THANK YOU

Your “Getting Acquainted” form has been sent.

Thank you for expressing interest in credentialing. You should have received a confirmation email from us. Periodically, those emails end up in the spam folder. Be sure to add credentials@openbibleeast.org to your contacts.

You have just completed the first step in the Seven-Step Credential Pathway. Give us some time to review your form and one of our regional leaders will be reaching out to you soon.

In the meantime, check your email for the Pathway to Credentialing Guide.

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.