House of Bishops

The House of Bishops is an international Bishopric College certification Board. This house is responsible for ensuring that qualifications and protocols are met for a minister who seeks Ordination, Licensing, and Elevation, etc. The council will aid each candidate with academic, local church, and community requirements that are necessary to receive the desired office of service.

The House will provide oral and written exams that will confirm the qualifications of each candidate.
Specific books are required to help enhance the mental and spiritual awareness of each candidate.

The House will approve only those candidates who have proven (i.e., oral exam, written exam, etc.)that they are capable of defending the faith.

The House will consist of representatives from each registered Church. The regional Bishop or chairman of the House will select one or three representatives(Overseer and/or Elders) who will serve on the Board of the House of Bishops. Each representative will also receive detailed information concerning his or her responsibilities as an Examiner for the College.

           THE CHURCH REPRESENTATIVE WILL:

1. Aid in Examinations.
2. Serve as mediator between the Board and the Church. New information and requirements for credentials will be relayed to the Church by the representative.
3. Confirm that all requirements are met before the candidate applies for the written exams.
4. Work closely with the overseer and Bishop of their church concerning issues that relate to the House.

HOW TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR THE BISHOPRIC OFFICE

• Complete an application for the Bishopric.
• Submit a letter of recommendation from your presiding Bishop.
• Proof of Ministerial Licence.
• Proof of Ordination as an Elder.
• Ministerial Biography.
• Academic Degrees.
• Supporting Letter from your spouse.
• A personal letter stating why you believe you are qualified to be consecrated as a Bishop, and explaining what service you will bring to the church of Christ.
• A background check will be conducted by the college.

LOCAL CHURCH AND NATIONAL CHURCH REQUIREMENTS FOR ORDINATION

• Candidate must be obedient, loyal, and faithful to the local Pastor and embrace the vision of the presiding Bishop.
• Candidate must be committed to assigned duties in their local church.
• Candidate must demonstrate commitment to the college and serve in some capacity when offered.
• Candidate is required to attend the ministerial Classes organized by the college.

DOMESTIC AND COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ORDINATION

1. Candidate must have a good report and be sober-minded at home, in the community, and at the place of employment.
2. Candidate must have at least three months of voluntary time in the areas of HELP ministries. The area of help may include nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, rehabilitation centres, homeless shelters, food banks, counseling, divorce supporters, and AIDS counselors.
   Other approved areas may include youth ministry, children’s ministry, ushers, sextons, tape ministry, choir, transportation, etc.

APPRENTICESHIP

1. A candidate is recommended to the House of Bishops by their local Pastors or Presiding Bishop of their Ministry.
2. The candidate should start the process of ordering Cleric attire for Ordination. The local Overseer of the church will have detailed knowledge of Protocol.

ACADEMIC GRADES OF MINISTRY

The candidate must complete the suggested number of years of service before matriculating to the next level of ministry.
The candidate who seeks Ordination must complete.

MINISTER

1. Aspirant Minister 1 year
2. Exhorter Minister 1-2 years
3. Licensed Minister 2-4 years
4. Ordained Elder

Academic Requirements

ASPIRANT MINISTER
Aspirant: This is the first “lay” grade level of ministry.

This person has acknowledged a call to the ministry and is under the tutorial supervision of their pastor or a designated mentoring Elder.The aspirant level of ministerial training consists of one year of theory in the ministry of servitude according to Scripture.

ATTIRE FOR ASPIRANT

1. Black Suit
2. Black tie
3. Black shoes
4. White shirt
5. Well groomed
6. Wedding ring
7. Black watch band with black face

EXHORTERS

Exhorters are ministers who have completed the aspirant grade level. This is the upper lay grade level of ministry, and a local letter of intention is all that is issued for this level.

These ministers must continue in the ministry of helps while increasing their understanding of scriptures and their proper application.

At this level, the candidate receives oratory training and practice in preaching under the supervision of the pastor or designated Elder. Because the exhorter is a novice in ministry, outside speaking engagements and visiting must be limited and severely restricted.

ATTIRE FOR EXHORTERS

1. Clergy Vests
2. Minister Tab Collar
3. White Shirt
4. Black Pants and Shoes

THE LICENSED MINISTER

The Licensed Minister is the first level of credentialed ministry and is one who has successfully completed at least two years in the lay division as both an aspirant and an exhorter.
Licensed ministers are required to maintain a licence for two years before candidacy for Ordination. The licensed minister must have a theological understanding of the scriptures through systematic biblical studies or through an Accredited school of Theology or Bible college.

1. Licensed Minister must enter an apprenticeship with a senior elder of the house of Bishops or with their Pastor before proceeding to the level of ordained Minister (Elder)
2. The minister must have a clear Theological understanding of the sacraments of the church and must have experience in the administration thereof (Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, etc.)
3. The minister should be aware of their own individual gifts and work to perfect them.

ORDAINED ELDERS

Academic Requirements

Ordained Elders: these have completed all of the prep requisites for Ordination. Their pastor (s) and overseer (s) must recommend them. They must meet the Biblical qualifications of an “Elder.”

Students who have completed seminary/college training (graduate degree i.e Masters of Divinity degrees, Doctor of Ministry, Master’s of Professional Studies, Master’s of Arts, etc) will be credited for their formal education. They can be awarded a maximum of two credit years. This privilege can only be awarded based on the Bishop’s recommendation.
Bishops also have the authority to provide a credit of one year for non-degreed students who have proven to be exceptional. Each candidate must participate yearly in ministerial education courses -local or abroad.

COLLARS AND CASES

Collars symbolize the iron band protecting the Anointed from decapitation. Enemy soldiers of the cross often attempted to behead the Anointed ones for preaching the Gospel.

You must be willing to offer your neck for the Gospel of Christ.

EPISCOPAL RING

1. The ring is symbolic of Sonship collegiality
2. Joseph was given a similar ring, symbolic of authority and sonship to the throne.

DEACONS

The office of the Deacon is an Ordained appointment and is considered a vital role in Communion and service of the sacraments.

Two Grades Of Deacons

1. Permanent Deacon
2. Transitional Deacon

THE PRELATE ORDER

1. Presiding Bishop
2. The Provincial Diocesan Bishop
3. The Coadjutor Bishop
4. The Auxiliary Bishop
5. The Suffragan Bishop
6. The Overseer