PURPOSE & BENEFITS

• A ministerial credential provides recognition across the Fellowship for personal, professional, ministerial, and spiritual accomplishment.

• A ministerial credential opens opportunities of ministry in the PAOC fellowship and beyond. It is an essential key for acceptance in various pastoral, missional, administrative, teaching, chaplaincy, and other ministries.

• A ministerial credential may qualify the minister to meet legal requirements for certain functions of ministry such as weddings, and serving on certain community, provincial, and federal boards, or agencies, etc.

• A ministerial credential may result in recognition from the Canadian Revenue Agency of those qualified to receive the Clergy Housing Allowance deduction.

VOLUNTARY COOPERATION

Credentials are held through the principle of voluntary cooperation. By “voluntary” it is meant that, upon learning the principles, doctrines, and practice of PAOC and by seeing the benefits one could derive from being associated with such an organization, a person, of his/her own free choice, decides to become a member, thus subscribing to all that for which the organization stands.

By “cooperation” it is meant that to the best of his/her ability, one will comply with all decisions setting forth and defining duties and responsibilities incumbent upon members of the organization, and will respect the will of the majority, expressed through democratic processes, as long as he/she remains a member.

Hence “voluntary cooperation” means that one, of his/her own free will, will decide to become a cooperating member of PAOC, this cooperation being obligatory and not optional.

The following documents provide the belief, governance and practice standards required for holding a PAOC Credential:

• Statement of Essential Truths

• General Constitution & By-laws

• District Constitution and By-Laws

• Local Church Constitution

• PAOC Ministerial Code of Ethics

APPLY FOR CREDENTIALS

Credentials are provided through the PAOC International body and are managed by each District of the PAOC that an individual ministers in. Applicants do not require a current ministry position to apply for credentials, however credentials will only become active if the application is approved and a qualifying ministry appointment is received within two years of the approval date. Credentials are issued under the following categories:

• Ordained

• Licensed Minister

• Recognition of Ministry

• Ministry Related

sTEP 1: eXPRESSION OF INTEREST

All applicants for an initial ministry credential in the ABNWT District must first meet with the District Clergy Credentials Specialist for a pre-application consultation. At this meeting, you will receive more information about credentials and the ABNWT District process for applying for a PAOC credential. Please email credential@abnwt.com to request and schedule this meeting, which may be held in person or virtually over Zoom.

sTEP 2: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORMS

If you’ve already had a meeting to express your interest in applying for credentials, please click through to access and download the Credential Documents.

sTEP 3: COMPLETE AN APPLICATION INTERVIEW

Once your credential application paperwork has been received, you will work with our office to schedule an application interview (depending on where a person lives, we do both in-person and virtual over zoom).

ANNUAL RENEWAL

The deadline for Annual Credential Renewal is June 30. Online renewals can be completed through the PAOC website.  If you require a renewal form or have questions regarding the processing of your Credential Renewal, please contact 905-542-7400 Ext 3221.

Credential holders will need to pay the annual credential fee and are advised to plan their finances accordingly.  If you are not currently in ministry, you must first inactivate your credential (this reduces the fee by 50%) by contacting the ABNWT District and then you may request further assistance if required.

cHANGE REQUESTS

INACTIVATE YOUR CREDENTIALS

If you are not currently in ministry but wish to retain your credential, you may request to inactivate your credential by sending a request in writing (by mail or email). You may remain on the inactive list for a maximum of two years, at which time you will need to either be in a qualifying ministry position and reactivate your credential or resign your credential. (If you have more than 15 years of continuous active credentialed ministry you may remain on the inactive list indefinitely.) All inactive credential holders must complete the annual renewal form and submit the appropriate fee, which is currently 50% of the active credential renewal fee.

rEACTIVATE YOUR CREDENTIALS

If your credential is currently inactive and you have returned to a qualifying ministry position, you may reactivate your credential through a written request and by submitting the Ministry Appointment form to credential@abnwt.com.

REINSTATE YOUR CREDENTIALS

If your Credential was formerly resigned in good standing or it was not renewed, and you are in a qualifying ministry appointment, please contact credential@abnwt.com for the process to reinstate your former PAOC Credential.

RECLASSIFY YOUR CREDENTIALS

To qualify for Ordination, you must hold a Licensed Minister Credential with the PAOC and be in active, continuous full-time ministry for a minimum of two years. It is a Constitutional requirement that you also complete the pre-ordination training, which is held annually by the ABNWT District Office.  For further information on the Ordination process or to find out if you qualify, please contact credential@abnwt.com.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any further questions about the process, please feel free to contact the District Office.