CALLING AND MINISTRY STUDIES (CAMS)

The credentialing of Church of God ministers is a ministry formation process. In this process, the church partners with the individuals in order to help them develop the abilities to fulfill their divine call and place in ministry. This developmental journey occurs through personal discovery, education, training, and becoming a credentialed minister in the Church of God.

The vision and mission of the Church of God are integral contributing parts in the journey. There are two sections to CAMS—seminars and individual study. The purposes of the seminars are (1) to identify how the individuals know they have a divine call, (2) to explain what the meaning and practices of ministry are, and (3) to assist the applicants in determining what their divine call is and in understanding what ministry is. The seminars are attended by both applicants and spouses.

STEPS IN CAMS PROCESS

  • Please have your pastor contact the credentialing department at the state office to request an application.

  • All applicants will be screened with a background check and credit history.

  • All CAMS applicants are required to make monthly payments to ensure that their account is paid in full upon the completion date of CAMS.

  • The following items must be submitted along with your application:

    • $100 check which includes your background check CAMS application fee

    • A twelve-month faithful tithing and attendance record will be requested from your local church.

    • Two letters of recommendation

    • Copy of your driver’s license or state issued identification

  • If the applicant or applicant’s spouse has been divorced, additional forms must be completed and returned to the credentialing department. Please let the credentialing secretary know that you will need the divorce and remarriage forms in addition to you CAMS packet.

    (Divorce and Remarriage must be approved by the Administrative Bishop, State Council and the International Executive Committee.)

The cost for CAMS is:

  • $538 Single person

  • $608 Married Couple

  • $788 Married couple who both seeking credentials

Please mail all information to: Delmarva-DC Church of God Regional Executive Office, Credentialing Department 7127 Long View Rd., Columbia, MD 21044

CAMS semesters run January-March & August-November each year based on the number of candidates.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • CAMS (mandatory) Candidate Interviews are held in April & November

  • CAMS application packets must be received in the office no later than March 1st for the April interview/November semester & October 1st for the November interview/January semester

Any questions can be directed to Nicole Pope @410-995-8921 or nicole.pope@cogdelmarva-dc.org

MINISTERIAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (MIP)

The Ministerial Internship Program (MIP) is mandated by the General Assembly of the Church of God as a requirement for all Exhorters before advancing to the rank of Ordained Minister. The basic purpose of the MIP is to give the beginning minister and his/her spouse a practical training experience at the local level under the supervision of a pastor. It is a nine-month program consisting of monthly seminars for both minister and spouse, individual study, and a ministry practicum under the mentorship of a supervising pastor to whom the intern is assigned.

STEPS & REQUIREMENT IN MIP PROCESS

  • Please contact the credentialing department at the state office and request an application.

  • Background check fee of $100 is to be submitted with the application.

  • Exhorter must be current with his/her monthly minister’s reports for the last six months.

  • A twelve-month tithing record.

The cost for MIP is:

  • $1,550 Married Couple

  • $1,300 Singles

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • MIP semesters begin in September of each year

  • MIP application packets must be received in the office no later than July 1st for the Fall semester.

MINISTERIAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTION

Exhorter

  1. Applicant must have a CAMS certificate or have been exempt from CAMS.

  2. Examined by the Examining Board.

  3. Order study guide and prepare for the examination.

  4. The administrative bishop schedules the date, time and location of the examination and informs the applicant. Applicant is notified of the upcoming testing date.

  5. If an applicant wishes to test, they must notify the credentialing secretary 30 days prior to the test date of their interest in testing.

Ordained Minister

  1. Applicant must have a MIP certificate or have been exempt from MIP.

  2. Obtain and complete an application for ordained minister rank.

  3. Request the recommendation of the local pastor and/or regional bishop.

  4. Must be current with his/her monthly minister’s reports for the last six months.

  5. A twelve-month faithful tithing and attendance record will be requested from your local church.

  6. Order study guide and prepare for the examination.

  7. The administrative bishop schedules the date, time and location of the examination and informs the applicant. Applicant is notified of the upcoming testing date.

  8. Testing takes place in April & November of each year.

  9. If an applicant wishes to test, they must notify the credentialing secretary 30 days prior to the test date of their interest in testing.

Ordained Bishop

  1. Contact the state office and request the ordained bishop application.

  2. Request the recommendation of the local pastor and/or regional bishop.

  3. Must be current with his/her monthly minister’s reports for the last six months.

  4. A twelve-month faithful tithing and attendance record will be requested from your local church.

  5. If the applicant and/or the applicant’s spouse have divorce and remarriage history, the applicant must complete the documentation statement and make sure that all questionnaire forms have been submitted and approved. Advancement to ordained bishop will require the approval of the administrative bishop, two-thirds majority vote of the state council and two-thirds majority vote of the executive council.

  6. Order study guide and prepare for examination.

  7. The administrative bishop schedules the date, time and location of the examination and informs the applicant.

  8. If an applicant wishes to test, they must notify the credentialing secretary 30 days prior to the test date of their interest in testing.

Any questions can be directed to Nicole Pope @ 410-995-8921 or Nicole.pope@cogdelmarva-dc