THANK YOU

Your “Application for Ministerial Credentials” form has is submitted. 

Congratulations! You have just completed the Formal Application, which is a part of the second step in the Seven-Step Credential Pathway. We may assign some follow-up forms to you, depending on your applications. Please, keep an eye out for those in your email. 

Once we review your application and any follow-up forms submitted, we will email you instructions for your next step.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us at (937) 204-3321‬ or credentials@openbibleeast.org

THE SEVEN-STEP CREDENTIAL PATHWAY

STEP ONE: GETTING ACQUAINTED

• The start of the process is when a ministerial credential applicant submits a Getting Acquainted Form from the regional/national website.

• Regional leadership will review the submission and determine if the applicant can move forward in the process. A follow-up conversation may be needed to answer additional questions.

• Possible follow-up questions might include questions about previous marriages, doctrinal beliefs, or other general concerns.

STEP TWO: FORMAL APPLICATION

• If approved to move forward, regional leadership will send an application email with the credential application steps and a link to the Credential Minister Application Form.

• The applicant must complete this form in its entirety and submit the $85 application fee before it can be processed.

STEP THREE: REFERENCE & BACKGROUND CHECK

• Regional leadership will review the application and send reference emails to the corresponding references listed on the application (pastoral, employer, & individual).

• Educational Transcripts need to be submitted.

• A comprehensive background check will be required. The applicant must give permission for the background checks to be completed.

STEP FOUR: PERSONALITY PROFILE

• A Uniquely You Profiler ($18 cost) will be completed by the applicant, and the results need to be emailed to the region. A Uniquely You Profiler helps assess the personality and spiritual gifting of the applicant. This will be used to help find the right fit for ministry service.

STEP FIVE: NEW MINISTERS ORIENTATION

• Regional leadership will send a new minister orientation email to the applicant along with instructions on accessing the Acquire Course via Pathwright.com.

• New Minister Orientation Courses must be completed in order to advance in the process.

• Additional courses may be required, such as Hermeneutics and Homiletics, depending on the applicant’s educational background.

STEP SIX: DOCTRINAL ASSESSMENT

• The Doctrinal Assessment helps to assess the applicant's doctrinal stance to check for compatibility with Open Bible Churches.

• Regional leadership will send the doctrine examination email to the applicant.

• Regional leadership will send a separate email with the current password for that month.

• Regional leadership will score the exam.

STEP SEVEN: INTERVIEW

• Regional leadership will schedule an interview with a designated credentialing committee.

• The Credential Interview Committee will forward their recommendation to the Regional Board for approval.

WHAT’S NEXT

• Once approved, the National Office will inform the applicant of their credential, and provide welcome information, along with a recommended prescription for an upgrade.

• Regional leadership will assign the newly credentialed minister a mentor to help assist them in moving forward.

• A new minister’s certificate and a new credential card will be sent to the Regional Office. A date for public conferral with the new minister will be scheduled.

• It is requested that all credentialed ministers participate in Open Bible events to help stay connected with Open Bible and other Open Bible Ministers.