The following qualifications pertain to all applicants for ministerial

recognition:

a. Salvation. Testimony to having experienced the new birth (John 3:5).

b. Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Testimony to 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 fourfold

mission of the church (Constitution, Article V, paragraph 10).

c. 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.

d. Christian character. A blameless Christian life and a good report of

those who are without (Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 3:7).

e. Doctrinal position. A thorough understanding of and agreement with

our doctrinal position as contained in the Statement of Fundamental Truths.

f. 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.

g. Voluntary cooperation and 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.

By voluntary it is meant that, upon learning the principles, doctrines, and

practices of the Assemblies of God, and by seeing the benefits to be derived from

being associated with such an organization, persons of their own free choice

decide to become members, thus subscribing to all that for which the organization

stands.

For the minister, by cooperation, it is meant, to the best of one’s ability,

complying with all decisions setting forth and defining duties and responsibilities

incumbent upon members of the organization. It includes active participation and

respect for the will of the majority expressed through constitutional processes.

Hence, for the minister, voluntary cooperation means that when the minister

decides to become a cooperating member of the Assemblies of God.

No specific level of formal academic achievement (diploma or degree) shall be a requirement for credentials; credential

applicants shall meet the following criteria:

(1) All applicants are required to be interviewed by the district credentials committee and, in preparation for the interview, pass a standard exam approved by the General Presbytery whereby they demonstrate knowledge of the Bible, Assemblies of God doctrines, and ministerial

46ARTICLE VII

practices, unless an exception is granted by the General Council Credentials Committee or permitted by General Presbytery policy; and either

(2) Successfully complete equivalent training to that indicated in paragraph

(3) below, preferably, in an endorsed Assemblies of God postsecondary school; or in a seminary, college, Bible college, or school approved by the district credentials committee consistent with criteria established by the General Council Credentials Committee; or

(3) Successfully complete courses, prescribed by the General Presbytery, through General Presbytery-approved training programs that align with the courses for each of the three levels of credentials; or

(4) Be recommended by a district credentials committee as qualifying for credentials through self-study and ministerial experience. Such candidates shall have a proven 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.