The process for receiving ministerial credentials with the Church of God in Michigan shall occur
in three basic stages:

I. Application

1. Persons interested in credentialing shall submit a signed letter of intent stating their desire to obtain credentials.
2. The State Pastor and Overseer in consultation with the Credentials Ministry will review and assess the letter of intent to determine the most appropriate response to the prospective candidate.
3. If the interested party warrants consideration by the Credentials Ministry they shall complete and return the Ministerial Recognition Application along with appropriate fees as well as a signed Authorization to Request/Maintain/Release information.
4. Criminal background and credit checks shall be completed for each applicant.
5. A copy of the Credentials Manual of the Church of God will be made available to each applicant who desires to receive a copy.
6. Ministerial Endorsement Forms will be completed for each applicant by three ordained or licensed Church of God ministers.
7. A Bible content exam and personality/gifts inventory will be completed by the applicant. The Bible content exam will be administered in a monitored setting.
8. Ministerial Development Surveys will be completed by the three endorsing ministers and three lay persons.
9. An initial Fourteen Point Theological Statement is written and submitted.

II. Interview and Assessment

1. An initial interview with the Credentials Ministry will be completed.
2. The Credentials Ministry will determine further process to either (a) proceed, (b) postpone, or (c) deny consideration.
3. Proceeding with credentialing will involve: (a) issuance of a Commission to Ministry or a License, (b) placement on the minister’s approved list, (c) determination of educational track, and (d) assignment of Supervisory Mentor.
4. At least ten to twelve meetings with the Supervisory Mentor are held.
5. Development of a Fourteen Point Theological Statement is begun, typically through the Institute of Servant Leadership’s “Church of God Doctrinal Track.”

III. Ordination

1. Upon satisfactory completion of the Theological Statement a ministerial license shall be granted if a license has not already been issued.
2. Meetings with Supervising Mentor shall continue throughout the process.
3. The applicant will move to candidate status and complete a written “Life and Ministry Plan” as determined by the Credentials Ministry in consultation with the Supervising Mentor.
4. A satisfactory written endorsement from the Supervisory Mentor will be received prompting the scheduling of the “Ordination Interview” with the Credentials Ministry.
5. A second/Ordination Interview with the Credentials Ministry (with spouse present where applicable) is completed followed by a decision to (a) recommend ordination to the Michigan Assembly; (b) postpone ordination; or, (c) deny ordination.
6. Subsequent to voted approval by the Michigan Assembly a service of ordination is planned and completed with inclusion of at least one Credentials Ministry representative. If there are six (6) or more negative votes in the Assembly the Credentials Ministry will reconsider the ordination recommendation.