How Do I Become a UPCI Minister?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The biblical principles credentials fulfill

• The question posed (in the host's frame): the United Pentecostal Church International offers three levels of ministerial credentials: we have local license, General license, and then ordination. Can you tell us: what is the purpose of ministerial credentials, in general? And why are there three levels, of ministerial credentials? The answer: well, first of all: ministerial credentials are very important, in fulfilling scripture — the principles that we find, in the New Testament. So we do see, throughout the whole Bible: God calls people, to leadership positions. The New Testament: we see God calls people, to preach the gospel. The New Testament has qualifications, for those who are called: we find them in first Timothy 3. We find them in Titus 1. The New Testament gives examples, of how ministers should be endorsed by God, but also by the church, when they're sent out. We also find what we might call recommendations, or commendations: where you see this, in the letters of Paul; you see this, in letters of John — where they will write, and say: I'm sending this preacher to you ('I'm com sending this preacher to you', as the letters stand). Receive them. Support them. I commend them. They're a good Minister. Also, we find ministerial discipline, or removal — recommendation likewise: examples from the writings, the letters of Paul and John: I do not recommend this Minister. Don't receive them. They're divisive. They're in false Doctrine. I'm warning you, about them. So, those are the principles that we see. The New Testament does not give us a detailed structure, for the local church, or for the church at large. And I think that's intentional. Because that can vary — what's proper, or most beneficial, can vary greatly, depending on your culture, the country, the time period you're in. And so the Bible doesn't give us one rigid structure, of how to have a local church. Or one structure, to how to have a national church. But it gives these principles, I've just described. And they're principles of: leadership; sending missionaries ('sending a missionaries', as spoken); collecting offerings; having conferences, to decide major issues. All that's in the New Testament. I've written a book that describes this, called the Apostolic Church in the 21st century (as titled in the answer), and that's one of the topics it discusses: is church government. So we, as the upci, are charged with trying to implement that, in a practical way, in our own context. So ministerial credentials are not merely our opinion. Even though the detail, and the specific structure you described, is ours — not found in the Bible. But it's our attempt, to fulfill what I've just described. To make sure people are qualified. That they're sent by the church. That they have their proper recommendation. If there's a problem, that there's appropriate discipline, or withdrawal of recommendation. And that's what ministerial credentials essentially do. They say: you are qualified. Or, when they're removed: you are not qualified. You do not represent us. And so I think they're biblical.

Scriptures: 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1

The preliminary certificate, and the three levels

• The reason why we have three levels is: we're trying to fulfill what the description we have, in first Timothy and Titus — that we're not supposed to ordain a novice. We're not supposed to choose people, that aren't qualified. So we start by saying — first of all: if you are — and what we talk about, a minister: of course, everyone should have a ministry, in the sense of a place of service. But what we're more specifically talking about: the Bible says, minister of the Gospel. So we're talking about those who are called to preach, teach, lead the church. Those are the people, that we would Grant ministerial credentials to. So everyone is a servant. Everyone is a minister. But only certain people are called, to preach slash teach slash lead the church. Those are the ones, that we would give upci ministerial credentials. There's actually a preliminary step, that is not part of the upci structure. But we specifically say, that a local Pastor can grant someone a Ministry certificate — a Christian Ministry certificate — which authorizes them to minister, within the local church, under the pastor. Which can be very useful, for various purposes: such as Hospital visitation, or jail Ministry — giving credentials within the city (as spoken). But it's not ministerial credentials, with the upci, as the organization. So for some people, that might be the only thing they need. Because their Ministry is only in that sort of context. And perhaps they're not even qualified, to go further, with upci credentials. Because of, you know, situations: either temporarily not qualified, because they're not ready. Or maybe because of a situation, like a divorce — or a marriage, that happened after they came to the Lord — they wouldn't qualify for upci credentials. But they could still be used, in the discretion of the local Pastor. Or sometimes this becomes a preliminary step: where the pastor wants them to prove themselves, locally ('to get Pro to prove themselves', as the letters stand), before he even recommends them to the upci ('to the upside', as heard). So that's in the option, of the local pastor, and local church, to have a Ministry — a Christian Ministry certificate — which we might call Lay Ministry. No official status, with upci. But then we Grant local license. Which, as its title signifies: you're working under the local Pastor. It's like a training. And again, it might be all that a person needs. But we generally think of it, as preparation. The next step is called General license. Which, as its term signifies: you can fulfill any ministerial position. So if someone is going to be a pastor — a senior pastor, of a local church — they're supposed to attain the level of General license. If they haven't yet, and they get elected as Pastor, they're supposed to, as soon as possible, get qualified. The general license. Then ordination is the third, and final, step. Is the full proof of ministry. And unfortunately, some people just seem to stop at General, and don't see the significance. But I think there is not only an organizational significance — because ordination is required, for many positions, and boards, and committees, and involvements. But ordination is also a spiritual thing: where I think the Lord gives a special anointing, and confirmation, on your call. So I think it shouldn't be seen as optional. It should be seen as: if I truly am called to preach, and feel that I need credentials with upci, I should go through the steps of local, General, until I reach ordination.

Why credentials at all — accountability, credibility, submission

• So my summary is this: if you're working within the context of the upci — and you feel called to preach — and it could be broad: some people, they might have a counseling Ministry, but yet they're also a Teaching Ministry, and they're also working in a pastoral context. Well, so that's why I say: preach slash teach slash lead. If you feel that call, to preach the gospel, then you should seek Minister credentials. And once you get ministerial credentials, you should work to get from local, to General, until ordination. I think that's the will of God. I believe — as we discussed in a previous segment: whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on Earth will be loosed in heaven ('whatever God says whatever you buy on Earth will be bound in heaven whatever you loose on Earth or be loose in heaven', as the saying stands in the letters). God gives authority, to the church, to say: this person is in your church, feels called to preach. Whatever plan you Implement, to fulfill these scriptural qualifications, I will back you up. And I will anoint them. So I do believe it is the will of God, and it's a scriptural thing, that you would go from local, General, to ordination — if you are truly called of God, to preach the gospel. We can't call you. But you should qualify yourselves, according to the guidelines that we've set forth. Now, some people say: well, I can preach. I don't need a license. I need — don't need — credentials. What's the point? Well: it's accountability. It's credibility. It's submission to Authority. It's being known: your Doctrine is examined. Your life is known ('your life is example is known', as the letters stand), and is identified among us. And it also gives you the ability to participate, through voting, and participation, in other ways. Serving in various capacities. So I do believe it is important. Even though you could get opportunities to preach, without it. If you're truly called to preach, then you should seek the appropriate credentials: to fulfill scriptural guidelines; and to be accountable; to be submissive; and also, to be an influence; to be a participant.

Where to start — your pastor, the district, the training tracks

• Now: if someone says, well, I think I'm called — and where do I start? You start with your local pastor. The pastor that's over you, in the Lord. That guides you, admonishes you. He can help you discern, if you're truly called, to preach the gospel. And if you are, in what capacity. And if so: would a Christian Ministry certificate, in your local church, suffice? Would local license suffice? If you go up, through a Bible College training program: you can go, past local license, directly to General. So you might want to consider going to one of our Bible colleges: ocean college (as heard) — or the graduate school of theology he names ('urson Graduate School of Theology', as heard). We also have other training, ministerial training programs, that can be used: such as purpose Institute (as styled in the answer). And CSTI ('see csti', as spoken). And the Genesis Institute. So we have various tracks, that you can follow, for training. Or the standard training is Ministry Central. The one website has all the digital books and videos, that you need, for local license, General license, ordination. But where do you get started? You start with your pastor. You get guidance. If he feels you're ready to apply, then we have a new online application process. And it will go, with your pastor's endorsement, to the district. And the district will help you follow the guidelines. But then you'll need to meet all the qualifications. Educationally: we have preaching qualifications — you must have experience, in preaching the gospel. And then you must meet the district board, for a personal interview. So it's an exciting thing. We need more preachers. But we need preachers who are qualified. Who are accountable. Who are credible. Who are accredited. And so this is our plan, to try to put Ministers of the Gospel in the field. And I'm happy to tell you: we now have, in the U.S. and Canada — our home base — we have over, well over, 11 000 credential ministers ('over well over 11 000 credential ministers', as the letters stand), in the United Pentecostal Church International.

Scripture index: 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1.