All men who have successfully completed the licensing or ordination process will be encouraged to participate in the formal presentation during the Pastors’ Conference or Family Bible Conference.

B. The Executive Director of the GGF shall strive to present the GGF certification at the church where the newly certified pastor ministers or the church where the missionary attends.

A. Each new candidate who passes the licensing or ordination examination process and is granted a certification by the GGF will sign a “Certification” form to affirm that his certificate is given to the man of God “in trust.” This form will be signed by the credentialed man, a GGF representative and by two witnesses.

B. Each currently licensed or ordained man will sign an affirmation of his agreement of the doctrinal statement of the GGF in the year 2010 and every fifth (5th) year thereafter. If he cannot sign the statement of doctrinal support, he is to surrender his credential to the GGF office.