To elect a District Ministerial Credentials Board of not less than five assigned ordained ministers, one of whom shall be the district superintendent, to serve for four years and until their successors are elected and qualified. This board shall meet prior to the district assembly to consider all matters subject to its authority and, insofar as is possible, to complete its work prior to the district assembly. (226–228.10)
Index: District Ministerial Credentials Board
212
The district superintendent may fill vacancies in the following committees:
- District Assembly Finance Committee (203.21);
- District Auditing Committee (203.25);
- District Ministerial Credentials Board (226.1);
- District Ministerial Studies Board (229.1);
- District Evangelism Board or the district director of evangelism (232);
- District Church Properties Board (233);
- District Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) Board (238);
- District Court of Appeals (609);
- Other district boards and standing committees where such are not provided in the Manual or by assembly action.
226
The District Ministerial Credentials Board shall be composed of not less than five assigned ordained ministers, one of whom shall be the district superintendent. They shall serve for a period of four years and until their successors are elected and qualified. However, their terms of service may be staggered by electing a proportion of the board annually. (203.15)
226.1
A vacancy occurring in the Ministerial Credentials Board in the interim of the district assemblies may be filled by appointment by the district superintendent. (212)
227
Following the election of the Ministerial Credentials Board the district superintendent shall call a meeting of the board for organization as follows:
228
The duties of the Ministerial Credentials Board are:
228.1
To carefully examine and evaluate all persons who have been properly presented to the district assembly for election to the order of elder, the order of deacon, and for minister’s license.
228.2
To carefully examine and evaluate all persons desiring to receive a certificate for any of the assigned roles of ministry, including all lay and ministerial candidates aspiring to be recognized for ministries beyond the local church, and any other special relations provided by the Manual.
228.3
To carefully inquire of each candidate and make any other investigation deemed advisable concerning his or her personal experience of salvation; personal experience of entire sanctification by the baptism with the Holy Spirit; knowledge of the doctrines of the Bible; full acceptance of the doctrines, the Covenant of Christian Character and the Covenant of Christian Conduct, and the polity of the church; evidence of graces, gifts, intellectual, moral, and spiritual qualifications, and general fitness for the ministry to which the candidate feels called.
228.4
To carefully investigate the conduct of each candidate to seek to identify whether or not the candidate is engaging in or has a pattern of conduct, which if continued would be inconsistent with the ministry for which the candidate has applied.