The applicant for ordination as bishop must meet the Biblical requirements as set forth in I Timothy 3:1-7.

An applicant for ordination as bishop may be ordained when he is twenty-five (25) years of age, provided he has had at least eight (8) years of active ministry, or he has three (3) years of active ministry accompanied by a ministry-related degree or its equivalency from an accredited institution or one certified by the Church of God Division of Education, or when he is thirty (30) years of age, provided he has had at least five (5) years of active ministry, if he is otherwise qualified. In those cases in which a ministerial applicant has had verifiable active ministerial experience prior to receiving credentials, exceptions to the age qualifications can be made upon recommendation by the ministerial applicant’s administrative bishop and with the approval of the Executive Council (72nd A.,2008; 76th A.,2016, pp.183-84).

For additional information, see the most current edition of the Minutes of the International General Assembly of the Church of God.

A minister who meets the above qualifications may email the Missouri Church of God Credentialing Department to obtain an Ordained Bishop Application. Along with the application, a Local Church Endorsement form will be required as well as a background check fee of $40.

There will be an additional form required for any Church of God minister with a previous marital issue wishing to advance in rank to Ordained Bishop whose marital status has not changed since he was last approved to receive or retain credentials in the Church of God. Approval of this form will be required from the International Executive Council prior to the applicant testing for the Ordained Bishop credential.