Are you an endorsing church or endorsing minister? Or interested in becoming one?
Whether this is your first time or you have been endorsing for years, this page will help give you the resources you need while navigating endorsing new members into the FCA.
Endorsing Church Guide - This document summarizes the process of endorsing a new minister or ministry for Endorsing Churches (EC).
Endorsing Minister Guide - This document summarizes the process of endorsing a new minister for Endorsing Ministers (2EM).
The FCA Handbook should be carefully reviewed to get the entire information on endorsing and licensing. Below are links to online forms and supporting documents to help in the process of credentialing new members.
Endorsement Checklist - This document helps you as you go through the process of endorsing a new minister or ministry to ensure you do not miss any details in the process.
The FCA is a governing body that credentials ministers through the local church endorsement. As an endorser, you are vouching for those that you endorse. You are the gatekeepers of the Fellowship. Those that you endorse are potential future leaders within the FCA.
There is never a one size fits all for endorsement, but the standards to go by include:
- Get to know the minister/ministry and build a genuine ongoing relationship
- Conduct Due diligence by interviewing/checking references/biblical studies requirements met
- Educate the new minister/ministry about the FCA through our Handbook, Constitution & Bylaws, annual conventions, and regional gatherings
- Commission - When you are ready to commission someone into ministry, fill out the Affirmation Form and request a Certificate for your commissioning service
- Register - Complete the process by having the new member fill out the Application Form and submit Payment
Are you ready to take the next step towards leadership in the FCA and become an endorser?
Please contact the FCA office to begin the process of becoming an endorser (e.) office@fcaministers.com (p.) 403-341-3408.
The first step in the process is to establish relationship. There is the personal relationship, but you are also helping build a relationship between the new member and the FCA. Encourage new ministers to build relationships with others in the FCA through our member website, regional gatherings and annual conventions. The power of endorsement lies in your ability to raise up new endorsing leaders. In order to do this, it is vital that they know and value principles and practices that define our fellowship.
Your endorsed members should be familiar with the following documents:
Due diligence and accountability are vital in endorsement. A relationship may exist, but it is important to interview your new ministers/ministries. You are vouching for their theological orthodoxy, spiritual maturity, personal integrity, and ministry abilities. It is also your responsibility to ensure an ongoing relationship exists by checking in on your endorsed ministers - at the least annually.
These templates are provided to help you interview and keep annual connections with those you endorse.
Minister
- Interview Guide (initial interview process)
- Yearly Check-in (to be completed annually before reaffirming at renewal)
- Minister Contact Sheet
- Minister Contact Log
- Biblical Studies Guidelines (Must meet biblical studies requirements to be licensed and/or ordained)
Ministry: Church or Parachurch
- Interview Guide (initial interview process)
- Yearly Check-in (to be completed annually before reaffirming at renewal)
- Ministry Contact Sheet
- Ministry Contact Log
Ministers are licensed/ordained by a church community, not an individual. A commissioning service is an opportunity to publicly recognize individuals who have demonstrated spiritual giftedness and church leadership. Their calling and competencies have been confirmed and they become credentialed as pastoral leaders in church-related ministries. This is a celebration of an official relationship between the minister and their EC.
The Commissioning Service should be administrated by the Endorsing Church and include the following:
- A pastoral address to the congregation
- Charge to the candidate
- A public response from the candidate
- Laying on of hands and prayer
- Congregational celebration
The Endorsing Church should contact the FCA Office to request a License to Minister or Ordination Certificate. This request can be completed on the Affirmation Form and submitted at least two weeks before the scheduled Commissioning Service.
A copy of the signed License to Minister or Ordination Certificate must be sent to the FCA office. Copies may be submitted by email to office@fcaministers.com or by mail to the FCA Office.
The following forms should be filled out after the relationship has been established and due diligence has been conducted.
All new certificates should be requested from the FCA office on the Minister Affirmation Form.
Registering a Minister
There are 4 parts to registering a new minister.
-
- Minister Affirmation Form
- Copy of Signed Certificate + Copy of Biblical Studies Document
- Minister Application Form
- Payment* (calculated on application form)
Registering a Ministry: Church or Parachurch
There are 3 parts to registering a new ministry.
-
- Ministry Affirmation Form
- Ministry Application Form
- Payment* (calculated on application form)
*Annual Membership Rates:
Minister $180, Spouse $120, Missionary $60, Retired $60
Church rate is 1% of Operating Budget; Minimum $225 and Maximum $3,000
Parachurch rate is 1% of Operating Budget; Minimum $225 and Maximum $1,500
Are you ready to take the next step towards leadership in the FCA and become an endorser?
Please contact the FCA office to begin the process of becoming an endorser (e.) office@fcaministers.com (p.) 403-341-3408.