C.M.F.I. Credentials

www.cmfi-sonsofzion.org
CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES FELLOWSHIP, INTERNATIONAL

Christian Ministries Fellowship, International
405 0ld St. - Mt. Pleasant, TX. 75455

The work of the ministry is both divinely ordered and scripturally ordained in order to provide leadership and equip the church to carry out its commission in worshipping God, evangelizing the world, and perfecting the body of Christ.

Christian Ministries Fellowship, International recognizes and issues credentials to individuals who demonstrate the Call of God on their lives and who have proven themselves to be committed to the ministry. Four levels of credentialed ministry and one honorary level of recognition are afforded to the ministers of Christian Ministries Fellowship, International. All applicants for credentialed ministry shall meet with and be approved by the Credentials Committee prior to issue of credentials. All credentialed ministers shall have the authority to preach and teach, administer the ordinances of the church, and perform ministerial functions in keeping with the laws of the state in which they perform those services. Approval or disapproval of credentials will be made without regard to race, sex, national origin, or Physical disability.

Basic qualifications for all levels of ministry include:
Testimony of Salvation.
Evidence of the Call of God.
Christian character that is above reproach.

Agreement with the Articles of Faith of Christian Ministries Fellowship, International. Commitment to comply with the Constitution and By-Laws of Christian Ministries Fellowship, International. In addition to the basic qualifications for credentialed ministers, the following qualifications apply to the specific levels of ministry as identified below:

C.M.F.I. issues five separate minister's credentials. Request for application may be made by writing to the Fellowship Headquarters'. Credentials are renewed annually every August after a ministry update and current ministry reporting has been sent to and reviewed by the Fellowship's board.

The Ordination Board meets quarterly. If you are one who is interested in making application for credentials with us, please review the types of credentials that we issue and write for application papers and process information. Following application, you will be required to meet with the Ordination Board. Credentials may also be upgraded in the same manner as new applications.

Types of Minister's Credentials that we issue:

Special Worker:

Applicants for Special Worker shall be persons involved in Non-Preaching types of ministry. Examples of Special Workers include: Teachers, Administrators, Music/Drama/Arts, Charitable Work (Food Banks, etc.), Hospital/Nursing Home Visitations, etc. They shall be involved in ministry under the direction and oversight of a local church/Pastor or other recognized ministry. Applicants shall be no younger than sixteen years of age and shall have worked in their ministry for at least one year prior to application for Special Worker.

Exhorter:

Applicants for Exhorter shall be persons beginning into the ministry, shall meet as nearly as possible the scriptural qualifications for ministry as described in l Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus l: 7-9. They shall be involved in ministry under the direction and oversight of a local Pastor or other recognized minister. Applicants shall be no younger than sixteen years of age and shall have worked with their senior minister for at least one year prior to application for Exhorter.

Licensed Minister:

Applicants for License shall be persons having an active ministry, shall meet the scriptural qualifications for ministry as described in l Timothy 3:l-7 and Titus l: 7-9. They shall be involved in ministry such as Pastoring, Evangelism, Missions, Teaching, or Church Administration. Applicants shall be no younger than twenty years of age and shall have held the level of "Exhorter" (or equivalent) for at least one year prior to application for License.

Ordained Minister:

Applicants for Ordination shall be persons of mature experience and proven ministry, shall meet the scriptural qualifications for ministry as described in l Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus l: 7-9. They shall be involved in FULL TIME ministry such as Pastoring, Evangelism, Missions, Teaching, or Church.

Administration. Applicants shall be no younger than 25 years of age, and shall have held the level of "Licensed Minister" (or equivalent) for at least one year prior to application for Ordination. Ordination gives full privileges of the ministry, such as performance of marriages, communion, baptisms, etc.

Doctorate of Divinity:

The Doctorate of Divinity is an honorary recognition granted to those of proven service to God and Man throughout their years of ministry. Recipients shall be persons who have committed themselves to the training of ministers as well as taking the Light of the Gospel to the lost. Recipients shall be persons having at least thirty years of continual ministry in the Word (preaching, teaching, pastoral, evangelism, missionary, etc) and who have passed the examination of the Credentials Committee. Doctorate of Divinity is awarded through nominations and recommendations only. Applications or requests will not be considered from those seeking to hold this certificate themselves.

Ministers who give personal counseling need to check with their state officials (Court House) as some State laws require special counselors licenses before a minister can legally provide that service.

Also, it is necessary for you to check with your local Court House to see if your State law requires your license to be registered and bonded before you perform weddings.

Associate Churches

C.M.F.I. has active subordinate or associate churches in different parts of the United States. All Associate churches, in order to get their own State Tax Exemption must fill out the proper forms with their State government. Any special postage permits must be applied for Through your local Post Office.