Ordination - Anderson Hills Church

PDF: Anderson Hills Ordination and Licensing Requirements

Anderson Hills Church Ordination and Licensing Standards
Ordination is the communal recognition of persons set apart for leadership and pastoral responsibility. The work of the ordained is not about privilege or power but about the responsibility to lead, teach, shepherd, and serve. Those entering the process and seeking ordination should do so counting the cost and joyfully embracing God's calling on their lives. At Anderson Hills Church, ordination is a distinct calling from God for leading the community in Word (teaching and preaching the Bible), Sacrament (overseeing the practice of baptism and communion), and Order (giving leadership and form to the church’s life). Persons apply, are examined, and after approval of the Church Council, are ordained before the community of faith.

The Church Council reserves the right to grant waivers for qualifications for justified special circumstances (e.g., ordained by another denomination/ordaining body, extensive experience with a parachurch ministry or church that doesn’t require ordination).

Pastors
The Pastors at Anderson Hills Church shall be Ordained (see Ordination Process and Requirements) or Licensed (see Licensing Process and Requirements) ministers. If licensed, the Pastor will typically be expected to complete ordination requirements in a mutually agreed upon time period. Other staff and ministry positions can be filled with people who may or may
not be ordained or licensed.

Application
An application for ordination or licensing is provided by the Church Council. The application shall be either approved or denied within thirty days of the completion of the examination of the applicant. Upon completion of these requirements and approval by the Church Council, the minister shall be ordained by the Church Council and Lead Pastor in the presence of the congregation and will receive a certificate of license or ordination.

Ordination Description
The final determination regarding qualification for ordination shall belong to the Church Council. The Church Council may ordain a person as a minister of the Gospel after first examining the applicant’s background, moral and religious character, previous education, and ministry experience. Those who are ordained have responsibility for teaching, preaching, weddings, funerals, and sacraments. They may also have responsibility for overseeing other ministry staff, including Licensed Pastors, as assigned. Those ordained by Anderson Hills Church shall have their credentials and standing reviewed as needed, but no less than annually, by the Church Council for continuation or discontinuation. The ordination process is for individuals on the Anderson Hills staff that have a missional role for serving in a pastoral context.

Ordination Process and Requirements
1. Experience: Ordination applicants must have one year of experience in ministry at Anderson Hills Church and five years of ministry experience (time towards an approved seminary degree counts as ministry experience).

2. Education from Accredited College/University and Seminary
a. Bachelor’s degree
b. Master of Divinity degree is preferred. Alternatively, a Master of Biblical and Theological Foundations (39-hour) from Asbury Theological Seminary (or the equivalent from another Association of Theological Schools approved seminary, preferably in the Wesleyan theological tradition) is required if the candidate does not have the Master of Divinity degree.
c. Completion of one approved continuing education event/experience annually.

3. Application: Submit the required information packet to the Church Council with an endorsement of a sponsoring Anderson Hills Church Pastor.

4. Interview: The interview process shall explore the call to ministry, theological beliefs, and gifts for ministry, both displayed and affirmed by others in the congregation. All applicants seeking ordination shall participate in a three-step interview process.
a. Culture Interview with the Pastors and Ministry Staff
b. Competence Interview with the Lead and Executive Pastors, Church Council, and HR Committee.
c. Character Interview with the Lead and Executive Pastors, Church Council, and HR Committee.

5. Psychological Evaluation: Completed by a licensed mental health professional selected by the Church Council.

6. Background Check and Credit Check.

Licensing
Licensing is for persons who do not feel called to pursue the educational requirements of ordination but feel called to additional ministry responsibility. The Church Council may license a person as a minister of the Gospel with responsibilities at Anderson Hills Church to lead in weddings and funerals, administer the sacraments, preach, and perform other duties as determined by the Church Council. Those licensed for ministry shall serve under the supervision of an ordained pastor. Licenses are issued on a calendar year basis and are renewed annually upon satisfactory review and approval by the Church Council.

Licensing Process and Requirements
1. Experience: Licensing applicants must have two years of ministry experience at any approved Christian church or parachurch organization.

2. Education
a. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
b. Completion of at least 15 credit hours of theological training from an approved Seminary.
c. Completion of one approved continuing education event/experience annually.

3. Application: Submit the required information packet to the Church Council with an endorsement of a sponsoring Anderson Hills Church Pastor.

5. Background Check and Credit Check Anderson Hills Church

Application For Ordained/Licensed Ministry
Name: _____________________________________________________________________
Ministry Role: ________________________________________________________________
Applying for: ______ Licensing _____ Ordination

Education:
• Institution(s) and Degree(s) Earned
• Please provide transcripts of any degree programs post high school

Years of Experience in Ministry and Place(s) of Service:

Please describe your call to ministry. Include your understanding of your gifts for ministry.
The Anderson Hills Church ordination process requires adherence to the core tenets of Wesleyan theology. Please clearly articulate your position on the following questions with specific scriptural references.
1. Theology:
○ What is the nature and character of the Trinity?
○ What is the nature and work of God The Father?
○ What is the nature and work of Christ?
○ Why is it important that Jesus Christ is both fully human and fully divine?
○ What is the nature and work of the Holy Spirit?
○ What is sin?
○ What is God’s grace? What is the relationship between God’s forgiveness and God’s grace?
○ How does God offer salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? How do you receive that gift of salvation?
○ What does it mean that we are saved by faith alone?
○ What is the relationship between faith and works?
○ What is your understanding of the authority of scripture?
○ How has God revealed these truths to you throughout your own life?
○ What is your definition of Christian marriage?
○ Under what circumstances is a sexual relationship affirmed in the Bible?

2. Ecclesiology:
○ What is the purpose of the church?
○ What is your understanding of the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion?
○ How do you understand your pastoral role and authority in the church?
○ What are the essential values of ministry within Anderson Hills Church, and how
do you intend to uphold them?
○ What is a pastor's role in shepherding the congregation? Provide specific
examples from your ministry experience.
3. Personal Holiness:
○ Tell us about your spiritual life, growth, and how you maintain your relationship
with Christ.
○ Gospel identity is central to pastoral ministry. How do you understand your
identity in Christ?
○ If applicable, how do your spouse and children feel about your ordination and
commitment to vocational ministry?
○ How has your family background influenced who you are, for better or for
worse?
○ How would you describe your personality/temperament?
○ How do you manage your time & financial resources (including your giving)?
○ Are there any people (past or present) who might find your potential ordination
troubling due to your lack of reconciliation with them?
○ Do you know of anything in your life right now or in the past that, if brought to
light, would bring reproach to the body of Christ?
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To the best of my knowledge, all the statements of belief and personal information that I have
provided are accurate, true, and representative of my belief and practice.
I have read and fully assent to Anderson Hills Church Church Doctrine and Code of Regulations
as the guide and authority for ordained and licensed ministry within Anderson Hills Church.
________________________________________ ________________
Signature of Applicant Date
________________________________________ ________________
Signature of Endorsing Pastor Date

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