Credentialing

As referenced in the Polity section, the BIC approach to credentialing may be different from the past experience of many pastors. In the BIC it is the denominational leadership, specifically the credentialing overseer, that provides ministerial credentials to a pastor and it is not the role of the local church to decide if a pastor can be credentialed. The BIC requires all pastoral staff to be credentialed by the denomination by completing the process listed below. It is our expectation that when any person is provided the title ‘Pastor’ in a BIC church, the congregation has the confidence that their Pastor has been vetted by the BIC Credentialing Overseer to ensure theological affinity with the denomination.

CREDENTIALING LEVELS

There are two levels of credentialing with the Be In Christ Church of Canada. The credentialing level relates to the type of role a person holds within a congregation. In the BIC, we recognize different types of pastors. These roles include conventional vocational clergy but also second-career callings where people have a pastoral gifting but not the educational training.

Licensed Level

The licensed level reflects the lay tradition of pastoral leadership that is part of the anabaptist history. Throughout our history, not everyone who has had ‘pastoral roles’ were necessarily individuals with theologically training. Below is an approach which seeks to accommodate for both professional and emergent forms of pastoral leadership, both of which we believe are required for the future of the church in Canada.

EXPECTATIONS
  • This person has pastoral responsibilities within their congregation such as prayer ministry, visitation, music ministry, bible studies or small group leadership. Credentialing is not intended for people with administrative or financial roles in a congregation.
  • This person would be identified with the title ‘Pastor’ in their local church.
  • This person would have the option obtaining a marriage license to solemnize weddings. 
  • This person is not in a primary teaching role, although they may be asked to preach or teach 8 – 10 times per year. 
  • This person is expected to be involved in BIC development programs to ensure alignment with our values and theological traditions. 
  • It would be expected that any person who is hired as Licensed and not Ordained, and is also in a primary teaching role, would have at least one year of theological training (6 – 8 courses) and is planning for ongoing education and development. 
Ordained Level

Many in pastoral ministry have theological education and training as they have been called to work full-time as vocational pastors. Having completed the ‘Credentialing Process’, this person would receive the level of ‘Ordained’ and would also carry the designation of ‘Reverend’ to be used as appropriate. 

EXPECTATIONS
  • This person has obtained at least an undergraduate degree in theological studies, or other equivalents.
  • This person considers ministry their vocational career and is willing to relocate to another church once an assignment has been concluded. 
  • This person would be identified with the title ‘Pastor’ or ‘Reverend’ in their local church.
  • This person would have the option obtaining a marriage license to solemnize weddings. 
  • This person is encouraged to be involved in ongoing training through the BIC development programs to supplement any deficiencies in their theological or leadership training. 
RECOGNITION

Upon completing either of the credentialing levels, a person or their church leadership team may desire to hold a ceremony at their local church to celebrate the achievement. It is the responsibility of the local church, in communication with their pastor, to plan such an event. If a person is being recognized for ordination, a denominational staff person would be happy to be involved. 

CREDENTIALING PROCESS

It is important to note that in the BIC credentialing is connected to the placement of an individual in a pastoral position. As you begin the process towards a pastoral position within the Be In Christ Church of Canada, the material below is provided to help prepare you for the process of credentialing. If you have any questions during the process that are not addressed on this webpage, please contact us with your questions.

If you are new to the denomination, this process will operate concurrently with the local church hiring process. What is described below are the parts of the process related to credentialing. The list below does not represent steps that need to be completed in a specific order. A denominational leader will guide you through the process to ensure all parts are completed.

Preparatory Reading

We believe that the BIC has an important and unique vision of Jesus that has been lost by many other denominations. To better understand the unique theology, culture and polity of the BIC, please take the time to read through The Pastoral Way website as well as our Be In Christ website. Of particular note, read the theology page on Pastoral Way. The theology page has many resources that will provide you with information about the Be In Christ including our theological, historical and cultural identity as a denomination. Make use of the resources on the theology page to ensure you understand and are prepared for your credentialing process and your ministry placement.

Interview

A denominational leader will meet with you in-person or via Zoom as the first step in the credentialing process. 

Credentialing Documents

Following an interview with a BIC leader, the documents below will need to be completed as the next step in the process. These documents are a very important part in the process and you should take the necessary time to thoughtfully complete them.

Please complete the online forms listed below and notify a denominational leader once they are complete. The Executive Director will review your documents to affirm your alignment with BIC theology and values.

The forms below are part of a software system that we use for many purposes so create a login ID and save the information securely as you will be logging into this system often as a BIC pastor.

If instructed, please fill in the Church Affinity Form. The form is intended to be presented to a church board that is contemplating hiring you. Pastors that already have an assignment do not need to fill out the Church Affinity form. 

Credentialing Interview

Once the Credentialing Overseer has reviewed your credentialing documents, they will arrange to meet with you via Zoom for review and discussion.

Issuing of Credentials

You will be issued a ministerial ‘License’ based on the completion of the parts described above.

As mentioned at the top of this page, there are two levels of credentials: ‘Licensed’ and ‘Ordained.’ If you receive Licensed level and desire to be Ordained, you will need to provide documentation as proof of the appropriate level of theological education based on your role. For Senior Pastors and those who teach regularly, we strongly recommend that you possess as minimum a bachelor’s degree in theological, biblical or pastoral studies. If you do not have a degree, or plan to serve in an associate role, Todd Lester will discuss with you any ongoing educational requirements appropriate to your role.

Unless a person is transferring from an active pastoral position, we would expect a person applying for chaplaincy ministry to be actively involved in a local BIC church for at least one year. 

Background Check

You will need to provide the BIC with an original and up-to-date police background check. This cannot be a photocopy or shared document. We will save the background check in our BIC database records and it will not be returned to you.

Digital Photo

We will need a digital photo of you that includes only you, no sports logos or spouses included please. Take the photo against a monochrome background and, unlike a passport, we really want you to smile.

New Pastors Orientation

Within the first year of service, we require all new pastors to attend two orientation retreats. The orientation events will acclimatize you to the BIC pastoral community by focusing on our history, theological streams, culture, core values, and pastoral expectations. The events happen in the fall and winter seasons and each retreat is one-and-a-half days long and held at a hotel in St. Jacobs, Ontario. 

CREDENTIALING STATUS

In the BIC we only hold credentials for individuals who have an identified and active ministry assignment. Because not all ministry positions are the same, we have identified four statuses for a credentialed person in the Be In Christ Church of Canada. Most BIC pastors are ‘Assigned’ or ‘Special Assigned’ (descriptions below). Emeritus is granted to lifelong pastors who have served in the BIC for more than twenty-five years.

Because credentials are linked to a ministry assignment, when a ministry assignment has been completed, your credentials will be removed until a new ministry assignment is obtained. Upon termination of a role, a grace period of 90 days is provided to allow for transition to another church or denomination. 

A description of each credentialing status is below with expectations for maintaining that status.

  • Assigned
    An individual serving as a pastor in a local Be In Christ congregation. To retain these credentials you must continue to hold your ministry position, attend all LEAD events, Annual General Meeting and your regional cluster group.
  • Special Assigned
    An individual serving in a pastoral role but not within the local congregation (e.g., hospital care, elder care, chaplaincy). To retain your credentials you must attend at least one event per year (LEAD, AGM, Ministry Leaders Retreat), submit a yearly report sent to you from the BIC office and actively attend a BIC church where possible. If you are not actively involved in a BIC Church, then a $400 fee will be required to retain your credentials.
  • Emeritus
    An individual who has held credentials with the BIC for 25 years or more and is no longer serving in a pastoral role. To maintain this status the individual must attend a BIC church unless there are exceptional circumstances that make it impossible.
  • Suspended
    An individual whose credentials are under a review process due to ethical, moral, criminal, theological or behavioural concerns. Upon completion of a review, the next steps will be discussed with the credential holder.
CREDENTIALING DISCIPLINE

Be In Christ Church of Canada takes allegations of clergy misconduct seriously. Clergy who participate in misconduct will be subject to discipline and possible revocation of their ministry credentials. Allegations of sexual misconduct made against a person credentialed by BIC Canada will be handled according to our Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy.