Ministerial Licensing & Ordination

Policy & Requirements

Preamble

Greater Love Assembly Church, operating under the spiritual and legal covering of Word of Truth Ministries, bears the responsibility to set apart, examine, and send forth those called to gospel ministry (Acts 13:2–3; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6). This notice sets forth the coursework prerequisites established by the pastor for both ministerial licensing and ordination, and distinguishes the two credentials.

All credentials issued under this notice are ecclesiastical in nature — recognized within the body of Christ and among cooperating congregations — and do not constitute state licensure or secular academic certification, except where separately noted.

In keeping with the outpouring of the Spirit promised in Acts 2:17–18 (KJV) — "and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy" — and the commendation of Phoebe, a servant of the church, in Romans 16:1–2 (KJV), Greater Love Assembly Church affirms that the call to ministry, and therefore the prerequisites set forth in this notice, extend to both men and women. No candidate shall be excluded from licensing or ordination on the basis of sex; every requirement herein applies equally to all who are called of God and found duly prepared.

Part I — The Distinction Between Licensing and Ordination

Ministerial License (Entry-Level Credential)

A License to Minister is the initial credential for those who have demonstrated a call to ministry, completed the required coursework, and are actively serving under the oversight of Greater Love Assembly Church. It authorizes the licensee to:

• Preach and teach the Word within the local assembly and its affiliated works.
• Conduct prayer, altar ministry, and pastoral care under supervision.
• Officiate sacraments within the local body (communion, baby dedications, water baptism) under the presiding pastor's covering.
• Represent the church in community and cooperative settings.

A license is renewable annually, subject to active service, continued conduct, and ongoing formation. It is not a lifetime credential.

Ordination (Advanced Credential)

Ordination is the solemn setting-apart of a minister for lifetime gospel service, conferred by the laying on of hands after proven character, demonstrated fruit, and completed preparation. An ordained minister is authorized to:

• Officiate all sacraments and ordinances, including marriage solemnization (subject to civil registration), funerals, and the Lord's Supper.
• Plant, pastor, and lead congregations under the church's covering.
• Serve on the presbytery and participate in the ordination of others after proven tenure.
• Hold the title Reverend / Minister of the Gospel as a recognized officer of the church.

Ordination is conferred once and remains in good standing subject to continued affirmation of doctrine, conduct, and connection to the covering body.

Part II — Coursework Prerequisite

Fundamentals of Apologetics (THE301) is required of every candidate, without exception — every minister must be able to give a reasoned defense of the faith (1 Peter 3:15). Beyond Apologetics, the elective requirement differs by credential:

• For Licensing: Two (2) Electives — chosen from the Approved Elective List in Part IV, in consultation with the pastor and suited to the candidate's calling.
• For Ordination: Five (5) Electives — chosen from the Approved Elective List in Part IV. At least two of the five must be drawn from the Advanced tier, reflecting the greater depth expected of those set apart for lifetime ministry.

Part III — Distinguishing Requirements Beyond Coursework

A. For Licensing

In addition to the coursework in Part II, a candidate for license shall satisfy:

1. Personal Call and Testimony — a clear testimony of salvation and a recognized call to ministry, affirmed by the candidate's pastor and at least one elder.
2. Membership and Service — active membership in Greater Love Assembly Church (or an affiliated congregation of Word of Truth Ministries), with a documented record of service.
3. Doctrinal Affirmation — written affirmation of the Statement of Faith and Core Doctrines of Word of Truth Ministries.
4. Character and Conduct — a life consistent with 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1; submission to a confidential review by the presbytery.
5. Recommendation — written recommendation from the candidate's pastor and at least two mature members in good standing.
6. Interview — appearance before the Board of Elders for examination in calling, doctrine, and readiness.

B. For Ordination

In addition to the coursework in Part II (Apologetics plus five electives, two of them advanced), a candidate for ordination shall satisfy:

1. Tenure — having held a valid License to Minister for not less than two (2) years.
2. Proven Ministry — documented evidence of active, fruitful ministry over the licensing period, including preaching, pastoral care, and at least one sustained ministry assignment.
3. Preaching Proficiency — submission of at least three (3) sermon outlines or recordings reviewed by the presbytery.
4. Pastoral Competency — demonstrated ability in pastoral care and shepherding, verified by the candidate's supervising elder.
5. Continued Doctrine and Conduct — reaffirmation of the Statement of Faith and a renewed character review.
6. Ordination Council — appearance before an ordination council (the presiding bishop or his designee, at least three elders, and where available one visiting minister from a cooperating body).
7. Consecration — the laying on of hands with prayer by the presbytery at a public ordination service.

Part IV — Approved Elective List (Cross Life School of Divinity Catalog)

Candidates select two electives in consultation with the pastor. Codes map to live courses already offered through CLSD's accredited coursework.

Foundational & Intermediate Electives (open to licensing and ordination candidates)

Advanced Electives (at least one required for ordination; open to licensing candidates who desire depth)

Part V — Honoring Life and Ministry Experience

Greater Love Assembly Church recognizes that the Holy Spirit has historically called and equipped ministers through varied pathways. Therefore:

• Documented life and ministry experience — particularly for mature candidates with sustained pastoral, teaching, or leadership service — may be submitted for consideration by the pastor.
• The pastor may, at his discretion, count verified experience toward one or both elective requirements, or weigh it in the examination process.
• Equivalence shall never override the required Apologetics course, the affirmation of doctrine, the character review, or the laying on of hands — these remain non-negotiable for every candidate.

Part VI — Maintenance of Credentials

• A License to Minister is reviewed annually. Lapsed service, unresolved conduct concerns, or abandonment of doctrine results in non-renewal.
• Ordination is lifelong but remains in good standing only while the minister continues in faithful doctrine, conduct, and connection to the covering body. A minister who departs from the faith, is found in disqualifying conduct, or severs relationship with the church covering may have ordination status reviewed and, where warranted, revoked by the presbytery after due process.

Closing Charge

Let those who are called prepare themselves diligently, "study to show themselves approved unto God" (2 Timothy 2:15), and walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called. The laying on of hands is no light matter; neither is the work of the gospel.

Issued under the authority of the pastor and the Board of Elders of Greater Love Assembly Church, an entity of Word of Truth Ministries.