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Licensed and Unlicensed
Ministry Standards
Licensed, and Ordained Ministry
Blessed
Redeemer is a priesthood of all believers, where all members are encouraged
to develop and operate according to their identified, and affirmed gifts
Unlicensed Ministry
1 Peter 4:10-12
If any man speak, let him speak as the
oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which
God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to
whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen
Minister = Title “ Minister”
One who
has an identified calling in a specific area of ministry in which they have
already shown evidence of diligent and effective operation. A minister must
clearly, consistently, and effectively operate in their area of ministry
before approaching the Pastor, board, or membership.
Time
constraint:
In Consistent, Faithful Fellowship for Six Months
Pre-requisites: Full/Active Membership, Regular
Worship and Bible Study Attendance. Tithe time, talent, treasure. Training
with the Pastor, ( or designee) majority Vote by the board (Deacon/Trustees)
followed by a majority vote by Full/Active Members of the church.
Ministers are unofficial members of the Pastoral staff. Ministers are
unlicensed because ministers operate within their ministry outside of the 2
year time constraint required by every other level of ministry. Ministers do
not sit on the pulpit, and are not members of the board.( unless nominated
by the church) All ministers are subject to those who operate within the
licensed and ordained order of the church, and can have ministry privileges
revoked after 3 months due to lack of service or repeated, unrepentant
behavior inconsistent with The Word Of God
Licensed Ministry
Ephesians 4:10-12
He that descended is the same also that
ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)And he
gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of
the body of Christ:
Missionary = Title “Missionary”
One who
has an identified calling to the building up of The Kingdom in a specific
identified area of passion, gifting, or commitment that is synch with the
Bible-based beliefs of this body the missionary
must clearly,
consistently, and passionately demonstrate their calling before approaching
the pastor, board or membership for licensing.
Time
constraint:
In Consistent, Faithful Fellowship for two years
Pre-requisites:
One year as a faithful Minister at
Blessed Redeemer
Full/Active Membership, Regular Worship
and Bible Study Attendance. Tithe time, talent, treasure. Biblical Studies
in your mission field at Eastern Christian School of Ministry or its
accredited equivalent, Training with the Pastor, ( or designee) majority
Vote by the board (Deacon/Trustees) followed by a majority vote by
Full/Active Members of the church
Missionaries are unofficial members of the Pastoral staff. The Missionary
is a licensed order. Missionaries can serve on the pulpit staff, ( In Lieu
of those serving in the ordained order) Missionaries are not members of the
Executive board ( Unless nominated and voted onto the Executive board)
Missionaries are subject to those who operate within the ordained order of
the church. Missionaries licenses must be renewed every two years, and may
be revoked for lack of service or repeated, unrepentant behavior
inconsistent with the calling and The Word Of God.
Evangelist =Title “ Evangelist
One who
has an identified calling in outreach, evangelism( winning souls) preaching,
teaching, and outreach. An evangelist must clearly, consistently, and
passionately demonstrate their calling before approaching the pastor, board
or membership for licensing.
Time
constraint:
In Consistent, Faithful Fellowship for two years
Pre-requisites:
One year as a faithful Minister at
Blessed Redeemer
Full/Active Membership, Regular Worship
and Bible Study Attendance. Tithe time, talent, treasure. Biblical Studies
in Both Old Testament & New Testament Eastern
Christian
School of
Ministry
or its accredited equivalent,
Training with the Pastor, ( or designee) majority
Vote by the board (Deacon/Trustees) followed by a majority vote by
Full/Active Members of the church
Evangelist are unofficial members of the Pastoral staff. The Evangelist is
a licensed order. Evangelists can serve on the pulpit staff, ( In Lieu of
those serving in the ordained order) Evangelists are not members of the
Executive board ( Unless nominated and voted onto the executive board) All
Evangelists are subject to those who operate within the ordained order of
the church. Evangelist licenses must be renewed every two years, and may be
revoked for lack of service or repeated, unrepentant behavior inconsistent
with the calling and The Word Of God.
Ordained Ministry
Local Church Ordinations
Deacon=
Title “Deacon”
Deacons
are Called/Selected
One who
has an identified within the flock as “Persons of good reputation, full of
the Holy Spirit and wisdom”
Acts 6:3
Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much
wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure
conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as
deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not
slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands
of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who
have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great
boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
I Timothy 3:8-13
The
Deacon Ministers to the flock, (teacher/preacher) & Leads in both spiritual
& administrative duties of the church.
Time
constraint:
In Consistent, faithful Fellowship for Three Years
Pre-requisites: Deacons must be called/nominated
by the Pastor or the Board. Full/Active Membership, Regular Worship and
Bible Study Attendance. Tithe, time, talent, treasure.
Eastern
Christian
School of Ministry or its accredited equivalent
( certificate of biblical studies) (6 courses)
Training with the Pastor,( or designee)
majority acceptance of your nomination by the board, followed by a majority
vote by Full/Active Members of the church
Deacons
are official members of the Pastoral staff. Deacons serve on the pulpit
staff, (In Lieu of Ordained Elders) Deacons preside over the Executive
Board. (Trustees until 7 Deacons have been called) Deacons are subject to
rotation, and are limited to three consecutive years of office. (A two year
break in service is required) Once Ordained, always Ordained as a Deacon of
This church, Deacon Ordination is not transferable. Ordination privileges
may be revoked for lack of service or repeated, unrepentant behavior
inconsistent with The Word of God.
Local Elders =
Title “Elder”
The
Local Elders ordination is a local ordination recognized by this body, or
churches/ministries birthed out of this body. The Local Elder oversees
spiritual and administrative duties of the local church, as delegated by the
pastor and the Board,
The Local Elder
must clearly, consistently, and passionately demonstrate their calling
before approaching the pastor, board or membership for licensing.
Time
constraint:
In Consistent, Faithful, Fellowship for Three years
Pre-requisites: Local Elders must be called
and have already faithfully served in the licensed or deacon order of this
church. Full/Active Membership, Regular Worship and Bible Study Attendance.
Tithe, time, talent, treasure. A Bachelors degree in Bible/Theology or its
equivalent (from a regionally accredited ABC approved Bible College or
seminary) or an
ESCM
Diploma of Pastoral Studies/Biblical & Theological Studies, from Eastern
Christian School of Ministry or its accredited equivalent and Training
with the Pastor, (or designee) followed by a majority vote by the Board and
The Full/Active Members of the church
Local
elders are official members of the Pastoral staff. The Local Elder is a
locally ordained order; (Not an ABCNJ/USA Ordained Reverend) Local elders
serve on the pulpit staff, (In Lieu of Those Ordained). Local Elder
ordination is not transferable. The Ordination Certificate received by the
Local Elder is only valid for 3 years. After three years the Local Elder
will be re-evaluated by The Executive Board. Local Ordination privileges may
be revoked for lack of service or repeated, unrepentant behavior
inconsistent with The Word of God.
Universal Ordinations
Ordained
Elder/ Ordained Missionary = Reverend
The
Reverend possess and ordination status that is recognized locally,
regionally, nationally, and internationally. The Reverend oversees both
spiritual and administrative duties of the church, as delegated by the
pastor. Trains and assists in the overseeing of all other licensed and
unlicensed staff. The Reverend is eligible to candidate for an existing
American Baptist church, a Pastoral Vacancy, Local and Global Missions,
Interim pastoral supply, or after 3-5 of faithful service, may be voted
eligible to plant a ministry supported by Blessed Redeemer. Reverends will
be non-voting members of the Executive Council who may sit in on Executive
Council by invitation only. Once ordained, always Ordained as a
Missionary/Elder, unless ordination is revoked for repeated, unrepentant
behavior inconsistent with The Word Of God.
Time
constraint:
In Consistent, Faithful, and Fellowship for Three years
Pre-requisites: Full/Active Membership, Regular
Worship and Bible Study Attendance. Tithe, time, talent, treasure. Training
with the Pastor, (or designee) followed by a majority vote by the
Board and The Full/Active Members of the church
Education: Bachelors Degree from an
accredited college,
&
A Master’s Of Divinity Degree ( or it’s
equivalent) From an ABCNJ approved, fully accredited seminary.
Then The Candidate Must Follow The Ordination
Standards as outlined By The American Baptist Churches Of New Jersey/USA
which includes:
·
Blessed
Redeemer Majority Vote for Licensing
·
Mailing
of The Affirmation letter to ABCNJ/USA
·
Application to The Committee on Professional Ministry and Church Relations
·
Formal
Meeting with The Committee on Professional Ministry and Church Relations
·
Submission of all Documentation required by The Committee on Professional
Ministry and Church Relations
·
Selection of a Sponsor ( An Ordained Sr. ABC Pastor, 2 years ordained)
(after
all of the above is complete)
·
Recommendation from the local
ABCNJ
Church for Ordination readiness
·
Baptist
Polity Course & Ethic Course ( these course should be included in your
seminary selections to avoid having to take additional courses after
graduation)
·
Signed
Covenant and Code of Ethics of The Minster’s Council of ABCNJ/USA
·
Psychological/ Career Evaluation (3 Days at The Career Development Center)
·
Writing
of The Ordination Paper
·
Examination of Your Paper by a Local ABCNJ Ordination Council (2 Reps
from the churches in The Capital Association )
·
Vote Of
The Ordination Council
·
Your
Local
Church
Plans Your Ordination Service
Senior
Pastor =Title “ Pastor”
The Sr.
Pastor must be ordained according to the American Baptist Church of New
Jersey /USA standard, or it’s Ordination/Educational/Procedural Equivalent
as represented by other mainline denominations.
The
Senior Pastor oversees all spiritual and administrative matters of the
church. The Sr. Pastor serves as the chair ex-officio, for all
administrative matters, and the prophetic visionary concerning all spiritual
matters of the church.
Time constraint: 3-5 Years of Experience in
Ordained Pastoral Ministry (Assistant or Senior Pastor)
Pre-requisites: Must Be an Ordained Elder
consistent with ABC Ordination Standards /Sr. Pastor Must Possess Master’s
Of Divinity Degree From an ABCNJ approved, fully accredited seminary ( or
its equivalent ie... (D.Min, PhD, D.Th) from a regionally accredited
Seminary.
Ordained
By The American Baptist Churches Of New Jersey/USA
Assistant Pastor
The
Assistant Pastor must be ordained according to the American Baptist Church
of New Jersey /USA standard, or it’s Ordination/Educational/Procedural
Equivalent as represented by other mainline denominations.
Assistant Pastor assists in overseeing spiritual and administrative matters
of the church. (As assigned by the Sr. Pastor & Executive Board)
Time constraint: 2 Years of Experience in Ordained
Ministry
Pre-requisites: Must Be an Ordained Elder
consistent with ABC Ordination Standards /Assistant Pastor’s must posses a
level Degree From an ABCNJ approved, fully accredited seminary
Ordained
By The American Baptist Churches Of New Jersey/USA
or it’s Ordination/Educational/Procedural
Equivalent as represented by other mainline denominations
The
Office of A Prophet
5/22/2004
(Composed By The Late Prophet Harold Hannibal
Eph:
4:11
“And he
gave some, apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists; and some
pastors and teachers”
A
prophet/prophetess is:
“A
person who speaks by divine inspiration or as the interpreter through whom a
divinity (God) expresses his will. The chief spokeman for God. One who
speaks beforehand proclaimer, spokeman, or interpreter for God. A Propetess:
A female prophet.
A
mouth-piece for God.
Those called to this office must keep their ear at the mouth of God, because
the call is to speak “what God would have us to speak.”
The
first time the word prophet is use in the bible is found in Gen 20:7 “
Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a PROPHET, and he shall
pray for thee, and thou shalt live, and if thou restore her not, know thou
that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
Our God
calls Abram a prophet. Another place that God uses the word prophet is in
Exodus 4:10-16 and the reason why I am using this scripture is because it
speaks about us being a mouth piece for God. Exodus 4:10-12
Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am
not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but
I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” So the LORD said to him, “Who
has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the
blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your
mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
The
office of a prophet/prophetess must come from God. It’s not just something
that we dream up and in the morning, “ bingo” we are the prophet of God.
The cultivation of the gift takes time, prayer, study, submission, suffering
and tears.
The
Prophet must be appointed by God, and Not everyone will be appointed to this
office. Let’s look at Eph 4:11.
“And he gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some
pastor’s/teachers.”
As I
look at this verse closely is let’s me know why everyone will not be called
to this office. The key word being “SOME” to me some means less than all.
He
didn’t leave everyone this office he only left some.
Let’s
look at another scripture 1 Corinthians 12:28-31
Now you are the body of Christ, and members
individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles,
second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of
healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles?
Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all
have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But
earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
We must
understand that all will not be in this office, and we must be called by God
or another prophet can lay hands on us to be in this office.
Look at
Exodus 7:1
So the LORD
said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your
brother shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you.
And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out
of his land.
As we
see here that Aaron received his call by the mouth of God. But Elisha came
by the laying on of an mantle.
1 King
19:15-16
“Then the LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the
Wilderness of
Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over
Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king
over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint
as prophet in your place.
1 King
19:20
“So he
departed thence and found Elisha the son of shaphat who was plowing with
twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth and Elijah passed by
him and cast his mantle upon him.
The Office Of Prophet
Purpose: Standing on the Word of God
Support, guide, uplift, correct, counsel,
the Members and leaders of the flock to which you have been called to the
Edification of the Body.
Time
Constraint: Gods Time
Prerequisites: The humility of mind and spirit, the training
of the ear, the awareness of the appropriate time, the knowledge of when to
speak, and when to whisper, and when to pray and never say a word.
Confidentiality and the control of the tongue.
Training, by an anointed, appointed, and
confirmed prophet of God will bring forth The joyful and uncompromised
recognition of your gift by the body in which you serve. Discipline. The ability to listen and not
speak.
The Obvious manifestation of an Intense
fasting, prayer and study life. A prophet must Know The Word of God, so
that when you are spoken to ( By God). God only speaks consistent with His
Word and His Will. When you speak, your speech will be out of the God’s
Word, and only out of His Word. You must know it inside out.
Ecclesiastes 1: 9- 11
That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be
done, And there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it
may be said, “ See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times
before us. There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any
remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.
Submission to the Angels of the house and
senior prophets is key, God is not a God of disorder, and nothing is to
hidden from the angel of the house. A prophet does not bring disunity;
he/she is a facilitator of unity.
A prophet does not call him/herself, It is
God that does the calling, and the gift ( which may already be present) is
birthed by desire and discipline, and the willingness to stand, and be
sacrificial.
2Kings
2: 9-15
And it came to pass, when they
were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee,
before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double
portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing:
nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto
thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
And it came to pass, as they
still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire,
and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a
whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my
father, the chariot of
Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him
no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
He took up also the mantle of
Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote
the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had
smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at
Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah
doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the
ground before him.
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