Church Letter of Recommendation for EFCA Credentialing

One of the requirements of the Evangelical Free Church of America in our credentialing process is to have a clear letter of recommendation from the local church of which the minister in question is serving or attending.  We firmly believe that the recognition of a minister's call to service begins in the local church.  In the EFCA we ask you affirm the Ministry Credential or Pastoral Ordination. Believing that the local church is best suited to recognize a person's character and call to ministry, we are looking for a recommendation that confidently affirms this call of God.

 

● Your recommendation should include a statement that this individual is a member in good standing of your church and that this person is engaged in full-time ministry (a minimum of 30 hours per week).

● Your recommendation should include a statement that this individual currently demonstrates the church leadership qualities found in the pastoral epistles of Titus and I Timothy and that your local church body affirms God's call on this individual's life for Christian vocational ministry and can recommend them with confidence to other churches in the EFCA family.

● Your recommendation should include a statement that to your understanding this individual's doctrinal beliefs and practices would fit into the boundaries established by the Statement of Faith of the EFCA and clear orthodox evangelical theology.

● Your recommendation should include a statement that to your understanding this person has demonstrated he will actively support the EFCA and will demonstrate the interdependent spirit desired in the EFCA.

● Your recommendation should include a statement that your leadership board is sufficiently aware of this person's ministry history and character to state they are not aware of any moral failure in this individual's past history that would, if revealed, bring dishonor to the local church being served or to the EFCA as a denomination.

● Your recommendation should include a statement that reflects the marriage status of the individual and (if married) their spouse. While a past divorce in either partner does not necessarily preclude credentialing , it is essential that the marriage status is known to the Board of Ministerial Standing so a proper review can be insured and a divorce exception be granted if it meets the policy of the EFCA.

 

A clear letter of recommendation is required to be sent to the Rocky Mountain District Office before we can set a date for this individual's oral credentialing examination. This letter should be signed by the Chairman of your primary leadership board and also undersigned by each member of this leadership board. Some might view this as a perfunctory role, but, believing in the importance of the local church and its authority, I ask you to take this responsibility very seriously. I wish to remind you that this letter of recommendation is of vital importance in the credentialing process. Your understanding of and confidence in this individual's call to ministry will be part of the initial basis upon which a credential is given. When a credential is eventually issued, the name of your church will be on the credential in addition to that of the EFCA. It will be a recommendation to all others that we have together affirmed this person's call to ministry as an approved EFCA pastor. If you have any questions about this required letter of recommendation, please contact me at your convenience by letter, phone or email.

 

Dr. Gregory Fell

Rocky Mountain District Superintendent

Gregoryfell@gmail.com     719-660-9001