Ministry Designation Application 1Explanation of Ministry Designation Options2Basic Information (6 questions)3Personal Background (8 questions)4Spiritual Background (7 questions)5Professional and Leadership (12 questions)6Biblical and Theological (25 questions)7Personal References (3 references are requested) We are thankful for your desire to be formally set apart to ministry (commissioning, licensing or ordination). This application plays an important role in helping us to get to know you better. Please be completely candid in answering these questions. Your responses are confidential and will only be viewed by the elders and appropriate pastoral staff. Some of the questions within this application are personal in nature. Please understand that we are not trying to “pry” into sensitive and private matters. Rather we simply ask these questions because we feel we have a Biblical obligation before God and an ethical obligation to our congregation to discern the character and background of one who would be set a part to serve as a licensed minister. In addition to questions that are personal in nature, we are also asking you to explain some of your Biblical and theological beliefs and understandings. While we are not looking for exhaustive answers to these Biblical and theological questions, we would like for you to give a reasonably complete answer which may include any supporting scriptures. If you have not formulated a particular conviction to any of the Biblically oriented questions, please respond with the following answer: Still forming my beliefs and understanding on this question. Completing this application will require an investment of your time. Most likely, you will not be able to complete this application in one setting.Components of This ApplicationIncluding this section, there are seven sections of this application. Completing this application will require an investment of your time and you should expect that it will require multiple settings to complete it. Section 1: Explanation of Ministry Designation Options Section 2: Basic Information (6 questions) Section 3: Personal Background (8 questions) Section 4: Spiritual Background (7 questions) Section 5: Professional and Leadership (12 questions) Section 6: Biblical and Theological (25 questions) Section 7: Personal References (3 references are requested)OverviewThe purpose of the commissioning, licensing, and ordination process at Journey Christian Church (“Journey”) is to recognize what God has already done through the individuals being considered for formal pastoral acknowledgement. It represents formal acknowledgement of their calling into ministry at Journey, their faithfulness to the call that God has placed on their life, and the humility with which they demonstrate their following and dependence on Christ. Journey acknowledges three different forms of licensure: commissioning, licensing, and ordination. All commissioned, licensed or ordained staff members are recognized as spiritual leaders and ministers of the Gospel and are eligible to: perform any and all sacerdotal functions of the church including, including but not limited to, baptism, communion, funerals and weddings; conduct worship services as called upon; perform administrative duties for the church.CommissioningThe term for commissioning will be two calendar years. Subsequent terms will be approved after a review of qualifications. In addition to completing the application for commissioning, an individual may be commissioned by Journey upon meeting the following requirements: Personal Calling A person must have a deep sense of personal calling by God before being commissioned. The candidate must sense that vocational ministry at Journey Christian Church is something he or she must be a part of because God’s leading has been so obvious and clear. Desire A person must express a desire to the Senior Pastor to be commissioned and follow current guidelines for the commissioning process at Journey. Employment Candidates for Commissioning must be full-time employees of Journey Christian Church. Area Competence Journey commissions a person to a specific area of ministry according to his or her competency, passion and current assignment. Within the context of every staff role at Journey, there is an element of pastoral care and spiritual leadership required in order to be effective. Therefore, regardless of the role, all staff members are given the authority and expected to serve others in a pastoral and spiritual manner and use any spiritual gifts to further the Kingdom of God.LicensingThis recognition will extend for an employee’s tenure as a staff member at Journey, regardless of their specific role. In addition to completing the application for licensing, an individual may be licensed by Journey upon meeting the following requirements: Personal Calling A person must have a deep sense of personal calling by God before being licensed. The candidate must sense that vocational ministry at Journey Christian Church is something he or she must be a part of because God’s leading has been so obvious and clear. Desire A person must express a desire to the Senior Pastor to be licensed and follow current guidelines for the licensing process at Journey. Employment Candidates for Licensing must be full-time employees of Journey Christian Church. Area Competence Journey may license a person to ministry, regardless of their current assignment. All licensed staff members are given the authority and expected to serve others in a pastoral and spiritual manner and use any spiritual gifts to further the Kingdom of God. Ministry Experience An individual who desires to be licensed must have at least five years of full-time vocational ministry experience.OrdinationOrdination is a lifetime appointment to full-time vocational ministry as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and will extend beyond employment at Journey to any church or ministry. In addition to completing the application for ordination, an individual may be ordained by Journey upon meeting the following requirements: Personal Calling A person must have a deep sense of personal calling by God before being ordained. The candidate must sense that life-time vocational ministry is something he or she must be a part of because God’s leading has been so obvious and clear. Desire A person must express a desire to to the Senior Pastor be ordained and follow current guidelines for the ordination process through Journey. Area Competence Journey may ordain a person to ministry, regardless of their current assignment. All ordained staff members are given the authority and expected to serve others in a pastoral and spiritual manner and use any spiritual gifts to further the Kingdom of God. Ministry Experience An individual who desires to be ordained must have at least five years of full-time vocational ministry experience. Formal Education An individual who desires ordination must have a college degree (bachelors or masters) from an accredited Christian college, university, or seminary in Biblical, theological, or ministry studies. Name* First Last Address* Street Address Address Line 2 City AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code Email* Cell Phone*1. Which ministry designation are you seeking?See previous page for the description and requirements for each respective designation.CommissioningLicensingOrdination2. Please describe the process by which you have come to seek official designation for ministry? 3. What has been your marital history?4. If you have ever been divorced, please explain the circumstances:If you have never been divorced, respond N/A5. How long have you been married?Respond N/A if you are not currently married 6. Reflecting on 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Ephesians 5:21 - 6:4, how does your own life (including marriage and family, if applicable) reflect the principles of these passages?7. How would you describe your present financial status (personal or family)?8. Are you (or your immediate family) in financial debt? If so, please describe your indebtedness.9. If you have ever filed bankruptcy, please explain those circumstances and how that impacts your life today.If never, respond N/A10. Are you in recovery from a hurt, habit, or hang-up? Please describe your recovery including relapses and victories. Be specific as to any addiction and your sobriety and freedom. 11. What has been your church background? List all churches (and denominations) of which you've been a part.12. How long have you been a Christian? 13. Please explain how you came to faith in Jesus Christ.14. When were you baptized by immersion? 15. Describe the practices (tools and habits) you use to help you live in rhythm with God and invite him to be formed in you.16. What experience do you most treasure in your relationship with Jesus Christ?17. What two or three key scriptures have guided your life? How have they guided you? 18. What do you feel are your greatest strengths in leadership?19. What are your convictions on the role of a leader in the church and the example he/she should model?Feel free to cite any scriptures or other references.20. What is your understanding of the responsibilities of a minister/pastor/staff member in the local church?21. How is the role of a commissioned/licensed/ordained minister different from a volunteer church leader or member?22. Describe your beliefs about the role and function of elders in the church. How are they different than paid pastoral staff? How do they compliment the staff?23. Describe your personality and your leadership style.24. How do you think your particular personality and leadership style will help you in ministry?25. What are the concerns or liabilities for ministry which may be associated with how you are wired?26. Describe an effective conflict management approach in ministry. How should confrontation and conflict management within the local church be handled?27. What do you believe are the keys to having a long-term ministry? In other words, what do you think are the personal attitudes, skills, disciplines, etc., necessary for a person to remain faithful in ministry over the long haul?28. What do you think will be your greatest challenge in ministry?29. At this point in your ministry, what are the things you are most eager to learn? In what areas do you feel you most need to grow? How do you envision doing so? Again, we are not looking for exhaustive answers. However, we are looking for thoughtful responses. If you haven't formed specific convictions on one or more of these questions, that's okay. We would rather you respond with "Still forming my beliefs and understanding on this question" than doing a lot of research trying to come up with detailed response.30. Have you had formal and extensive Biblical training at a seminar or Christian college/university? If so, please describe that training.31. Who have ben your greatest influences when it comes to your theological beliefs and convictions?Your response might include a combination of teachers/professors, pastors, authors, friends, family members, etc.32. What is your plan for continuing to sharpen your Biblical and theological understanding?33. Explain your belief and personal convictions about the importance and role of the local church.34. Do you believe the supernatural events recorded in Scripture such as: creation, the flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the parting of the Red Sea, physical healings in the New Testament, all of the miracles of Jesus and the Apostles, etc.? Please explain.35. Please explain your beliefs about the Bible and your view of its place within the Church and in the Christian's personal life.36. Do you feel you are capable to lead someone in making a personal commitment to Jesus Christ?37. What do you feel are the key scriptures in leading a person to making a personal commitment to Jesus Christ?38. What are your beliefs concerning God's design for human sexuality and marriage?39. What are your beliefs concerning God's design for gender?40. What are your beliefs concerning the nature and person of God?41. What are your beliefs concerning the nature and person of Jesus Christ?42. What are your beliefs concerning the virgin birth of Jesus?43. What are your beliefs concerning the nature and person of the Holy Spirit?44. What are your beliefs concerning the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?45. What are your beliefs concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ?46. What are your beliefs concerning how a person is saved (or how a person becomes a Christian)?47. What are your beliefs concerning the significance of Christian baptism?48. What are your beliefs concerning the significance and practice of the Lord's Supper?49. What are your conviction and personal practice of tithing and additional proportional giving? Do you believe the family of a minister should give 10% of their income to the church where he/she serves?50. Explain your belief and practice concerning what are sometimes referred to as the charismatic/supernatural/sign gifts.51. What is your personal conviction and practice in regard to recreational drugs?52. What is your personal conviction and practice in regard to alcoholic beverages?53. What is your personal conviction and practice in regard to gambling? Personal ReferencePlease include, in order, the following information on your reference: name, cell phone, email address, and a brief description of how you know them and for how long. Please do not include relatives as a reference.Professional ReferencePlease include, in order, the following information on your reference: name, cell phone, email address, and a brief description of how you know them and for how long. Please do not include relatives as a reference.Spiritual ReferencePlease include, in order, the following information on your reference: name, cell phone, email address, and a brief description of how you know them and for how long. Please do not include relatives as a reference.CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.