Ministerial Papers?

How many of you hold ministerial papers..of some sort?I attend a Non-denominational church, and am actively involved in Ministry. However, I do not hold papers of any sort.Going to school is out of the question, (I'm in my mid 40's).I guess what I'm asking is what do each of you feel about having papers...or a license to preach?Thanks,Mark

Well, like you, I certainly believe that if God calls a person to the Ministry, then that settles it.However, my son is going to Bible College right now, and sometimes I wish I had done the same years ago. I say "sometimes" because to tell you the truth, I have mixed feelings about it.I guess at times I wonder, if having papers would help me in any way. I've seen websites where you can get papers, but I am not familiar with these, and for that matter, can't seem to find them at the moment. Thanks for the response!

Greg, what comes to mind as I read your statement,"I personally believe there are no papers needed at all to be a minister of Christ, no man can call you to this, God MUST." Why do men lay aside the commandments of God for the doctrines of men? We are all called, it is the doctrines of men which tell us we have to have papers. I admire all who take a stand and preach the Word in season and out. God bless you brother

I hold none.I recall a story told about a preacher in Ireland. He was being heckled by the local priest who said he had no right to preach because he was not an 'ordained man'."Yes, I am." said the preacher"Who ordained you" said the priest"the 'bishop of all souls'", said the preacher (1Pet 2:25) :-P

I have papers, they say...foolish thing, weak thing, base thing, thing which is not :-P In Christ,Ron

Calvary Chapel does provide a means by which men can be trained up to serve God. It is both affordable and convenient. I know of a brother in another denomination, where he seeks to be established as an ordained minister. The burden of finance is great on his family. In my short time as a Christian I have experienced the lording over of men on one another. I have experienced the striving for paid positions. I have experienced the striving to be recognized as a pursuit amongst men. I too have been part of that miserable process. My pursuits in my flesh leave a bitter taste. There is nothing good that comes from this type of striving. This striving is common in today's church. We serve from a hypocritical faith. Papers and degrees are the sum of the trappings of this world. There are faithful servants with this paper and there are faithful servants without. Let the Lord decide for you in the way you should go.In ChristJeff

Mark,I'm working on my credentials right now. I've chosen to get mine via correspondance courses and they're not as easy as I first thought they would be but I'm saving about 30-40 thousand dollars. Holding papers is not as important as getting proper Biblical training. Bible school is profitable and even necessary for church leaders where the school remains faithful to the Lord. By necessary I mean that for a man of God who pastors a church or evangelizes, learning the Scriptures will be a life-long process that Bible school can greatly benefit.Going to school is out of the question, (I'm in my mid 40's).Don't let that stop you. I'm 32, and during the time I spent in Bible College I met many over the age of 40 and some in their 50's.In Christ,Jeremy Hulsey

Paul speaks of in 2 Cor 3:1-5 of letters of commendation, or what perhaps we would call a preaching license. Paul says in v. 2 that the Corinthian church itself is his letter of commendation, for all the world to read. One does not need a preachers license. If you are called to preach by God, then that is all you need. However, it can be nice to be affirmed by the body of Christ in such a way that they in might some official way recognize your call to ministry. The early Church though it did not require credintials to minister, did have an informal licensing program of sorts. It was for ministers being sent by the local church to another Church, such as when Phoebe in Romans 16:1 was sent to Rome, she came with a letter of recommendation of sorts. There are other such examples in the Scriptures, but I think this will suffice.

Wow, thanks for all the responses!I certainly want to study and learn more.Although raised in Church, I always want to learn more.College is out of the question mainly because of finances and committments. (not really my age)Your responses have been very encouraging.Currently, I lead a Christ Centered Addictive Recovery group at our Church. We meet twice a week...plus we are involved in outreach ministries to the community. Your prayers, and any comments or suggestions are very welcome.Thank God for you all..and this wonderful site!Mark

Paul speaks of in 2 Cor 3:1-5 of letters of commendation, or what perhaps we would call a preaching license. Paul says in v. 2 that the Corinthian church itself is his letter of commendation, for all the world to read.Yes, I think if you had been used by God to raise a flourishing church in the worst port in the Empire, that might suffice as 'credentials'. ;-) The early Church though it did not require credintials to minister, did have an informal licensing program of sorts. It was for ministers being sent by the local church to another Church, such as when Phoebe in Romans 16:1 was sent to Rome, she came with a letter of recommendation of sorts.I think we may be carrying our western 21st century mind set with us here. These personal recommendations are not at all the same as denominational credentials. They are letters from a well-regarded individual to commend Christians to each other. What is plain from 2 Cor 3 is that a semi-formal pattern had begun to emerge. My reading of the passage is that Paul was not impressed by the trend. The so-called scriptural 'letters of commendation' were occasional sentences in letters whose purpose was quite different. The 'commendation' was not the purpose of the letter as they would be in 'letters of commendation'.

I think we may be carrying our western 21st century mind set with us here. These personal recommendations are not at all the same as denominational credentials. They are letters from a well-regarded individual to commend Christians to each other.Like I said... a sorta informal way of doing it :) Indeed, it is not quite the same as today. Theirs was just a personal letter of recommendation vouching for the faithfulness of the minister a church was sending to another city. Had they phones 2000 years ago, they probably would've used those instead. Yes, I think if you had been used by God to raise a flourishing church in the worst port in the Empire, that might suffice as 'credentials'It is interesting to note that the apostle Paul probably would not have made such an argument as he did in 2 Cor 3 if the Corinths were still living as they were when 1 Cor was written. It is possible he still would have, but, maybe a little more reluctantly :)

Credientials---yes. But I'll say this. I'm an evangelist and I stay submitted to a local church and board as to accountability. The integrity with which you live your life in your local world and the people, (i.e. -- local pastors and elders and board members ect....),will go along way in helping to validate your ministry calling. What do you feel called to do? Papers aren't really as important as knowing that God's call is on your life and age isn't important. There' enough resource out there free that you can self study and by the Grace of God be as anointed as any other of God's vessels . If you have any more detailed questions I'd be happy to help ya.I started my credientialing process in my 40's after preaching on the streets from the time of my conversion in my 20's.God bless Daryl

If one is of a mind to now--they can get an excellant education here already,but it ll demand time and application,,much reading and alot of questioning---which , by the way I've observed people here are more than willing to help answer, and the sound library is very good.The only thing I can see it lacks is structure. Here's what I mean by structure.A clearly defined 1 2 3 through the bible and its doctrines.It's all already there , just not organized so as that an individual could adopt it as a course of study.Some of the things I've read hear on this site are phd level entries and could ,AND, I suspect are currently college level class room teachings by qualified professors.I personally enjoy this site and the people who submitt thier works here a great deal.So---that said I believe the dream is here complete but just not organized.God Bless---Bro.Daryl

Well, this all started with me wondering just what direction I should go in.I grew up in Church, Assembly of God...but when I was around 18 I ran from God, and lived in sin for many years. During all those years of sin though, I always new of the calling of God on my life.Before I new it, 20 years had gone by...20 years of Alcohol abuse, drug abuse..and sinful living.Since then, God has completely delivered me from Alcohol, and Crack Cocaine..among many other things.My calling I guess would mainly be evangilist...I feel a calling to the local church (to wake up!)..but also to those that are lost...and bound to this world and what it has to offer.Because of wasting so manny years of my life...I feel ashamed sometimes....and wish I had pursued God. I want more of Him...and hope soon to be able to be in the ministry full time.Everyone here is so encouraging...you will never know how much a site like this blesses people.

First let me say a few things that be foundational and might help ya. It's very important---let me say this again----It's very important that you get into a local fellowship and remain faithful in you personal walk with Christ in that fellowship.Learn to submitt to the authority over you and cultivate integrity in your personal life and your church life. Be willing to help where ever you find the need . Let the church leadership know of your desire to move toward ministry.All churches have some sort of program that will help you in bible studies. Start there and build a history with God and his people at a local congregation, learning to work though all the stuff people have to work through.This'll be valuable experience for the future.I detect that you're recently back to the Lord?If so be very slow in direction moves with your life learning to wait on the Lord with prayer and fastings and searchings through the Word of God.I've found it helpful to write the dates beside bible verses where I feel God has spoken to me out of his word.I look back on these during times of intense trials and dry periods. Cultivate a daily reading plan of the Word of God and learn to push through negative feelings in your obedience to God's Word. There's always a honeymoon period right after God has done something special,like a calling or salvations ect....Let the honeymoon end and learn to press through toward your call in the dead times.And lastly----DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TO SERIOUSLY---you'll lose your sense of humor and the ability to laugh at life, you 'll need that because the burden of the Lord and the call of an evangelist is a call to solitary places where you have to walk alone and remain holy in the midst of sometimes intense temptations and isolation.The wise man built his house -----dig deep---plan careful(and prayerful),but START.

dohzman,Thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement. I've been back with the Lord now for about 18 months.I am part of a great Church and do submit myself to the leadership.For quite sometime, I simply was faithful to Church, re-establishing my "footing" with my faith in God.In recent months, I have begun to lead a Addictive Recovery Bible Study, called "Road To Recovery"I just want to pour my heart and soul into this...well into my relationship with God.I have such a hunger, such a burden for the lost.At times, I can think of nothing else.Keep me in your prayers...and again...thanks.Mark

Brother Mark--I believe the Assemblies of God has a Bereans program you can take and they don't really require a college degree for you to be a credentialed minister. You're in a cutting edge ministry that takes a lot of dedication. You might want to ask your pastor if he'll help you to set up speaking engagements in churches where he is friends with the other pastors in your local area. There you can share what the Lord's doing and the burden on your heart ,in this way others will identify with you and a network or extended fellowship of likeminded believers will form.Also you'll get some much needed experience in the public speaking areana.Eventually this could be turned into a full time ministry. You'll be amazed how the Lord is able to open doors and supply your needs. I'll pray for ya and if you need anything let me know and I'll do what ever I can to help.God Bless Your Bro. In Christ, Daryl