2016 Wesleyan Discipline:Forms: General credentials

A. Ministerial Credentials

6200. Lay Minister’s License (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3410)

This certifies that ___________________, having been duly examined concerning _____________ gifts, graces, and usefulness, and being deemed qualified for such service, is hereby licensed according to the usages of The Wesleyan Church as a lay minister, for one year, provided that ______________ spirit, practice, and teachings are in keeping with the Scriptures and The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church.

By order and in behalf of the local church conference of ____________ Wesleyan Church, this ______ day of ____________, A.D. ________.

________________________ Pastor ________________________ Local Church Secretary

(This license may be renewed annually, and when so renewed, notation shall be made on the reverse side of this form of the date on which such renewal was ordered, and the same shall be attested by the signature of the pastor and the local church secretary.)

6220. Lay Minister’s Letter of Standing (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3440:3).

This certifies that __________________ has been up to this date a lay minister in good standing in the _________________ Wesleyan Church, and being desirous of transferring ____________ membership from this church, is granted this letter of standing to recommend _________________ to whomever it may concern as a person worthy of consideration for license as a lay minister.

By the authority and in behalf of the __________________ Wesleyan Church, this ______ day of __________, A.D. ________.

________________________ Pastor ________________________ Local Church Secretary

6240. Certificate of Authorization as a Supply Pastor (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3260).

This certifies that ____________ has been appointed on a temporary basis as a supply pastor of the ________________ Wesleyan Church, and is hereby authorized to fill its pulpit, to provide spiritual leadership to the congregation, and to perform such other duties as shall be authorized by the district superintendent.

By the authority and in behalf of the _____________ District of The Wesleyan Church, this ______ day of __________, A.D. _________.

________________________ District Superintendent ________________________ District Secretary

6250. Certificate of Authorization as an Interim Pastor (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3261).

This certifies that ___________________ has been appointed on a temporary basis as an interim pastor of the ___________________ Wesleyan Church, and is hereby authorized to fill its pulpit, to provide spiritual leadership to the congregation, and to perform such other duties as shall be authorized by the district superintendent.

By the authority and in behalf of the _______________ District of The Wesleyan Church, this ________ day of __________, A.D. ___________.

________________________ District Superintendent ________________________ District Secretary

6260. District License (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3015:1, 5b; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3033:9).

This certifies that ___________________, having been duly examined concerning _____________ gifts, graces, and usefulness, and being deemed qualified for such service, is hereby made a _____________* according to the usages of The Wesleyan Church, for one year, provided that ____________ spirit, practice, and ministry are in keeping with the Scriptures and The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church.

By order and on behalf of the district conference of the _____________ District of The Wesleyan Church, this ______ day of __________, A.D. ________.

________________________ District Superintendent ________________________ District Secretary

(*Insert the proper term, namely licensed minister or ministerial student. This license may be renewed annually; and when so renewed notation shall be made on the reverse side of this form on which such renewal was ordered, and the same shall be attested by the signature of the district superintendent and the district secretary.)

6280. Commission Certificate for a Minister (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3059:1).

This certifies that _______________, having been judged worthy and well qualified for such a ministry, and having been duly elected by the _____________ District Conference of The Wesleyan Church, has been set apart this day, by the laying on of hands and prayer, to service as a commissioned minister in The Wesleyan Church so long as _____________ spirit, practice, and ministry are in keeping with the Scriptures and The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church, and _______________ is hereby empowered and fully authorized to administer the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, to solemnize matrimony, and to feed the flock of Christ, taking oversight thereof, not as lord over God’s heritage, but as being an example to the same.

By the order and in behalf of the district conference of the ___________ District of The Wesleyan Church, this ______ day of __________, A.D. ________.

_________________________ General Superintendent _________________________ District Superintendent _________________________ District Secretary

(The following may be placed on front or back of certificate.)

This certificate is valid only when accompanied by a currently dated pocket certificate of standing.

6300. Certificate of Ordination (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3070).

This certifies that _______________, having been judged worthy and well qualified for such a ministry, and having been duly elected by the _____________ District Conference of The Wesleyan Church, has been set apart this day, by the laying on of hands and prayer, to the office and work of an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church so long as ____________________ spirit, practice, and ministry are in keeping with the Scriptures and The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church, and is hereby empowered and fully authorized to administer the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, to solemnize matrimony, and to feed the flock of Christ, taking oversight thereof, not as lord over God’s heritage, but as being an example to the same.

By order and in behalf of the district conference of the ______________ District of The Wesleyan Church, this _____ day of ________, A.D. _________.

________________________ General Superintendent ________________________ District Superintendent ________________________ District Secretary

(The following may be placed on front or back of certificate.)

This certificate is valid only when accompanied by a currently dated pocket certificate of standing.

6320. Certificate of Validation for Minister Transferring from Another Denomination (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104).

This certifies that the ________________ District Conference of The Wesleyan Church, having examined the credentials of _____________, a(n) _____________* of the ____________ Church, and having received other testimonials of ____________ gifts, graces, and usefulness, and being satisfied that ____________ is a person worthy and well qualified for such a ministry, has this day accepted and recognized _____________ in due form as a(n) ____________* in The Wesleyan Church, entitled to exercise under its authority all the functions pertaining to a(n) ________________* so long as ____________________ spirit, practice, and ministry are in keeping with the Scriptures and The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church.

By order and in behalf of the district conference of the __________ District of The Wesleyan Church, this ______ day of _________, A.D. _______.

________________________ General Superintendent ________________________ District Superintendent ________________________ District Secretary

(*Insert the proper term, namely ordained minister, commissioned minister or licensed minister.)

6340. General Evangelist’s Certificate (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3285).

This certifies that ________________, a(n) ________________* of the ____________ District of The Wesleyan Church, having been appointed by the district to the work of evangelism and being recommended by that district as a person qualified for such service to the Church at large, is hereby authorized to exercise the ministry of a general evangelist for one year from the date hereto affixed and is recommended to all whom it may concern for employment as an evangelist.

By order and in behalf of the district conference of the ___________ District of The Wesleyan Church, this ______ day of __________, A.D. ________.

___________________________ Executive Director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship ___________________________ District Superintendent ___________________________ District Secretary

(*Insert the proper term, namely ordained minister or commissioned minister.)

(This certificate may be renewed annually; and when so renewed, notation shall be made on the reverse side of this form of the date on which such renewal was ordered, and the same shall be attested by the signature of the district superintendent and the district secretary.)