Ordination, Transfer of Ordination,
Certificate of Christian Ministry
If you are interested in receiving Ordination, Transfer of Ordination, or Certificate of Christian Ministry materials, please call or email the Forest Lakes District (715.344.4288/info@forestlakes-efca.org). You will receive detailed information on the following:
- Ordination/Transfer of Ordination/Certificate of Christian Ministry Timeline Checklist
- Application for Ministerial Credential
- One of the following Applications: Application for Certificate of Ordination, Transfer of Ordination or Application for Certificate of Christian Ministry
- Sample “Letter of Recommendation” for Church Chairman
- Minister’s Profile
- Thesis Guidelines
- EFCA Board of Ministerial Standing – Paper Guidelines
- Required Reading List (This list is to be completed if not fulfilled during License process)
- Secretary’s Guidelines (Ordination Council) and Sample of Minutes
- Council Membership Form for Permanent Credentials
- District Board of Ministerial Standing List
- EFCA Ministerial Association Membership Form
The process is as follows:
- Please contact Ken Moberg, FLD Superintendent, who will give permission to go ahead with the ordination or transfer of ordination or certificate of Christian ministry process. This may include sending a reference letter before you can proceed.
- The procedure for Ordination, Transfer of Ordination or Certificate of Christian Ministry begins when candidates, following the guidelines given in this packet, submit two (2) copies of their paper to the Forest Lakes District office; 2309 Eagle Summit; Stevens Point, WI 54481 AND email one copy to info@forestlakes-efca.org four (4) months before desired council date. This thesis in paragraph form is presented at your ordination council.
- Once we receive two (2) copies of your thesis, we will call you to give details on scheduling an appointment with the District Board of Ministerial Standing (DBOMS) of your choice. There are three DBOMS in the FLD and you may choose to have your council at whichever location and date works best for you. (List is enclosed in this packet).
- Each candidate must meet with the DBOMS for a personal 3 ½ hour interview concerning ministry and doctrine. It is the board’s desire that the candidate’s spouse also come along for the interview.
- The members of your ordination council must include: five (5) ordained EFCA pastors (which are the men on the DBOMS team) and 3-5 laymen from your church (only 3 lay people will be allowed to vote). You are asked to choose the lay members of your council.
- After you have chosen a date, it will be your responsibility to follow the timeline listed below: (Details also listed on Timeline Checklist included). (1) Contact the DBOMS chairman and a mentor will be assigned to you (2) E-mail your paper to your mentor, who will review your paper for content and format, and answer any questions you have about the process. Once your mentor has reviewed your paper, it will be returned in enouth time to make any recommended changes (3) Make all recommended changes and once again return it to your mentor at least six (6) weeks before the date of your ordination council (4) Once you have received approval from your mentor, four (4) weeks before the date of your ordination concil you must MAIL a corrected copy of your ordination thesis to the FLD, each member of your council, and the lay people you have invited to participate.
- Before your council, proceed through the checklist on the Application. Once you have the forms completed, mail the originals to the FLD office as soon as possible.
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Council Secretary - You must provide someone to serve as secretary of your council. This is a very important responsibility. If your secretary does not do the job well, it could hold up your ordination. Please read the enclosed paper, “Secretary’s Guidelines (Ordination Council).” If you desire, for a $100 fee, a secretary can be furnished by your DBOMS council. This fee includes the preparation of the draft and final copies of the transcript. This fee may be paid for by your church. Please notify your mentor if you need this service.
- After the council, you will have the opportunity to make one final edit on your paper, which will need to be approved by your mentor.
- Within two (2) weeks after your ordination council, following the final edit and approval of your paper, please send one copy, front and back, of your thesis to the FLD AND email one copy to info@forestlakes-efca.org. Also send your council minutes, council tape(s) and council membership form, along with the council’s recommendation, which should be included in the council minutes, to the Forest Lakes District Office. Please note: Several individuals have had their paperwork held up because the council recommendation was not included in the minutes. Make sure that your council secretary is aware of this.
- Once we have received all the above mentioned paperwork, all materials are sent to the Board of Ministerial Standing of the Evangelical Free Church of America (National office).
- When we have heard from them concerning your status (usually within 60 days), we will then proceed to set a date for your Ordination Service or service for receiving Certificate of Christian Ministry.
- For a Transfer of Ordination, please note: a photocopy of your original ordination certificate must be presented to the District Superintendent. It will be held in trust at the Evangelical Free Church Home Office. Also, there is no service required for a transfer.
- Once the FLD receives your ordination certificate, we will mail it to you. When we receive the invoice from the National office we will forward it to you for payment. The payment is to be mailed directly to the National office. Presently the cost of the certificate is $30.00 and we suggest that your church pay for this certificate.
Stevens Point, WI 54481 Phone: 715-344-4288
E-Mail: info@forestlakes-efca.org