Requirements for Ordination Recognition

Below is a list of the documentation to be sent to the Mission Northwest Office.

  1. The Candidate will submit a doctrinal paper, including:

    1.  A brief biographical statement including place of birth, family and marital status (including widowhood or divorce, if applicle), and experiences important for personal development; 

    2. A description of how the Candidate became a Christian;

    3. A description of how the Candidate is growing in the Christian life;

    4. Description of the significance of the local church and the broader body of Christ in the life and growth of the believer; 

    5. A description of the Candidate’s call to a preaching or teaching ministry;

    6. Reasons for seeking to be recognized as an ordained minister by Transformation Ministries;

    7. A summary doctrinal statement of 1,500 to 3,000 words in the Candidate’s own words, so structured as to demonstrate Biblical and pastoral competence addressing the following.

  • The authority and reliability of the Scripture  

  • God

  • The person and work of Christ (including the atonement) 

  • The Holy Spirit

  • The human race and society 

  • Sin 

  • Salvation 

  • Sanctification and growth of believers toward spiritual maturity 

  • The nature and mission of the church  

  • The meaning and practice of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper  

  • Eschatology (including the return of Christ, heaven and hell) 

The Candidate shall substantiate their understanding of these important items with Scripture references in the doctrinal statement.

2. The paper will be accompanied by:

  1. A letter from the local church of which the Candidate is a member or pastor, indicating the action taken to recommend the recognition of the Candidate’s previous ordination;

  2. A transcript from the college and/or seminary from which the Candidate is a graduate; 

  3. A copy of the Candidate’s ordination certificate, accompanied by a letter from the body granting ordination indicating that the Candidate remains in good standing; and

  4. A signed statement agreeing with the Convictions of ABC Northwest and the Ministry's Leadership Covenant of Ethical Behavior.

  5. The role of the Ordination Standards Council is to orally examine the Candidate’s theological and practical compatibility with the beliefs and practices of ABC Northwest. It is not to examine the standing of the person before God, his/her worth or spirituality. 

Possible Outcomes of the Oral Examination

  • Recommend that the Mission Lead recognize the ordination of the Candidate;

  • Recommend that the Candidate complete further study or work prior to recognition of ordination; or

  • Recommend that that the Mission Lead not recognize the ordination of the Candidate.

If the local church recognizes the ordination of an individual who was not approved by the ABC Northwest Ordination Standards Council, the ordination will not be recognized by ABC Northwest.

You may download the complete ordination procedures and standards document titled, "Ministry Standards in Transformation Ministries," that also details the oral requirements that are to be met during the examination by the Ordination Standards Council.