MINISTERIAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (MIP)

The Ministerial Internship Program (MIP) is mandated by the General Assembly of the Church of God as a requirement for all Exhorters before advancing to the rank of Ordained Minister. The basic purpose of the MIP is to give the beginning minister and his/her spouse a practical training experience at the local level under the supervision of a pastor. It is a nine-month program consisting of monthly seminars for both minister and spouse, individual study, and a ministry practicum under the mentorship of a supervising pastor to whom the intern is assigned.

STEPS & REQUIREMENT IN MIP PROCESS

  • Please contact the credentialing department at the state office and request an application.

  • Background check fee of $100 is to be submitted with the application.

  • Exhorter must be current with his/her monthly minister’s reports for the last six months.

  • A twelve-month tithing record.

The cost for MIP is:

  • $1,550 Married Couple

  • $1,300 Singles

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • MIP semesters begin in September of each year

  • MIP application packets must be received in the office no later than July 1st for the Fall semester.

MINISTERIAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTION

Exhorter

  1. Applicant must have a CAMS certificate or have been exempt from CAMS.

  2. Examined by the Examining Board.

  3. Order study guide and prepare for the examination.

  4. The administrative bishop schedules the date, time and location of the examination and informs the applicant. Applicant is notified of the upcoming testing date.

  5. If an applicant wishes to test, they must notify the credentialing secretary 30 days prior to the test date of their interest in testing.

Ordained Minister

  1. Applicant must have a MIP certificate or have been exempt from MIP.

  2. Obtain and complete an application for ordained minister rank.

  3. Request the recommendation of the local pastor and/or regional bishop.

  4. Must be current with his/her monthly minister’s reports for the last six months.

  5. A twelve-month faithful tithing and attendance record will be requested from your local church.

  6. Order study guide and prepare for the examination.

  7. The administrative bishop schedules the date, time and location of the examination and informs the applicant. Applicant is notified of the upcoming testing date.

  8. Testing takes place in April & November of each year.

  9. If an applicant wishes to test, they must notify the credentialing secretary 30 days prior to the test date of their interest in testing.

Ordained Bishop

  1. Contact the state office and request the ordained bishop application.

  2. Request the recommendation of the local pastor and/or regional bishop.

  3. Must be current with his/her monthly minister’s reports for the last six months.

  4. A twelve-month faithful tithing and attendance record will be requested from your local church.

  5. If the applicant and/or the applicant’s spouse have divorce and remarriage history, the applicant must complete the documentation statement and make sure that all questionnaire forms have been submitted and approved. Advancement to ordained bishop will require the approval of the administrative bishop, two-thirds majority vote of the state council and two-thirds majority vote of the executive council.

  6. Order study guide and prepare for examination.

  7. The administrative bishop schedules the date, time and location of the examination and informs the applicant.

  8. If an applicant wishes to test, they must notify the credentialing secretary 30 days prior to the test date of their interest in testing.

Any questions can be directed to Charlotte Music @ (240) 755-0468 or credentialing@cogdelmarva-dc.org