I was wondering about formal theological education and other requirements for becoming a Pastor in the Assemblies of God or other related Pentecostal Churches. Who can become the Pastor and how?

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 09, 2003

Answers

I suppose anyone could become a Pastor if God calls them, or if they have what it takes, but I'm only guessing and would like solid answers.

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 09, 2003.

Hi Rod, Looks like it's just you and me here. The place is empty!! What'd we do, run them off?

Hey, I think each Protestant denomination has its own set of rules and criteria. AoG would not allow a divorced and remarried man to pastor. I'm sure David will confirm this. Baptist are usually pretty strict. Not sure about anyone else though. AoG, Baptists and the Wesleyans are my favorite Protestant denominations. They usually have really good, firey preachers -- very zealous!!

Have a great weekend Amigo!

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), August 09, 2003.

There is only one condition that Assemblies of God would allow a divorced and remarried man to become a pastor, and that is if it (divorce and remarriage) happened before his conversion.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 09, 2003.

My husband's cousin, Carl, who is now about 55 years old, is married to a woman who was divorced a long long time before she became a Christian, and the AoG church they attend won't even let him be a deacon. This is a terrible shame because Carl is a very Godly man. He makes himself useful though with Royal Rangers (the kiddos ministry).

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), August 09, 2003.

Divorce and Remarriage

"2. The offices of elder and deacon are not open to those who are remarried.

The offices of elder (corresponding to pastor) and deacon are restricted by the requirement that they shall be "the husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2,12). Some say this refers to polygamy. History clearly indicates, however, that polygamy was not generally practiced at the time, while divorce and remarriage were extremely common among both Gentiles and Jews.

The offices of elder (corresponding to pastor) and deacon are restricted by the requirement that they shall be "the husband of but one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2,12). This is understood to mean that candidates for elder and deacon are to be persons in a faithful heterosexual marriage with neither partner having been previously divorced, except where the divorce occurred prior to conversion."

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 09, 2003.

Hi.

My internet provider has been having technical problems in my area, so I've been unable to spend the time I wanted in this forum.

I think Gail might have a hint as to why I ask these questions.

David, I've help with ministries in my good friends Pentecostal Church when I was younger. I even offered to help him the day he takes over for his father, the pastor. Like it or not, there are similarities to be found in the Pentecostals and Catholic doctrines. I'm not saying that I'm converting to Pentecostalism.

Yes, Gail, my late cousin was the music minister at his Methodist Church sometime back and he tried to get me to be a Methodist. I attended a few services and , like you say, they a "holy" attitude similar to Catholicism.

David, you didn't mention anything about seminary school or Bible College as a requirement for you all's Pastor.

rod..

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 09, 2003.

Ministry

"h. Basic education requirements. Any level of formal academic achievement (diploma or degree) shall not be a requirement for credentials; however, credential applicants shall meet the following criteria:

(1) All applicants are required to be interviewed by the district credentials committee and, in preparation for the interview, pass a standard exam approved by the General Presbytery whereby they demonstrate knowledge of the Bible, Assemblies of God doctrines, and ministerial practices; and either

(2) Successfully complete equivalent training to that indicated in paragraph (3) below, preferably, in an endorsed Assemblies of God postsecondary school; or in a seminary, college, Bible college, or school approved by the district credentials committee consistent with criteria established by the General Council Credentials Committee; or

(3) Successfully complete courses, prescribed by the General Presbytery, offered in correspondence through Global University of the Assemblies of God, or pass the final examinations in the prescribed courses; or

(4) Be recommended by a district credentials committee as qualifying for credentials through self-study and ministerial experience. Such candidates shall have a proven and fruitful ministry of substantial duration. Requests from a district for such a candidate shall be presented to the General Council Credentials Committee and may be granted on a case by case basis."

They have a longer list which I suggest you read.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 10, 2003.

Thanks, David.

Have you considered becoming a Pastor?

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 10, 2003.

No I haven't.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 10, 2003.

I am unable to answer your question. However, what I have read here has just answered many questions dwelling deep within myself. I have been waiting on the Lord to guide and lead me with a confirmation as to whether or not becoming a pastor is His will in my life. As a member of the AOG it appears that I most definitely would not meet the criteria due to prior marriages and possibly the fact that I am a female. I shall continue to complete Cert 4 in Ministry and wait upon the Lord for guidance.

-- Christine Kleeven (trustandobey@bigpond.com), June 27, 2004.

I think for anyone to be a pastor they have to be called by god.It is not an easy job and god will not give someone an office they can not handle.

-- misozi chiwala (misozi.chiwala@abbey.com), November 09, 2004.

Why do you spell it god and not God? do you relaise its ofensive?

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), November 10, 2004.

There aren't any upper or lower case letters in Greek and Hebrew like we have in English. The capitalization of the "g" in God and "l" in Lord and "j" in Jesus are only used in translations with similar alphebets as English. The captitalization we use for God to distinguish him from other "gods" is not about case, but wording. Greek uses a different word for God, as in God almighty, than it does for gods being false gods or idols. We just change the casing. So, God doesn't receive any more glory from a little g than a big one, and only people get offended.

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), November 11, 2004.

THAT IS A VERY INTERESTING POINT YOU HAVE MADE, luke.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), November 12, 2004.

I live in Lusaka,Zambia, and have only recently come back to God after a long time of more than back sliding. I have always known that God has a purpose for me, and He has recently put it in my heart to become a Pastor. I have no idea of what Church is what, all I believe in is that Jesus Christ gave me a gift that I did not deserve, but because God loves ALL men(and women) I have Eternal Life in Him. Please could you direct me to a college or institute that can give me the means to lead people to Christ in this time of Revival.

Jason

-- Jason Kruger (Jaykay104@yahoo.com), March 14, 2005.