CREDENTIALING QUICK LINKS
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Thank you for your interest in obtaining credentials with the West Texas and Plains District. Our office is always grateful for the opportunity to connect with men and women who are actively pursuing the call of God on their lives.
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Below are the steps and requirements necessary to apply for ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God in the West Texas & Plains District. If you have any specific questions, please contact our office at 806-747-9900 or email Rev. Lauro C. Hernandez at: sec@wtapag.org
NEW CREDENTIAL HOLDER STEPS
STEPS FOR THOSE PURSUING FIRST TIME CREDENTIALS WITH THE WTAP
STEP 1: WRITTEN REQUEST TO YOUR EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER & LEAD PASTOR FORM
Please download the Lead Pastor form and give to you pastor. They will send this to Executie Presbyter in your area. Then send a written request to the Executive Presbyter in your region requesting credentials. You can submit this request by completing the form using the button below.
STEP 2: PRE-APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE
All applicants must fill out a Pre-Application Questionnaire. This questionnaire allows our office to assess if you meet the basic requirements for credentials.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
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SPIRITUAL: Applicants for ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God must be saved (new birth, born again), baptized in water and in the Spirit (with evidence of speaking in other tongues)
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EDUCATION: All applicants must meet the appropriate educational requirements for the level of credentials being sought.
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MARRIAGE HISTORY: While history with divorce and remarriage is not an automatic disqualifier from credentialing, it can be in certain cases. Please contact the WTAP Secretary’s office via the Pre-Application Questionnaire before starting the credentialing process for clarification in these areas.
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LIFESTYLE CHOICES: All applicants must state a willingness to abstain from using tobacco, alcohol, illegal or recreational drugs in any form, and involvement with pornography or gambling.
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BANKRUPTCY: If you have a history of bankruptcy, please download and complete the Bankruptcy Questionnaire and send it to the WTAP Secretary/Treasurer's office.
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RESIDENCY: Applicant must reside in WEST TEXAS at the time of their application.
STEP 3: PHONE APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR REGIONAL PRESBYTER
Once educational requirements have been verified, a phone appointment with the Secretary/Treasurer will be scheduled. The appointment will cover the application process as well as any additional requirements needed (i.e. divorce recognitions, bankruptcy questionnaires).
STEP 4: APPLICATION PAPERWORK
Following the phone appointment, the official credential application and corresponding paperwork will be emailed to you (or mailed upon request). You will bring this completed application, including a photo, notarized release forms, and a copy of your Social Security card to your Regional Presbyter in step 5 of this process. You will also need to pay the initial background check fee of $85 (CERTIFIED), $90 (LICENSED), and $95 (Ordained) prior to the credentialing interview with the link provided below.
STEP 5: INITIAL PRESBYTER INTERVIEW
You will need to schedule an in-person appointment with your regional presbyter. At the time of the interview, the completed application, including a photo, notarized release forms, and a copy of the applicant’s Social Security card to this meeting. The Presbyter will forward a report of the interview along with the submitted material to the West Texas and Plains Secretary/Treasurer’s office for processing.
STEP 6: APPLICATION PROCESSING
On receipt of the documentation, the West Texas & Plains District will process the mandatory background check (felony and credit check). Any flagged items on the background check report may require additional written explanation and documentation. Should for any reason the applicant’s credit be frozen, please contact our office prior to submitting an application.
Reference forms will be sent to the list of references the applicant submits on the application. These references will be sent directly back to the WTAP office and results kept confidential from the applicant.
STEP 7: WRITTEN EXAMS
After steps 1-6 are completed, the applicant can schedule their written exams with their Regional Presbyter. A study guide for these exams is provided here and, once exams are scheduled, a General Council issued exam will be sent to the Regional Presbyter. The applicant is responsible to schedule the exam appointment with the Presbyter prior to established deadline (30 days prior to committee interviews).
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For certified credential candidates, two exams are required: (1) Bible Knowledge, and (2) Doctrine. For licensed and ordained candidates (who are not currently credentialed), three exams are required: (1) Bible Knowledge, (2) Doctrine, and (3) AG Polity.
For exam requirements for credential upgrades, click HERE to redirect to the UPGRADES PAGE.
STEP 8: COMMITTEE INTERVIEW
The WTAP Secretary/Treasurer’s office will schedule all final credential interviews at a regional location. Interviews are scheduled in the months of January, and September. You should have paid The General Council application fee by this time, use the button below to pay)
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The interview committee typically consists of West Texas & Plains leadership (Executive and Regional Presbyters, WTAP officers). The applicant’s spouse (if applicable) is expected to attend the interview.
STEP 9: WTAP PRESBYTERY & GENERAL COUNCIL APPROVAL
The West Texas & Plains Executive Presbytery reviews the recommendations of the Interview Committee and forwards their recommendation to General Council for recognition.
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The General Council Credentials Committee reviews the full application and, if approved, grants recognition of the ministry credential.
STEP 10: NEW CREDENTIAL HOLDER ORIENTATION
New credential holders will be invited to a day of orientation hosted by the West Texas and Plains District to meet with our District staff and receive information regarding subjects of interest as a newly credentialed minister.