New Member Endorsement Process

Are you interested in becoming a member of the FCA?

This page will help give you the resources you need to navigate the endorsement and registration process to become a new member into the FCA.

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The FCA is a governing body that credentials ministers through the local church endorsement. In order to be credentialed through the FCA, you must have an FCA Endorsing Church endorse and license you.

If you currently do not have an Endorsing Church, please check out our list of Endorsing Churches.

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There is never a one size fits all for endorsement, but the general process includes:

• Get to know your Endorser(s) and build a genuine ongoing relationship.
• Due diligence will be conducted by your Endorser(s) by interviewing/checking references.
• Endorser(s) will Educate you about the FCA through our Handbook, Constitution & Bylaws, annual conventions, and regional gatherings.
• Biblical Studies Documents - You should supply your Endorser(s) with copies of your Biblical Studies (copies of transcripts or other documents supporting you meet the studies requirements to be Licensed). If you have not completed formal Bible school, then you need to have completed the equivalent of academic Biblical study on your own.
• Commission - Once the above is completed, your endorsing church may commission you into ministry by having a commissioning service.*
• Register - You will need to fill out the Application Form and submit Payment.

*If you are transferring your License or Ordination from another organization, please be sure your Endorser(s) have a copy of it. Those that are not already ordained cannot be registered through the 2EM method.

Endorsement | Documents + Forms

The first step in the process is to establish relationship. Your Endorser(s) should build a personal relationship with you along with help build a relationship between you and the FCA.  As a new FCA member, you should be intentional to build relationships with others in the FCA through our member website, regional gatherings and annual conventions.

You should be familiar with the following documents:

• FCA Handbook
• FCA Constitution & By-laws

Due diligence and accountability are vital in endorsement. A relationship may exist, but it is important for your Endorser(s) to interview you. Your Endorser(s) will likely conduct an Interview and Yearly Check-Ins.

It is also your responsibility to maintain an ongoing relationship with your Endorser(s) . This includes connecting annually, at the least.

Ministers are endorsed 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 following forms should be filled out after the relationship has been established and due diligence has been conducted.

Registering as a Minister

There are 4 parts to registering a new minister.

1. Minister Affirmation Form
2. Copy of Signed Certificate + Copy of Biblical Studies Document
3. Minister Application Form
4. Payment* (calculated on application form)

Registering as a Ministry: Church or Parachurch

There are 3 parts to registering a new ministry.

1. Ministry Affirmation Form
2. Ministry Application Form
3. 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