Credentialing

Why do credentials matter?

For those who have the call of God on their lives for ministry, credentials are the link to an organization from which vital information is received, to which the minister provides support, and through which there is accountability.

Credentials are the “stamp of approval” by a recognized organization that authorizes the performance of all ordinances and ceremonies of the church, in accordance with applicable federal or state laws.

Levels

Certified

Efficient helpers in gospel work, especially those who work under pastoral supervision and who devote a part of their time, and are actively engaged in some aspect of ministry.

Licensed

Those who give clear evidence of a Divine call and who have had practical experience in preaching.

Ordained

Those who are of mature experience and whose ministries are recognized and proven. Applicants must be at least 23 years of age and have been licensed for two years by the time they are ordained.

What you need to know before you apply

    • Have a testimony to having experienced the new birth (John 3:5)

    • Have a testimony to having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4 with the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues

    • Have clear evidence of a divine call to the ministry evidenced by a personal conviction

    • Have a blameless Christian life and a good report (Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 3:7)

    • Be a member of an Assemblies of God church and have been so for a minimum of 6 months.

    • Be actively engaged in some aspect of ministry, except in case of ill health or infirmity.

    • Have the recommendation of their pastor.

  • Ministerial credentials are issued by the General Council of the Assemblies of God, not by the Mississippi District Assemblies of God.

    Certified

    Complete the first level of credentialing classes through the Mississippi School of Ministry, or through Berean School of the Bible.

    Licensed

    Complete the first and second levels of credentialing classes through the Mississippi School of Ministry, or through Berean School of the Bible.

    Ordained

    Complete the first, second, and third levels of credentialing classes through the Mississippi School of Ministry, or through Berean School of the Bible.

  • If married, neither the applicant nor the spouse may have a living spouse from a previous marriage unless the divorce occurred prior to conversion, or where there was unfaithfulness or abandonment of the believer by an unbeliever, or in the case of domestic violence by a spouse to a spouse or child. If this applies, please contact Janice Davis at jdavis@msaog.org or by phone at (601) 373-1943 before moving forward with the credentialing process.

  • All ministerial applicants and upgrades must consent to a General Council mandated background check, which includes a National Criminal File Search, Social Security Verification, Felony Including Misdemeanor County Court Records Search, State Sexual Offender Database Search, and a credit report. The fee for this background check is $40 and is due at the time the application is returned. If we need to run a multi-county Felony county court Records search or multi-State Sexual Offender Database Search, there may be an additional fee. If you have a criminal record, please contact Janice Davis at jdavis@msaog.org or by phone at (601) 373-1943 before moving forward with the credentialing process.

  • All applicants must state a willingness to abstain from using tobacco, alcohol, illegal or recreational drugs in any form, and involvement with pornography or gambling.

Application Process

  • We are excited that you are taking the next step on your ministry journey by applying for credentials! If you’re applying for the first time, please begin by filling out our Pre-Application Questionnaire. (If you haven’t already followed the Pre-Application link above, click here for the online form, or here to download the printable application.) Our credential secretary is available to help you navigate each step of this process. Please contact Janice Davis at jdavis@msaog.org or by phone at (601) 373-1943 if you have any questions along the way.

  • Complete and submit the required forms given to you by the credential secretary along with a credentialing fee of $100. (These forms must be submitted 30 days prior to the committee meeting you wish to attend. Committee meetings are in February and August.)

    Mail your application and supporting documents to MS District Assemblies of God, P.O. Box 720309, Byram, MS 39272.

  • After completing an exam and a series of interviews at the District Office, the Credential Committee will vote to make a recommendation for your credential. Applicants approved by the District Credential Committee are submitted, with recommendation, to the General Council Credential Committee* for approval and issuance of the certificates.

    *All credential certificates are issued by the General Secretary's office in Springfield, MO. The general timeframe to receive your official credential card and welcome packet in the mail is 4 to 8 weeks once General Council has approved your credential.

  • After General Council has approved your credential, you will be recognized (or ordained, if applicable) at the upcoming E3 Conference in May.

  • To upgrade your credential, please contact credentialing secretary Janice Davis at jdavis@msaog.org or by phone at (601) 373-1943, and repeat steps 2 and 3 for the applicable credentialing level.

  • Applicants who desire to reinstate a ministerial credential that has lapsed must submit the following documents along with a reinstatement fee of $150:

    • Reinstatement Application

    • Background Disclosure

    • Authorization Release

    • Authorization Release for Spouse (if applicable)

    • Bankruptcy Questionnaire (if applicable)

    If a credential has lapsed for over two years, an interview is required.

    If a credential has lapsed for over seven years, the written exam and interview are both required.

    If the credential lapsed or was resigned in a district other than the Mississippi Assemblies of God, a letter of good standing from the previous district should be submitted with the reinstatement application.

    If a minister reinstates within the first three months of the calendar year after lapsing, General Council dues from the previous year must be fulfilled.

    If you are interested in beginning the reinstatement process, please contact Janice Davis at jdavis@msaog.org or by phone at (601- 373-1943.

Yearly Renewal

  • A credential renewal form will be mailed (or emailed if you checked the box for paperless) to each credential holder during the month of November from General Council. After completing the form, return copies 1 and 2 to the District Office. (Copy 3 is for the minister’s record.) If you are submitting your form online, please be sure to make it to the final landing page. (Click here for step by step instructions.)

    Renew Online

  • Please respond immediately to avoid any late fees. Any and all dues and network tithes must be submitted with the renewal.

  • Mississippi Assemblies of God

    Every minister (certified, licensed, and ordained) is required to pay 85% of the tithe from income earned from ministry and 50% of the tithe from all other income to the District. Failure to fulfill one’s financial responsibility to the Mississippi Assemblies of God will result in a minister’s credential not renewing until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the Mississippi Assemblies of God Credentialing Committee. You can make payments online by clicking here. For help in calculating tithes, click here.

    General Council

    Credentialed ministers are required to pay the minimum annual dues listed below:

    • Ordained: $25 monthly ($300 a year)

    • Licensed: $20 monthly ($240 a year)

    • Certified: $10 monthly ($120 a year)

    • Senior Retired: free-will basis

    You can pay your General Council Dues online here. Compliance with these requirements will be a prerequisite for the renewal of credentials of all ministers.

  • Every credentialed Assemblies of God minister, regardless of your credential level (certified, licensed, or ordained) and regardless of your status (active, disabled, senior active, senior retired) must renew annually.

  • All renewals postmarked after December 31 will be charged a $50 late fee.

    For renewals in the grace period from January 1-15, $25 goes to the District Office, and $25 goes to the National Office.

    Applications postmarked after January 15 will require that your credentials be reinstated and accompanied by a $150 reinstatement fee.