Levels of Credentials

An Associate Minister (First Year)

An Associate Minster is an individual that has demonstrated a desire to go to the next level in his/her spiritual walk and service. They have progressed in their development and relationship with Christ. Additionally a servants heart to touch others has been apparent.

The Associate Minister is one who has a ministry beyond the usual and customary local church functions. This could be defined as ministry of helps or para-church ministries including those listed in 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 12:27-28 NET “Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it. And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues.”

Descriptive of such ministries are jail or detention center Out reaches, prison ministries, hospital visitation, nursing home or assisted living connection, local street evangelism, music ministry, small group leaders, Celebrate Recovery, etc.

As an Associate Minister, he/she will function in this capacity for a minimum of one {1) year under the oversight of the local pastor. Demonstration of loyalty to the local church function, support of the pastoral staff and openness to serve faithfully under spiritual covering.

The Associate Minister will be in attendance at church functions, conferences that are held in that local church and outreach efforts. In addition to their ministry assignment, The Associate Minister will demonstrate a willingness to operate and fill in for whatever functions that the church may have, i.e. Driver, Armor Bearer, Assist in teaching Sunday School, Usher, Greeter

An Associate Minister must work in harmony with the Holy Spirit and under the direction of the local pastor and always be loyal.

Licensed Minister (2nd Year)

The Licensed Minister must meet all of the qualifications and requirements of the Associate Minister. Have consistently demonstrated the ability to function in viable ministry. Expressed a desire to advance and been endorsed by a licensed or ordained minster.

This credential allows the credential holder to fill the pulpit, to perform legal ceremonies (i.e.) weddings, funerals, etc. The credential holder must be apt to teach, mature in the faith, and must work in harmony with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

2 Timothy 2:24 NIV. “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”

A Licensed Minister can function as a pastor, an assistant pastor, youth pastor, Sunday school teacher, etc. As a Licensed Minister of the Gospel this individual will be able to officiate in all public ceremonies (functions) such as, baby dedications, church membership inductions, water baptism, funerals and weddings.

Spiritual Commission (First Year)

The vision for “Marketplace Commissioning” is to provide the same spiritual benefits to those who have a call and assignment of God on their life, but do not function in the classic roles of ministry. Many are professionals from various medical, legal and business roles. Some are business owners or investors. Others serve in civic and/or governmental positions and look out for the welfare of our society.

“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG

The commonality for all of these roles is that they serve in society with a “Biblical Kingdom Mindset.” They believe that they are called to advance the Kingdom of God in the broader society as the Church, by serving in non-traditional functions. Many often have a stronger commitment to this function, than to the more traditional church activities.  Their desire is to impact the culture where they serve, with the Gospel message and Kingdom methods.

Our Spiritual Commissioning Process is man's recognition of what God has already done and is continuing to do in the life of the individual, that qualifies him or her to move into a distinct, visible, spiritual leadership role in the marketplace. When provided with such credentials it serves to highlight the individual’s spiritual life and testimony.

Spiritual commissioning provides both accountability and spiritual covering.  The accountability helps to focus the unique assignment and the spiritual covering provides prayer support, encouragement, networking, ongoing Biblical marketplace training and any necessary spiritual counsel.  Additionally, this credential contributes to community recognition and fosters a strengthening and legitimacy to one’s call.

Ordained Minister (Third Year)

It is important to note that a certificate of ordination is not a mandate to pastor and the title of Ordained Minister is not synonymous with pastoring a flock. Often a legal requirement for those ministering in a public arena.

This credential is normally issued to those people with a definable full-time or primary vocation ministry. Exceptions are made for those demonstrating the need for such credentials. The offices of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, (the Five Fold Ministry Gifts)

Ephesians 4:11-12 NET. “It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ,”.

Others serving in a vocational description of counselor, missionary, psalmist or otherwise are responsible for the spiritual leadership of at least 25 people. as well as Ministries such as, Chaplain, Government Worker or Business Owner or Leader.

The candidate must be known to Covenant Ministerial Association for a minimum of one (1) year, usually carrying a ministerial license consistently for a (2) year period. During this timeframe providing periodic reports to Covenant Ministerial Association overseers.

The minimum 2 year time period may be waived if the applicant is currently ordained by another recognized ministry for over one year and meets all other requirements.

Ordination may be awarded after a thorough search of a person's references and the endorsement of other ministers who know the results of their ministry and two pastoral recommendation. The Covenant Ministerial Association elder board will review the credential application of each candidate. Should the CMA overseers acknowledge the call and gifting of God on the individual, the recommendation will be forwarded to the Covenant Ministerial Association President for final acceptance.

The candidate for ordination will meet all the qualifications and requirements of the Associate Minister and Licensed Minister.

A public laying-on-hands service should be arranged for CMA Ministers receiving ordination. This service may be held at the candidate's own church in conjunction with their pastor, leadership and CMA officials. Alternate arraignments for ordination can be made at CMA Headquarters, a CMA function, or arrangements can be made with the CMA home office. The Pastoral staff will anoint the candidate as recognition to the believers of what God has already done. The anointing ceremony is also transference of the anointing for the activation and increase of the ministry gifts and a way of and strengthening and sending the individual forward into the ministry.

The newly Ordained Minister of the gospel is able to immediately function in all matters pertaining to his or her ministry and legally officiate at all functions.

CMA Credentialing Standards

1. Requirements to receive credentials

a.  Born of the Spirit, baptized in water, and baptized in the Holy Spirit.
b.  Comply with scriptural requirements of church leadership (e.g. 1 Timothy 3)
c.  Be actively engaged in a specific ministry beyond typical church involvement:

i. Associate Minister - ministry of helps or support ministry.
ii. Ministry License - Full-time pastoral or senior ministry leadership.
iii. Spiritual Commission - Leaders in Marketplace Ministry
iv. Ordination - Office of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher (Ephesians 4:11,12)

1. Transferred from another organization, and/or
2. Show evidence of fruit of your ministry and a need for ordination.

d.  Be currently involved in or immediately entering into a definable ministry of greater responsibility then that which is expected of all members of the body of Christ, and  provided a written description of your ministry.
e.   Be currently involved with, and submitted to a local church.
f.  Be examined and approved by CMA overseers.

2. Purpose:

to provide legal and spiritual recognition and oversight, thus affirming the calling and ministry from God and agreeing with local church appointment and commissioning; to assist ministers in the fulfillment of their call.

3. Benefits:

a.  Enables performance of legal ceremonies, weddings and funerals (license and ordination).
b.  Provides access to jails, prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric centers, and other institutions with restricted access.
c.  Furnishes channels for ministry outreach.
d.  Provides church problem mediation.
e.  Furnishes pulpit supply or other short term or long term ministry.
f.   Provides district meetings, conferences and seminars.
g.  Supplies apostolic leaders and elders to assist you.
h.  Introduces missionary, pastor and teaching situations.
i.   Provides an information clearing house for things of interest to ministers.
j.   Provides training seminars and ministry enhancement opportunities.
k.  Provides a basis of fellowship with like-minded ministers and ministries.
l.    Sponsors annual and periodic conferences to gather fellowship members.
m.  Provides a system of connection and endorsement for CMA Affiliated Church