Credentialing of Clergy within The Gathering of Baptists
In the pursuit of its purpose to foster wholeness, integrity, and responsible ministry following the example of Jesus, The Gathering of Baptists offers a service to its membership of recognizing and listing the credentials of qualified clergy persons. The “List of Clergy Persons Whose Credentials Are Recognized” will provide indication of status and recognition to employers and to governmental agencies. The Gathering of Baptists takes the recognition of credentials very seriously, is open to individual circumstances, but is not responsible for the actions or inactions of any person listed by it. The following guideline provides our expectation of process for, and of persons, so “listed” with The Gathering of Baptists.
Educational Standard: Normally, we would expect a minimum of a university undergraduate degree plus a Theological degree from an educational institution recognized by the Association of Theological Schools, or an equivalent theological training from outside North America. The Gathering will consider alternate paths of preparation valuing experience and informal education as well as academic training.
Credentials Committee: A Credentials Committee shall be appointed at the fall Gathering. The membership shall be ten persons, with a majority of lay-persons if possible. The normal term of appointment is a period of three years, renewable. The responsibility of the Committee is to assess applications for credentials and ordination, if applicable; to interview the applicant, and to make recommendation to the membership at a duly scheduled meeting of The Gathering of Baptists. The interview with the applicant is anticipated to be a one-day event in a relaxed, casual and open format. That day will stress sharing of faith journey and experience and sharing of understanding of ministry and Gospel. The Committee will satisfy itself with a sense of the “calling” of the candidate and the appropriateness of credentialing with the Gathering in keeping with the Purpose and Covenant of the Gathering of Baptists. The responsibility will include reaching consensus among Committee Members on a recommendation to a Gathering.
Credentialing Process:
1. One seeking credentials with The Gathering of Baptists will make application to the
Gathering through its Moderator. Such application must include a statement of appreciation and affirmation of the Purpose and Covenant of the Gathering of Baptists, and should include statements of faith journey, understanding of ministry, and academic and experiential qualification. In keeping with traditional Baptist congregational polity, the application should have sponsorship, support and encouragement of the applicant’s congregation or faith supporters / community, and the application should be introduced with a letter from a supporting congregation conveying its endorsement and ownership of the applicant’s ministry
2. The Moderator shall assign the application to a Credentials Committee who will satisfy themselves with the appropriateness of the application, arrange for a meeting including the applicant, Committee members, and any others which the applicant and the Committee members deem to be appropriate, such as representatives from the applicant’s congregation.
3. After meeting with the applicant, the Committee will advise the Moderator of its decision and report to the next meeting of The Gathering of Baptists with its recommendation.
4. At a meeting of The Gathering of Baptists, the membership shall receive, explore, and act upon the recommendation of the Credentials Committee. Any appeal of the Credentials Committee’s recommendation would be made to a Gathering meeting.
5. The Credentials Committee will work with the applicant to organize any celebratory worship experience of the successful applicant. An ordination is primarily the responsibility of the sponsoring community but should include representation from and participation by the credentialing body.
Previously Ordained Clergy: The foregoing Process may be shortened significantly for persons already ordained by another body. The Credentials Committee may substantially reduce the extent of the interview and statement based on their knowledge of the candidate and may not require the support of a congregation. Electronic meetings may suffice. The Credentials Committee is granted broad scope in the exercise of their responsibilities. However, there must be at least a one page submission by the candidate expressing appreciation of The Gathering’s Covenant and highlighting her/his background and experience. A copy of the candidate’s latest Ordination Certificate is to be included. In the simplest of circumstances, a Gathering may pass a motion to recognize the candidate as ordained within, and responsible to, The Gathering of Baptists.
Pastoral Support: Ministry in any setting can be an isolating experience. For this reason The Gathering will present the opportunity for all candidates for credentials to acknowledge their clearly identified source of ongoing support and accountability in discussion with the Credentials Committee. If a candidate for credentials does not have such a resource, he or she will be invited to use the resources of The Gathering to establish such a support group in conjunction with the Credentials Committee.
De Credentialing Process: A credentialed clergy person may have her/his credentials removed upon his/her request. A report would be made at the next meeting of The Gathering of Baptists. An application by anyone for the removal of credentials of another would proceed as above with the interview starting with the issuer of the application for removal.
Dual Credentials: The Gathering of Baptists accepts that its credentialed clergy may also have to hold credentials in their Baptist and/or other denomination(s) for practical working relationships.
Marriage License: The Gathering of Baptists will work with Provincial Governments to facilitate the granting of license to marry of its Gathering-credentialed clergy.
Benefits: The Gathering of Baptists does not provide a benefit package but encourages its members to contract with their employers for the provision of professional insurance and benefits package, including a retirement savings plans comparable to the industrial wage-owners average. The Gathering of Baptists will offer advice from some of its experienced members.
Gathering sub-committee assigned to prepare this document:
Ray Hobbs, Michael Steeves, Gary Caldwell
This document was approved at The Gathering on October 28, 2006
Revisions approved 29 April 2017, 28 April 2018, & 25 April 2020
Credentialing of Clergy
Application Checklist
This checklist is intended to serve two purposes. First to ensure that adequate
information is available for the Credentials Committee and subsequent Ordination process.
Second to register with The Gathering of Baptists
that there are no issues which will impact its liability.
Firstly, The Process:
- academic and experiential qualification.
Ordination
Note that for previously ordained clergy 4 and 5 above may not be required.
Secondly, Liability Considerations:
Yes No Are you a Class A member of The Gathering of Baptists ? (required)
Yes No Would you be prepared to undergo a Police Check re vulnerable persons
should the Credentialing Committee request it ?
Yes No Are you aware of any allegations against you of misconduct, including
but not limited to, sexual harassment, exploitation, physical or mental abuse,
child abuse, financial, ethical or professional indiscretion which may be in process
or might be levied in law court against you ? If yes, please explain following or
on an accompanying piece or pieces of paper and attach hereto.
Please note that at the completion of a successful Accreditation and/or Ordination process,
this checklist along with key documents (including 1, 2, 3 & 6 above)
are to be filed with the Secretary of The Gathering of Baptists
In the pursuit of its purpose to foster wholeness, integrity, and responsible ministry following the example of Jesus, The Gathering of Baptists offers a service to its membership of recognizing and listing the credentials of qualified clergy persons. The “List of Clergy Persons Whose Credentials Are Recognized” will provide indication of status and recognition to employers and to governmental agencies. The Gathering of Baptists takes the recognition of credentials very seriously, is open to individual circumstances, but is not responsible for the actions or inactions of any person listed by it. The following guideline provides our expectation of process for, and of persons, so “listed” with The Gathering of Baptists.
Educational Standard: Normally, we would expect a minimum of a university undergraduate degree plus a Theological degree from an educational institution recognized by the Association of Theological Schools, or an equivalent theological training from outside North America. The Gathering will consider alternate paths of preparation valuing experience and informal education as well as academic training.
Credentials Committee: A Credentials Committee shall be appointed at the fall Gathering. The membership shall be ten persons, with a majority of lay-persons if possible. The normal term of appointment is a period of three years, renewable. The responsibility of the Committee is to assess applications for credentials and ordination, if applicable; to interview the applicant, and to make recommendation to the membership at a duly scheduled meeting of The Gathering of Baptists. The interview with the applicant is anticipated to be a one-day event in a relaxed, casual and open format. That day will stress sharing of faith journey and experience and sharing of understanding of ministry and Gospel. The Committee will satisfy itself with a sense of the “calling” of the candidate and the appropriateness of credentialing with the Gathering in keeping with the Purpose and Covenant of the Gathering of Baptists. The responsibility will include reaching consensus among Committee Members on a recommendation to a Gathering.
Credentialing Process:
1. One seeking credentials with The Gathering of Baptists will make application to the
Gathering through its Moderator. Such application must include a statement of appreciation and affirmation of the Purpose and Covenant of the Gathering of Baptists, and should include statements of faith journey, understanding of ministry, and academic and experiential qualification. In keeping with traditional Baptist congregational polity, the application should have sponsorship, support and encouragement of the applicant’s congregation or faith supporters / community, and the application should be introduced with a letter from a supporting congregation conveying its endorsement and ownership of the applicant’s ministry
2. The Moderator shall assign the application to a Credentials Committee who will satisfy themselves with the appropriateness of the application, arrange for a meeting including the applicant, Committee members, and any others which the applicant and the Committee members deem to be appropriate, such as representatives from the applicant’s congregation.
3. After meeting with the applicant, the Committee will advise the Moderator of its decision and report to the next meeting of The Gathering of Baptists with its recommendation.
4. At a meeting of The Gathering of Baptists, the membership shall receive, explore, and act upon the recommendation of the Credentials Committee. Any appeal of the Credentials Committee’s recommendation would be made to a Gathering meeting.
5. The Credentials Committee will work with the applicant to organize any celebratory worship experience of the successful applicant. An ordination is primarily the responsibility of the sponsoring community but should include representation from and participation by the credentialing body.
Previously Ordained Clergy: The foregoing Process may be shortened significantly for persons already ordained by another body. The Credentials Committee may substantially reduce the extent of the interview and statement based on their knowledge of the candidate and may not require the support of a congregation. Electronic meetings may suffice. The Credentials Committee is granted broad scope in the exercise of their responsibilities. However, there must be at least a one page submission by the candidate expressing appreciation of The Gathering’s Covenant and highlighting her/his background and experience. A copy of the candidate’s latest Ordination Certificate is to be included. In the simplest of circumstances, a Gathering may pass a motion to recognize the candidate as ordained within, and responsible to, The Gathering of Baptists.
Pastoral Support: Ministry in any setting can be an isolating experience. For this reason The Gathering will present the opportunity for all candidates for credentials to acknowledge their clearly identified source of ongoing support and accountability in discussion with the Credentials Committee. If a candidate for credentials does not have such a resource, he or she will be invited to use the resources of The Gathering to establish such a support group in conjunction with the Credentials Committee.
De Credentialing Process: A credentialed clergy person may have her/his credentials removed upon his/her request. A report would be made at the next meeting of The Gathering of Baptists. An application by anyone for the removal of credentials of another would proceed as above with the interview starting with the issuer of the application for removal.
Dual Credentials: The Gathering of Baptists accepts that its credentialed clergy may also have to hold credentials in their Baptist and/or other denomination(s) for practical working relationships.
Marriage License: The Gathering of Baptists will work with Provincial Governments to facilitate the granting of license to marry of its Gathering-credentialed clergy.
Benefits: The Gathering of Baptists does not provide a benefit package but encourages its members to contract with their employers for the provision of professional insurance and benefits package, including a retirement savings plans comparable to the industrial wage-owners average. The Gathering of Baptists will offer advice from some of its experienced members.
Gathering sub-committee assigned to prepare this document:
Ray Hobbs, Michael Steeves, Gary Caldwell
This document was approved at The Gathering on October 28, 2006
Revisions approved 29 April 2017, 28 April 2018, & 25 April 2020
Credentialing of Clergy
Application Checklist
This checklist is intended to serve two purposes. First to ensure that adequate
information is available for the Credentials Committee and subsequent Ordination process.
Second to register with The Gathering of Baptists
that there are no issues which will impact its liability.
Firstly, The Process:
- 1. Letter of request to the Moderator.
- 2. Statement of appreciation and affirmation of the Purpose and Covenant of
- 3. A brief biography
- 4. Statements of - faith journey,
- academic and experiential qualification.
- 5. Letter of support and encouragement of the applicant’s congregation/community,
Ordination
- 6. Copy of latest Ordination Certificate ( for previously Ordained clergy )
Note that for previously ordained clergy 4 and 5 above may not be required.
Secondly, Liability Considerations:
Yes No Are you a Class A member of The Gathering of Baptists ? (required)
Yes No Would you be prepared to undergo a Police Check re vulnerable persons
should the Credentialing Committee request it ?
Yes No Are you aware of any allegations against you of misconduct, including
but not limited to, sexual harassment, exploitation, physical or mental abuse,
child abuse, financial, ethical or professional indiscretion which may be in process
or might be levied in law court against you ? If yes, please explain following or
on an accompanying piece or pieces of paper and attach hereto.
Please note that at the completion of a successful Accreditation and/or Ordination process,
this checklist along with key documents (including 1, 2, 3 & 6 above)
are to be filed with the Secretary of The Gathering of Baptists