Church Credentials

[Bishop Dr. Peggy Kendrick]

What should you do when you join a ministry with credentials, and after being in the ministry over a year the Pastor does not give you credentials for his church. In the past I can remember ministers changing churches and receiving credentials from their new church within a year. I won't ask whether they can do that, because I know the answer is they can do what they want. I just want to know what you think, because I know of some discouraged ministers. Let me hear from you.

[Anna]

All:
Please share with me the custom or tradition whether written or unwritten that details when and how a person is to become credentialed in a ministry he/she has joined.

What churches observe this tradition?

The churches I come from don't have such a tradition, so this is totally foreign to me.

[Bishop Dr. Peggy Kendrick]

God bless you. You are right. I have a concern for all people and try to assist anyway I can. Peggy

[Bishop Dr. Peggy Kendrick]

If you read the blog again this is not about me. I have a concern about three other preachers. Therefore, I thought I would put this question out there.

[Anna]

Sis Peggy:
I am not familiar with this type of tradition or custom. Is this a written or an unwritten tradition that says that you should be credentialed in this church since you have been there for a year.
Also, I was just wondering if you could tell us if you have and how you have been an asset to the church which you have been with over the past year where you are wanting to get credentials?
Jesus said the greatest must first be a servant.
Answer in the affirmative or negative to each of these items, if you have been preaching, teaching classes, working with unwed mothers or troubled teens, visiting the sick whether at home or in nursing homes, visiting prisoners, helping the homeless ministries with food, clothing or shelter, giving people rides to church or Bible study, cooking at dinners, taking food to those in need or any other service to this church.
Also, why do you need credentials to be of service in a church? Why are these credentials important to you?

[Bishop Dr. Peggy Kendrick]

I posted this blog because there were many going into new ministries with these concerns. I thought I might share this with you. Thank you and keep the answers coming.(smile)

[Pastor Ronald Kendrick]

Rev. Kendrick, I have now been in the ministry for 19 years. I have served as an Associate Minister for some of those years. I have also served as a pastor. I would advise any Christian that before they join another church or ministry that they should carefully observe. Even for a minister, I would advise the same thing. Yes, there are still a lot of ministries that does not recognize women in the pulpit.

Rev. Kendrick, if I understood correctly what you have written, you stated, "I won't ask whether they can do that, because I know the answer is they can do what they want." I tell you as a minister sitting under a pastor, never assume anything. Even if that is what you are thinking. I would advise you to go and sit down with the pastor or whomever it is and talk to them. I also notice that you stated "after been in the ministry over one year." In this point of ministry, one really needs not to assume anything but seek answers. The answers, whether positive or negative can produce growth. I would advise, if God has truly called a minister, whether they are male or female and covering does not want to acknowledge their gifts in ministry, the minister needs to be doing some praying and possibly some changes within their ministries. I am currently teaching on Women in ministry (preaching) at my church. It is very interesting in teaching something new that some or most people are not used to. The most important factor in teaching this is seeing God open the eyes of His people through the Word of God. I am just going through the scriptures and people are seeing for themselves what the Word of God is saying and what it means. In closing, If God calls one to minister, everything should fit around their ministry, not their ministry fit around everything else! Rev. Kendrick, not doubting your call, but if God has called you, do what He has called you to do. If you are not able to use your spiritual gifts where you are, you have to go where you can use them. Never defend your call unless you have to do it in the Lord other than that, you don't have to prove to anyone that God called you. I agree with Minister Tonya Jones, "your gift will make room for you!" Stay encouraged!

[Lonnie Kluttz]

This very interesting my sisters,

From my understanding and I may be wrong, but sister Morgan is saying that you need a MAN to cover you. Sister Morgan, you are right, you won't find one scripture to back your theology. But the one thing you don't realize is that if it's not in the word of God, it don't count. We have to stop adding our own beliefs to the word of God. God has warned us not to do this (Deut. 4:1-14 and Rev 22:6-21). Please read these scriptures.

Now to Rev. Kendrick,

In church credentials are you refering to Licensing and Ordainations. If you are this is a man made way of contoling who preaches and who don't. Let's look at it. Most churches won't take anyone who isn't licensed and ordained. Next the world says that you can't marry or bury anyone unless you are. Plus and you can check behind me, you won't find one scripture that says you have to be licensed and ordained. GOD is our only authority in being ordained. We have so many people looking for man's approval to preach. That's why we have so many people preaching who shouldn't be. Because some man told them too and not God. They sound good and say nothing. And to be honest, they are leading people straight to hell. But I hope that this is what you are talking about when you say church credentails.

God bless

[Bishop Dr. Peggy Kendrick]

Thank you so much for your comments. Keep them coming.

[Anna]

Sis Donna:
Please share with us what scripture you use to support your concept of someone needing a "covering".
Please name the "coverer" and the "coveree" in the scripture since it is the scripture if from where we are to get our doctrine, not from some man.
This "doctrine" of the "covering" has been discussed in another blog, and to date no one has produced any Biblical text to sipport it.

[Anna]

Excellent points JaJa