Read "Minutes 2022 Church of God", which contains information about the qualifications for ministry in the Church of God.

​

Become an Exhorter

Completion of Calling and Ministry Studies (CAMS) is required prior to obtaining Exhorter credentials in the Church of God.  A person who feels called to become a credentialed minister in the Church of God should discuss his/her calling with his/her pastor and ask the pastor to email Bishop Daniel Piñero to mindev@cognesr.org. Upon receipt of the request from the pastor, an Exhorter Application will be mailed to the applicant.  

As part of the application process, the individual desiring credentials will have a background check. You will also have an interview process with your district pastor. 

Upon recommendation of the Ministerial Development Board, the candidate will be ready to pay the Credentialing fee and receive the Exhorters Study Guide and will be eligible to take the Exhorter exam.

 

 

Become an Ordained Minister

An exhorter who desires to advance to the rank of ordained minister should Email Bishop Daniel Piñero and request an Ordained Minister/Ministerial Internship Program (MIP) Application.

After successful completion of MIP, the individual will be ready to pay the Credentialing fee which will allow us to provide the Ordained Minister Study Guide and will be eligible to take the Ordained Minister exam.

 

Ordained Bishop

The applicant for ordination as bishop must meet the Biblical requirements as set forth in I Timothy 3:1-7.

An applicant for ordination as bishop may be ordained when he is twenty-five (25) years of age, provided he has had at least eight (8) years of active ministry, or he has three (3) years of active ministry accompanied by a ministry-related degree or its equivalency from an accredited institution or one certified by the Church of God Division of Education, or when he is thirty (30) years of age, provided he has had at least five (5) years of active ministry, if he is otherwise qualified. In those cases, in which a ministerial applicant has had verifiable active ministerial experience prior to receiving credentials, exceptions to the age qualifications can be made upon recommendation by the ministerial applicant’s administrative bishop and with the approval of the Executive Council (72nd A.,2008; 76th A.,2016, pp.183-84).

For additional information, see the most current edition of the Minutes of the International General Assembly of the Church of God. 

A minister who meets the above qualifications may Email Bishop Daniel Piñero to obtain an Ordained Bishop Application.  Along with the application, background check, and Local Church Endorsement form will be required.

There will be an additional form required for any Church of God minister with a previous marital issue wishing to advance in rank to Ordained Bishop whose marital status has not changed since he was last approved to receive or retain credentials in the Church of God. Approval of this form will be required from the Regional Executive Council along with an interview prior to the applicant testing for the Ordained Bishop credential.