Information regarding Local Pastor Certificate Documentation

The Local Pastor Certificate is a temporary document, in that it expires every two years, is issued to qualified laymen authorizing the bearer to provide ministerial leadership while completing the educational requirements that would qualify him to obtain a Ministerial License, as an entry level to the church’s professional ministry.

QUALIFICATIONS: To apply, you must:

  1. Be a legal resident of the United States or Canada.
  2. Applicants must be 20 years of age.
  3. Have been a member of the Church of God (Seventh Day) for two years.
  4. Complete the Local Pastor Orientation program from Artios Christian College, or its equivalent, or competency exams no later than February 15.
    • Official transcripts for education earned outside of LifeSpring School of Ministry/ Artios Christian College must be sent to the License & Credentials Committee, at the address above, no later than December 1.
  5. Have the support of your district and a local assignment.
    • a. The local church board of the congregation to which you are assigned must send a letter directly to the Custodian of Records and the District Superintendent, no later than November 1, in which they name your responsibilities and give their endorsement on behalf of the congregation. You cannot apply until this is received.
    • b. The District Superintendent of the district in which you are assigned must send a letter of endorsement directly to the Custodian of Records, no later than November 30, reflecting his endorsement and naming the local church to which you will be assigned. You cannot apply until this is received.
      Note: Your District Superintendent must also complete a reference form (which he will receive from the License and Credentials Committee after you have applied). 
  6. Agree to the pre-application agreement.
  7. Demonstrate mature leadership as described in 1 Tim 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
  8. Have the ability to preach and teach the Word of God.
  9. Uphold the doctrines of the Church of God (Seventh Day) in the Statement of Faith.
  10. Support the polity of the Church, including giving tithe and offerings.
  11. Practice holding personal devotions and prayer daily.

DATES: The committee will review applications at their annual meeting in the end of February. Applicants must comply to the following dates in order for their application to be reviewed by the committee:

  • Application must be requested of the Custodian of Records (lcc.custodian@cog7.org) no later than November 1.
  • Qualifications items 1-4 must be met no later than December 1 in order to receive an application.
  • Applications must be completed and sent to the Custodian of Records no later than December 15.
  • References* and letters of recommendations** must be sent to the Custodian of Records no later than January 15. *Required references: District Superintendent of the district in which you currently reside and of your prospective assignment (if different); 2+ NAMC members; church board members or 3+ church members. **required Letter: local church treasurer, confirming your financial support (see qualification #9, above).
  • Applicants should be prepared for an interview during the February meeting. The committee will initiate setting this up.

RENEWAL: A Local Pastor Certificate expires every two years. The renewal of your certificate, as prescribed by the North American Ministerial Council, depends upon your completing 24 credits of continuing education in the Associate of Christian Leadership (Pastoral emphasis) from Artios Christian College, or its equivalent, until the Associate of Christian Leadership is earned.