Clergy

Scope of Ministry
Christ's gifts to the Church include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11) "AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS.", exhorters, administrators, leaders, and helpers (Romans 12:78) "OR MINISTRY, LET US WAIT ON OUR MINISTERING: OR HE THAT TEACHETH, ON TEACHING; OR HE THAT EXHORTETH. ON EXHORTATION: HE THAT GIVETH, LET HIM DO IT WITH SIMPLICITY: HE THAT RULETH, WITH DILIGENCE; HE THAT SHOWETH MERCY. WITH CHEERFULNESS.". Spirit Quest International understands God's call to these ministry gifts is totally within His sovereign discretion without regard to gender, race, disability, or national origin.

Eligibility of Women
The Scriptures plainly teach that divinely called and qualified women may also serve the church in the ministry of the Word (Joel 2:29) "AND ALSO UPON THE SERVANTS AND UPON THE HANDMAIDS IN THOSE DAYS WILL I POUR OUT MY SPIRIT.", (Acts 21:9) "AND THE SAME MAN HAD FOUR DAUGHTERS, VIRGINS. WHICH DID PROPHESY.", (1 at Corinthians 11:5) "BUT EVERY WOMAN THAT PRAYETH OR PROPHESIETH WITH HER HEAD UNCOVERED DISHONORETH HER HEAD: FOR THAT IS EVEN ALL ONE AS IF SHE WERE SHAVEN.". Women who meet the qualifications for ministerial credentials are eligible for whatever grade of credentials their qualifications warrant and have the right to administer the ordinances of the church and are eligible to serve in all levels of church ministry.

Certificates and Licenses
The General Board of Administration of Spirit Quest International shall have the authority to grant or revoke all levels of Certificates and Licenses.

The General Board of Administration reserves the right to review special considerations involving any level of ministerial licensing. Such requests should be made in writing, and addressed to the Spirit Quest International General Board of Administration.

Levels of Clergy Credentials
Spirit Quest International recognizes the following levels of Clergy credentials:

Associate Minister          Licensed Minister          Ordained Minister

  1. Associate Minister
    1. The General Board of Administration of Spirit Quest International shall have the authority to grant or revoke an Associate Minister credential.
    2. The ceremonial presentation of the Associate Minister credential may be delegated to the local church.
    3. To be eligible for the Associate Minister credential, a candidate must:
      1. Subscribe to and demonstrate character consistent with the Spirit Quest International Articles of Faith.
      2. Be a member of a local church and be recommended by that local church. This recommendation must be in writing and signed by the Senior Pastor and church secretary.
      3. Be committed and certain of a definite call to Christian work.
      4. Must demonstrate an understanding of the Spirit Quest International "Articles of Faith" and "Understanding of the Articles of Faith" by successfully completing a prescribed questionnaire.
      5. Application and fees apply.
  2. Licensed Minister
    1. The General Board of Administration of Spirit Quest International shall have the authority to grant or revoke a Licensed Minister credential.
    2. The presentation of the Licensed Minister credential will be conducted by one or more members of the General Board of Administration.
    3. In order to be eligible for a Licensed Minister credential, a candidate must: subscribe to and demonstrate character consistent with the Spirit Quest International Articles of Faith.
      1. Be committed and certain of a definite call to ministry and leadership according to Ephesians 4:11 "AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS.".
      2. Complete the prescribed study program.
      3. If not previously done, must demonstrate an understanding of the Spirit Quest International "Articles of Faith" and "Understanding ofthe Articles of Faith" by successfully completing a prescribed questionnaire.
      4. Be approved by a Conference-approved screening/interview committee after the committee has conducted a background check.
      5. Successfully held an Associate Minister credential for a period of one year, or provide Letter of Good Standing from a sister Pentecostal organization showing having held Minister's Level License or above in that organization.
      6. Licensed Ministers are required to attend the annual Business Session of the Conferences. Those who are unable to attend shall submit an acceptable written explanation of their absence to the Conference Superintendent. Those failing to do so for two (2) consecutive conferences shall forfeit their Minister's License.
      7. Licensed Ministers are expected to attend Conference-sponsored activities.
      8. Licensed Ministers are expected to preach God's Word consistently with their calling and credentials.
      9. License Ministers must maintain ministerial activity to retain credentials.
      10. Tithing is the biblical basis for the financial guidelines of the church, (Genesis 14:20) "AND BLESSED BE THE MOST HIGH GOD, WHICH HATH DELIVERED THINE ENEMIES INTO THY HAND. AND HE GAVE HIM TITHES OF ALL." (Malachi 3:10-11) "BRING YE ALL THE TITHES INTO THE STOREHOUSE, THAT THERE MAY BE MEAT IN MINE HOUSE, AND PROVE ME NOW HEREWITH, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, IF I WILL NOT OPEN YOU THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN, AND POUR YOU OUT A BLESSING, THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE ROOM ENOUGH TO RECEIVE IT. AND I WILL REBUKE THE DEVOURER FOR YOUR SAKES, AND HE SHALL NOT DESTROY THE FRUITS OF YOUR GROUND; NEITHER SHALL YOU VINE CAST HER FRUIT BEFORE THE TIME IN THE FIELD, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS.", and (Matthew 23:23) "WOE UNTO YOU, SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, HYPOCRITES! FOR YE PAY TITHE OF MINT AND ANISE AND CUMMIN, AND HAVE OMITTED THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW, JUDGMENT, MERCY, AND FAITH: THESE OUGHT YE TO HAVE DONE, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE.", licensed Ministers are to serve as leaders and role models for the church in tithing. To do so, they must pay full tithe (10% percent of all income) into the conference storehouse.
      11. Application and fees apply.
  3. Ordained Minister
    The Ordained Minister is the highest clergy credential issued by Spirit Quest International.
    1. The General Board of Administration of Spirit Quest International shall have the authority to grant or revoke an Ordained Minister credential.
    2. The General Board of Administration of Spirit Quest International may grant an Ordained Minister credential under special circumstances.
    3. The presentation of an Ordained Minister credential will be conducted by one or more members of the General Board of Administration of Spirit Quest International.
    4. To be eligible for an Ordained Minister credential, a candidate must:
      1. Have been a Licensed Minister for at least two years. The General Board of Administration of Spirit Quest International may waive this requirement in exceptional circumstances with the approval of the Bishop.
      2. Approve and demonstrate character consistent with the Spirit Quest International Articles of Faith.
      3. Be committed and certain of a definite call to ministry and leadership according to Ephesians 4:11 "AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGEISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS;"
      4. Complete the prescribed study program.
      5. If not previously done, must demonstrate and understanding of the Spirit Quest International "Articles of Faith" and "Understanding of the Articles of Faith" by successfully completing a prescribed questionnaire.
      6. Be approved by a Conference-approved screening/interview committee after the committee has conducted a background check, or provide a Letter of Good Standing from a sister Pentecostal organization showing having held Certificate of Ordination in that organization.
      7. Application and fees apply.

Ordained Ministers - Authority and Duties
The following outlines the authority and duties of all Spirit Quest International Ordained Ministers:

  1. It shall be the duty of Ordained Ministers to participate in all phases of the church program - General, Conference, and Local.
  2. All Ordained Ministers are amendable to the District and District Executive Council.
  3. Ordained Ministers not serving as officials or Senior Pastors should use their spiritual gifts and ministries to help build the church.
  4. Ordained Ministers are required to attend all annual Conferences. Those who are unable to attend shall submit an acceptable written explanation of their absence to the Regional District Superintendent. Those failing to do so for two (2) consecutive conferences shall forfeit their Certificate of Ordination.
  5. Ordained Ministers are expected to attend District-sponsored activities.
  6. Ordained Ministers are expected to preach God's Word consistently with their calling and credentials.
  7. Ordained Ministers must maintain ministerial activity to retain their credentials.
  8. Tithing is the biblical basis for the financial guidelines of the church (Genesis 14:20) "AND BLESSED BE THE MOST HIGH GOD, WHICH HATH DELIVERED THINE ENEMIES INTO THEY HAND. AND HE GAVE HIM TITHES OF ALL." (Malachi 3:10-11) "BRING YE ALL THE TITHES INTO THE STOREHOUSE, THAT THERE MAY BE MEAT IN MINE HOUSE, AND PROVE ME NOT HEREWITH, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, IF I WILL NOT OPEN YOU THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN, AND POUR YOU OUT A BLESSING, THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE ROOM ENOUGH TO RECEIVE IT. AND I WILL REBUKE THE DEVOURER FOR YOUR SAKES, AND HE SHALL NOT DESTROY THE FRUITS OF YOUR GROUND; NEITHER SHALL YOUR VINE CAST HER FRUIT BEFORE THE TIME IN THE FIELD. SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS.", and (Matthew 23:23) "WOE UNTO YOU, SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, HYPOCRITES! FOR YE PAY TITHE OF MINT AND ANISE AND CUMMIN, AND HAVE OMITTED THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW, JUDGMENT, MERCY, AND FAITH: THESE OUGHT YE TO HAVE DONE, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE.", Ordained Ministers are to serve as leaders and role models for the church in tithing. To do so, Ordained Ministers must pay full tithe (10% percent of all income) into the storehouse. This includes retired Ordained Ministers.
  9. Ordained Ministers who do not tithe shall be dealt with as follows:
    1. If an Ordained Minister has not reported and given the tithe for three (3) months, he/she shall be required to meet with the District Board of Administration.
    2. In the event he/she does not meet with the District Board of Administration when requested, or does not make satisfactory amends, he/she shall forfeit his/her credentials.
  10. Appropriate ministerial ethics and courtesy shall be observed when an Ordained Minister is invited to perform ministry in another pastor's church.
  11. Ordained Ministers, other than Senior Pastors, are not to become involved in the official business of the local church. When Ordained Ministers participate in the ministries of the local church, participation shall be in full cooperation with the Senior Pastor, and they shall be amenable to the Senior Pastor.
  12. Ordained Ministers may conduct marriage ceremonies in accordance with the teaching of the Scriptures and State Laws.

Multiple Religious Denomination Credentials
Ministers holding credentials with Spirit Quest International at any level - Associate, Licensed, or Ordained - may not hold credentials in any other religious denomination. Failure to adhere to this requirement will result in forfeiture of the Spirit Quest International credentials.

Licenses Previously Issued
Spirit Quest International recognizes all current licenses previously issued from 1995 to May, 2013, - Mission Workers License, Ministerial License, Certificate of Ordination, and Exhorter's License - as described below:

  1. Mission Workers License
    1. Spirit Quest International will continue to recognize and honor the Mission Workers License originally given, 1995 to June 1, 2013.
    2. Those currently holding a Mission Workers License will continued to receive a Card with that designation albeit no future "Mission Workers" license will be issued by Spirit Quest International. That level of recognition will be heretofore the responsibility of the individual church.
  2. Ministerial License
    1. Spirit Quest International will continue to recognize and honor the Ministerial License originally given, albeit that Level 2 license has been changed with the adoption of this Manual to a Level 2 "Licensed Minister".
    2. All those currently holding Ministerial License will be issued a new "Card" at the beginning of 2015, with the designated title of the Level 2 credential, "Licensed Minister".
  3. Certificate of Ordination
    1. Spirit Quest International will continue to recognize and honor the Certificate of Ordination originally given, albeit that Level 3 license has been changed with the adoption of this Manual to a Level 3 "Ordained Minister".
    2. All those currently holding Certificate of Ordination will be issued a new "Card" at the beginning of 2015, with the designated title of the Level 3 credential, "Ordained Minister".
  4. Exhorters License
    1. Spirit Quest International will continue to recognize and honor the Exhorter's License originally given, albeit that license has been discontinued.
    2. No "Card" will be issued with the designation "Exhorter's License" in the future.
    3. All those currently holding Exhorter's License, are eligible to obtain a level 1 Associate Minister credential upon completing of the following:
      1. Requesting a copy of the Spirit Quest International "Articles of Faith" and "Understanding the Articles of Faith" packet - pages 10 through 23 of this Manual - from the offices of Spirit Quest International.
      2. Read and demonstration an understanding of the material in the packet by successfully completing a questionnaire.
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