If you believe you are being called to be a pastor through The Fellowship Tree, there are several paths that may lead you that way. Here are some things to consider if you are considering approaching us about this possiblity.
Personal Evaluation
First, we ask you do some personal evaluation in light of the Scriptures. It would be wise to review the requirments for church leaders in
I Timothy 3 and
Titus 1. If in that review, you find areas within that text that does not match up with your current situation, you will want to make the steps to submit those things to Christ and grow before becoming a leader. We would be thrilled to assist you and your family in that personal growth process.
Don't get us wrong, you don't need to be perfect to be a pastor but you do need to have a good foundation in your own and your family's life before other lives are counting on you. Again, we would be happy to assist you during this time if needed.
Application
If you feel confident after your self check, feel free to contact us. We would love to hear more from you about the vision God has put on your heart for the future, find out where you have been, and see if God is leading for there to be a match between us in such a way to move forward in partnership.
In this process, will talk to you and your spouse (if applicable) about your ministry, we will also consider the Scripture references above, look at vision match, and evaluate your current education and experience levels.
For those who have not had any pastoral education, we do have a pastoral training program avaiilable for branch church plants. This program can take 1-2 years and includes the participant to be part of a mentoring church.
For those who have previous training and experience, there will be an assessment on if an applicant would need further education or mentorship to be a branch church planter.
Becoming a pastor
Liscensed Pastor - Those completing the assessment, approved as a branch church planter, fulfilled all training and mentorship will be reviewed for liscensing. If approved, the applicant will be liscensed which will be recognized within the branch churches. This allows one to pastor a church and they can become liscensed by the state to officate weddings. A branch liscense is good for three years and then is reviewed to be continued, not renewed, or will move to the oridination process.
Ordained Pastor - Those who have met all the above requirments as well as have three or more years of pastoral experience will be eligable to be considered for ordination. If approved, it has the same benefits as the above but does not have an experation date for new review.
Revoking of Liscense or Ordination
One can have their liscense or ordination revoked by the leadership of The Fellowship Tree if one falls out of the Biblical requirments of a church leader, if they move away from the beliefs of The Fellowship Tree, or other areas of concern. If one is being reviewed to have their credentials revoked, they will be made aware of the concerns and have a chance to address the leadership in a grace based fashion before a decision is made.
If a pastor's credentials are revoked, their church would have the right to cease being a branch church. If the pastor is removed from the church and the church wishes to stay being a branch church, the leadership of The Fellowship Tree will work with them to suppor tthem during that transition.
Will other groups recognize your liscense or ordination if you move from The Fellowship Tree to another group or denomination?
Each network or denomination have their own guidelines and would make that determination.
