Permanent Credentials

Certificate of Ordination     |     Transfer of Ordination    |     Certificate of Christian MinistryÂ

Certificate of Ordination 

This credential is designed specifically for those involved in pastoral ministry.

Requirements for Ordination

The ordination credential may be issued to candidates who:

• Are male in gender;
• Are involved in pastoral ministry (seminary professors, military chaplains and missionary church planters are also eligible);
• Have demonstrated an acceptable level of academic preparation for ministry, such as completion of a M.Div. degree or its equivalent from an approved evangelical school; (unless an exception is made by the Board of Ministerial Standing in recognition of the candidate’s knowledge and experience);
• Have completed the requirements for a ministerial license;
• Have been approved by an examining council; and
• Have demonstrated gifts in ministry to the satisfaction of the Board of Ministerial Standing.

Preparation for Ordination

The candidate for ordination must have held a ministry license for one full licensing period of three years in the Evangelical Free Church of America. (This requirement may be waived in certain situations for military chaplains who are assured a chaplain’s appointment.)

Tenure of Ordination

Ordination is the bestowal of a trust upon those who are called by God to public ministry.  This trust remains with the person as long as he continues in ministry and fulfills the standards of ministry as outlined in Sections I, II, and III of "Steps Toward Credentialing."  Should the person leave the ministry or cease to be a member in good standing of an Evangelical Free Church, he must place his ordination in trust with The Evangelical Free Church of America.  Should he re-enter the ministry at a later date, the Board of Ministerial Standing may request re-examination before returning the credential.

Required Documents for Certificate of Ordination

(pdf copies to print and mail to your district)

• Letter from candidate indicating his desire to be ordained by the EFCA.
• Credential Application
• Letter of recommendation from the church where the candidate is and if different, a letter from the church in which the candidate is serving. (See Character Assessment Guidelines below)
• Record of attendance from the dean’s office of the Bible school or seminary (If a previous letter is on file, a second letter is not necessary)
• Written ordination thesis.
• Minutes from ordination council.
• Recommendation from the district board or credentialing council.
• Updated EFCA Minister’s Profile.
• Completion of EFCA Required Reading or completion of TEDS History and Polity course.

Other helpful documents

• Character Assessment Guidelines
• Thesis Requirements
• Possible motions for a Certificate of Ordination council

Transfer of Ordination 

An evangelical minister seeking transfer of ordination to The Evangelical Free Church of America shall meet the same qualifications and follow similar procedures as set forth in Sections III and IV of "Steps Toward Credentialing."  The applicant shall seek to supply a letter of recommendation from some official or board of his previous affiliation.  He must be a member of an Evangelical Free Church and must have served one year with The Evangelical Free Church of America before the transfer of ordination can be completed. An applicant not serving a Free Church as pastor and wishing to transfer his ordination must be a member in good standing of a local Evangelical Free Church for at least one year.

Required documents for Transfer of Ordination

(pdf copies to print and mail to your district)

• Letter from candidate indicating his desire to be ordained by the EFCA.
• Credential Application
• Letter of recommendation from the church where the candidate is and if different, a letter from the church in which the candidate is serving. (See Character Assessment Guidelines below.) 
• Record of attendance from the dean’s office of the Bible school or seminary (If a previous letter is on file, a second letter is not necessary.)
• Paper and Council Requirements
• Minutes of ordination council
• Recommendation from the district board or credentialing council.
• Updated EFCA Minister’s Profile.
• Completion of EFCA Required Reading or completion of TEDS History and Polity course.
• Copy of present ordination certificate.

Other helpful documents

• Character Assessment Guidelines
• Possible Motions for a Transfer of Ordination Council

Certificate of Christian Ministry

This credential is designed specifically for those involved in professional church ministries other than pastoral ministry.

Requirements for Certificate of Christian Ministry

This credential may be issued to candidates who:

Preparation for Certificate of Christian Ministry

The candidate for this credential must have held a ministry license for one full licensing period of three years in The Evangelical Free Church of America. (This requirement may be waived in certain situations for military chaplains who are assured a chaplain’s appointment.)

Tenure of Certificate of Christian Ministry

An EFCA credential is a bestowal of a trust upon those who are called by God to public ministry.  This trust remains with the person as long as he/she continues in ministry and fulfills the standards of ministry as outlined in Sections I, II and III of "Steps Toward Credentialing." Should the person leave the ministry, he/she must place his/her certificate in trust with The Evangelical Free Church of America. Should he/she re-enter the ministry at a later date, the Board of Ministerial Standing may request re-examination before returning the credential.

Required documents for Certificate of Christian Ministry

(pdf copies to print and mail to your district)

• Letter from candidate indicating his desire to be ordained by the EFCA.
• Credential Application.
• Letter of recommendation from the church where the candidate is and if different, a letter from the church in which the candidate is serving. (See Character Assessment Guidelines below)
• Record of attendance from the dean’s office of the Bible school or seminary (If a previous letter is on file, a second letter is not necessary)
• Written Christian Ministry thesis.
• Minutes of credentialing council.
• Recommendation from the district board or credentialing council.
• Updated EFCA Minister’s Profile.
• Completion of EFCA Required Reading or completion of TEDS History and Polity course.

Other helpful documents

• Character Assessment Guidelines
• Certificate of Christian Ministry Thesis Requirements
• Possible Motions for a Certificate of Christian Ministry Council