CREDENTIALING

Do you feel a call from God to ministry?

We believe in recognizing the divine call of God upon your life. Discover the next steps in your journey toward becoming a CREDENTIALED MINISTER with the Northwest Ministry Network and the Assemblies of God.

Credentials will help open opportunities within the 330-plus Assemblies of God churches in Washington and North Idaho, as well as churches across the nation. They will also open incredible opportunities in church planting and missions, both foreign and domestic.

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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • A blameless Christian life and a good report of those who are without (Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 3:7).

  • A thorough understanding of and agreement with our doctrinal position as contained in the Statement of Fundamental Truths.

  • A satisfactory working knowledge of the principles, practices, and purposes of the Fellowship through a study of the General Council Constitutions and Bylaws and the Northwest Ministry Network bylaws.

  • 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.

     

  • The first step to becoming credentialed is completing the Pre-Application Questionnaire. Once completed, our Credentials Specialist will contact you with the next steps in the credentialing process and answer any questions you may have. We have 2 yearly application deadlines: June 1 and October 1.

  • Once we receive and review your pre-application questionnaire, we will send you the Credential Application via DocuSign along with a follow-up email. Submit the Credential Application via DocuSign, along with the following items:

    • $150 Application Fee  (online or check)

    • Educational Transcripts

    • Copy of your Social Security card

    • Digital photo

    Review the Levels of Credentials.

  • Submit the needed references: three Assemblies of God minister references (one must include your lead pastor), three friend references, and two employer references are needed. Please email those references listed on your application the corresponding links below.

    Minister Reference
    Friend Reference
    Employer Reference

    Once your reference clicks the link, they will be taken to an online web form that will auto-email the reference to our Credentials Specialist.

  • Once the application and supporting documents are received, you will be emailed the details for your exam, including study guides to help you prepare (the first week of August or November).

  • After you have successfully completed the exam, your Regional Leader will contact you to arrange an interview date (sometime in September or January).

  • Following your interview, the Regional and Area Leaders will meet and vote to make a recommendation on your application. If approved, your application is sent to the General Council for final approval. You can expect to receive your official credential card and welcome packet by mail within 4-8 weeks after the General Council approves your credential. You will also receive an invitation to the New Minister's Connection, which is held annually in conjunction with our Network Conference.

    Note: There may be additional requirements, such as a new minister's orientation.

Welcome! We are glad you are interested in pursuing a ministry credential with the Northwest Ministry Network and the General Council of the Assemblies of God.

There are specific education requirements for each credential level, and multiple paths are available to meet them.

We have provided information below about the educational requirements to help you figure out whether you have met them and identify any you may need in the future.

Our Credentials Specialist is happy to review and evaluate your transcripts and provide a customized plan to meet the educational requirements. All education requirements are subject to change without notice in accordance with General Council guidelines.

Education Path Options

There are several programs to equip you for the call to ministry and fulfill the educational requirements for credentials. We have listed a few of the options below.

  • Applicants who graduate with a Bible, Theology, or Ministry major at an Assemblies of God college/university can apply for the following credential level:

    • Certified: Complete 48 hours of study that include 24 hours of Bible/theology/ministry courses

    • Licensed: Complete 72 hours of study that include 24 hours of Bible/theology/ministry courses

    • Ordination: Complete 96 hours of study that included 24 hours of Bible/theology/ministry courses (must also hold a License level credential for two years)

    Applicants who have not graduated or have graduated with a degree in a non-ministry major may apply for credentials if 24 of the credits they earned are in Bible, Theology, or Ministry courses. Applicants should contact our Credentials Specialist to have their transcripts reviewed and evaluated.

  • Pathway is a “Church-Based Bible Institute” approved by the General Council of the Assemblies of God. This is a self-paced, independent study program that meets the academic requirements for all three credential levels. The program is a subscription-based app that gives students access to the entire course catalog. An applicant can complete distance education for ministerial credit:

    • Certified: 10 courses

    • Licensed: 10 courses

    • Ordained: 8 courses

    Visit the Pathway website.

  • Global University is a fully accredited nonprofit Christian university based in Springfield, Missouri. Global University’s program includes correspondence/online courses that provide mastery of the basic Bible content (Old and New Testaments), theological principles, and practical ministry skills for service in a church leadership position. This is a self-paced, independent study program that meets the academic requirements for all three credential levels.

    • Certified: 10 courses

    • Licensed: 10 courses

    • Ordained: 8 courses

    Visit the Global University website.

  • A degree from a non-Assemblies of God college or university is acceptable, provided the transcripts show the student earned 24 credits in Bible or Theology courses. Applicants should contact our Credentials Specialist to have their transcripts reviewed and evaluated.

    The applicant will also be required to complete the following correspondence courses through Global University:

    • AG History, Missions, and Governance

    • Intro to Pentecostal Doctrine

    • Relationships and Ethics in Ministry

  • The Certificate in Ministry Leadership program satisfies the educational requirements for ministerial credentials in the Assemblies of God. The Certificate provides undergraduate credits fully online and offers professional development in ministry leadership.

    Northwest University Online Certificate in Ministry Leadership

  • Introduction Text: The primary support of the Northwest Ministry Network comes from our ministers’ tithes. We want every minister to be knowledgeable about their financial responsibility.

    According to the Northwest Ministry Network Bylaws (Article IX. Section 4): All Northwest Ministry Network ministers shall be expected to support the Northwest Ministry Network financially with their tithe (10%) on all earned income, except:

    • appointed world missionaries whose financial support shall conform to the Assemblies of God World Missions Bylaws,

    • General Council appointed U.S. Missionaries, Chi Alpha personnel, and chaplains whose financial support shall conform to the corresponding standards of their governing bodies,

    • senior retired ministers who reached this status on or before January 12, 2011, and

    • approved disabled ministers.

    NWMN Giving Page

  • As a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God, there are annual dues that are paid directly to the General Council. The amount is based on credential level.

    • Certified - $10/month or $120/year

    • Licensed - $20/month or $240/year

    • Ordinated - $25month or $300/year

    • Senior Retired or disabled ministers do not pay General Council dues.

    General Council dues are paid directly to General Council. The most efficient way to pay General Council dues is through AG Giving.

Credential Levels

There are three levels of credentials available through the Assemblies of God. The level of credentials a person is qualified for depends on both ministry experience and the education completed.

Those who indicate God’s call to ministry, manifest a desire to enter the ministry by engaging in Christian work, and who are actively engaged in some aspect of ministry and proclamation of the gospel can be recognized as Certified Ministers. They shall be involved in a viable ministry. Whenever possible, they are to remain under a pastor's supervision. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age.

Certified

Licensed

Those who are more deeply involved in ministry, exhibit clear evidence of a call to ministry and practical experience in preaching, together with an evident purpose to devote one’s life to ministry, are eligible to be recognized as Licensed ministers. This is the first step towards ordination. A minister must hold a license for two consecutive years to validate fruitfulness and faithfulness in ministry. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age.

Ordained

Those who exhibit clear evidence of a divine call to ministry, are actively engaged in ministry and the proclamation of the gospel, and have proven faithful and fruitful in ministry for two consecutive years, are eligible to be recognized as Ordained ministers. Ordination is the highest level of credentials in the Assemblies of God. Qualifications for ordination are outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-9. In addition, ordination candidates:

  • Must be at least 23 years of age.

  • Must be a member of the Northwest Ministry Network for at least one full year before being ordained.

  • Must be a Licensed Minister for at least two consecutive years and be engaged in active ministry for at least two full consecutive years immediately before being ordained.

  • To begin upgrading your credentials, you must complete the Credential Upgrade Inquiry Form. As soon as we receive your form, our Credentials Specialist will either contact you for additional details or send you the Upgrade to License Application or the Upgrade to Ordination Application via DocuSign with a follow-up email.

  • Submit the Upgrade to License Application or the Upgrade to Ordination Application via DocuSign, along with the following items:

    • $50 application fee (online or check) for those upgrading to License Level credentials. For those upgrading to Ordination Level Credentials, the application fee is waived.

    • Copy of your Social Security card

    • Digital photo

  • Submit the needed references.

    • For those upgrading to Licensed, three Assemblies of God minister references (one must include your lead pastor), three friend references, and two employer references are needed. Please email those references listed on your application the corresponding links below.

    Upgrade to License Minister Reference
    Friend Reference
    Employer Reference

    • For those upgrading to an Ordination, four ordained AG minister references are needed. Please email those references listed on your application the corresponding links below.

    Upgrade to Ordination Minister Reference

  • For those upgrading to Licensed, an exam is required. Those upgrading to Ordination are not required to take an exam. Once the application is received and reviewed, you will be emailed the details for your exam, including study guides to help you prepare (in August or November).

  • Your regional leader will contact you to schedule an interview (in September and January).

  • Following your interview, the Regional and Area Leaders will meet and vote to make a recommendation on your application. If approved, your application is sent to the General Council for final approval. For those upgrading to Licensed, it can take up to 8 weeks for your official fellowship card to be mailed to you. For those upgrading to Ordained, you will receive your fellowship card at the ordination service during our annual Network Conference in April.

Take your ministry to the next level!

Upgrading your credentials is a great way to sharpen your skill set through ongoing education while moving toward the biblical precedent for ordination. There are two application deadlines each year: June 1 and October 1. The details for upgrading your credential are below.

  • Credential transfers are initiated by the minister with the district/network where they currently hold credentials. The transfer must be initiated within 60 days of taking residence in Washington or North Idaho.  It is the responsibility of the former district/network to complete the transfer to the Northwest Ministry Network. We will notify the minister when the transfer is complete.

  • When a Northwest Ministry Network minister establishes residence in another district/network, the minister should notify the Northwest Ministry Network’s Secretary-Treasurer’s office by completing the transfer form. Once the form is submitted, we will process your information and transfer your credentials unless there is a pending investigation against the minister. 

    Questions about transferring your credential can be directed to our Credentials Specialist, Tatiana Meyer.

If your credentials have lapsed or you resigned your credentials, a reinstatement application will be required. The time that has elapsed will determine the steps you take to reinstate your credentials. To begin the process, complete the Credential Reinstatement Inquiry.

Reinstatement Requirements

  • Any General Council dues at the time your credentials lapsed or you resigned are due.

  • There is a reinstatement fee of $100 ($50 to the General Council and $50 to the Northwest Ministry Network).

  • A background check of $50 may also apply.

  • You must authorize the mandated background check.

  • You must provide three references if you have not held credentials for over two years.

  • You must complete the exams for the credential relinquished (certified, licensed, or ordained) if you have not held the credential for more than seven years.

  • If the credential lapsed or was resigned in a network/district other than the Northwest Ministry Network, a letter of good standing from the previous network/district must be submitted.

  • An interview or additional information may be requested.

Credentials granted through the Northwest Ministry Network and the General Council of the Assemblies of God are renewed annually by December 31. The annual renewal period typically begins on November 1.

  • Question: Who must renew their credential?
    Answer: All ministers must renew their credentials every year. This includes newly credentialed ministers and those who have recently upgraded their credentials.

    Question: How much does it cost to renew my credential?
    Answer:

    • Your tithe to the Northwest Ministry Network must be current. 

    • If you have not already done so earlier in the year, you will be prompted to pay your General Council dues. General Council dues are based on your level of credential: Certified ($120/year), Licensed ($240/year), Ordained ($300/year).

    Question: How do I renew my credential?
    Answer: Begin with Step 1 below

  • Submit tithes to the Northwest Ministry Network by clicking here.

  • Submit annual dues to General Council by clicking here.

  • Complete the General Council Minister Credential Renewal Form by clicking here. 

    • Make sure you keep going through all the steps until you see “Congratulations! You have successfully submitted your online renewal.”

    • The General Council will no longer mail paper renewal forms to ministers. If you need assistance, please contact our Credentials Specialist, Tatiana Meyer, or call 425-888-4800.

    Question: What will happen if I do not renew my credential?
    Answer: The credential renewal deadline is December 31. There is a 15-day grace period until January 15. There is an additional $50 fee ($25 to the Northwest Ministry Network and $25 to General Council). After January 15, your credential will lapse, and you will need to reinstate it.

Meet the Team

Associate Network Leader
Secretary-Treasurer

Greg Stern

Credentials Specialist

Tatiana Meyer