Credentialing
The Be In Christ Church of Canada requires all pastoral staff to be credentialed by the denomination. The credentialing process ensures theological alignment between you and the congregation you will serve or the parachurch ministry where you represent the BIC.
There are two levels of credentialing with the Be In Christ Church of Canada. The starting point for pastors new to ministry, or those without theological education, is the ‘Licensed’ level. ‘Licensed’ level credentials are given to assure the local church that an individual has theological alignment with BIC and to allow for the person to be identified as a ‘Pastor’ at their local church. For ‘Ordained’ level to be obtained, a degree in theological studies, or other equivalents, is required. Typically, for a person to be in a full-time teaching role, ‘Ordained’ status would be expected.
Todd Lester
Credentialing Overseer
Credentialing Process
It is important to note that in the BIC credentialing is connected to the placement of an individual in a pastoral position. As you begin the process towards a pastoral position within the Be In Christ Church of Canada, the material below is provided to help prepare you for the process of credentialing. If you have any questions during the process that are not addressed on this webpage, please contact your Team Leader for direction.
If you are new to the denomination, this process will operate concurrently with the local church hiring process. What is described below are the parts of the process related to credentialing. The list below does not represent steps that need to be completed in a specific order. Your Team Leader will guide you through the process to ensure all parts are completed.
Preparatory Reading
We believe that the BIC has an important and unique vision of Jesus that has been lost by many other denominations. To better understand the unique theology, culture and polity of the BIC, please take the time to read through The Pastoral Way website as well as our Be In Christ website. Of particular note, read the theology page on Pastoral Way. The theology page has many resources that will provide you with information about the Be In Christ including our theological, historical and cultural identity as a denomination. Make use of the resources on the theology page to ensure you understand and are prepared for your credentialing process and your ministry placement.
Team Leader Interview
Below are the Team Leaders to guide you through the credentialing process. Your Team Leader will meet with you in-person or via Zoom as the first step in the credentialing process.
Credentialing Documents
Once your Team Leader has affirmed your alignment with BIC, your Team Leader will direct you to the documents to be completed as the next step in the process. These documents are a very important part in the process and you should take the necessary time to thoughtfully complete them.
Please complete the online forms listed below and notify your Team Leader once they are complete. Your Team Leader will review them and pass them on to the Credentialing Overseer.
The forms below are part of a software system that we use for many purposes so create a login ID and save the information securely as you will be logging into this system often as a BIC pastor.
If instructed by your Team Leader please fill in the Church Affinity Form. The form is intended to be presented to a church board that is contemplating hiring you. Pastors that already have an assignment do not need to fill out the Church Affinity form.
Credentialing Interview
Once the Credentialing Overseer has reviewed your credentialing documents, they will arrange to meet with you via Zoom for review and discussion.
Issuing of Credentials
You will be issued a ministerial ‘License’ based on the completion of the parts described above, the recommendation from your Team Leader and approval by the Credentialing Overseer.
As mentioned at the top of this page, there are two levels of credentials: ‘Licensed’ and ‘Ordained.’ If you receive Licensed level and desire to be Ordained, you will need to provide documentation as proof of the appropriate level of theological education based on your role. For Senior Pastors and those who teach regularly, we strongly recommend that you possess as minimum a bachelor’s degree in theological, biblical or pastoral studies. If you do not have a degree, or plan to serve in an associate role, Todd Lester will discuss with you any ongoing educational requirements appropriate to your role.
Background Check
You will need to provide the BIC with an original and up-to-date police background check. This cannot be a photocopy or shared document. We will save the background check in our BIC database records and it will not be returned to you.
Digital Photo
We will need a digital photo of you that includes only you, no sports logos or spouses included please. Take the photo against a monochrome background and, unlike a passport, we really want you to smile.
New Pastors Orientation
Within the first year of service, we require all new pastors to attend two orientation retreats. The orientation events will acclimatize you to the BIC pastoral community by focusing on our history, theological streams, culture, core values, and pastoral expectations. The events happen in the fall and winter seasons and each retreat is one-and-a-half days long and held at a hotel in St. Jacobs, Ontario.
Credentialing Status
There are four statuses for a credentialed person in the Be In Christ Church of Canada. Your status will be determined by the Credentialing Overseer. Most BIC pastors are ‘Assigned’ or ‘Special’. Emeritus is granted to lifelong pastors by the Credentialing Overseer.
Please note that credentials are linked to a ministry assignment. When a ministry assignment has been completed, your credentials will be removed until a new ministry assignment is obtained. Upon termination of a role, a grace period of 90 days is provided to allow for transition to another church or denomination.
A description of each credentialing status is below with expectations for maintaining that status.
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AssignedAn individual serving as a pastor in a local Be In Christ congregation. To retain these credentials you must continue to hold your ministry position, attend all LEAD events, Annual General Meeting and your regional cluster group.
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Special AssignedAn individual serving in a pastoral role but not within the local congregation (e.g., hospital care, elder care, chaplaincy). To retain your credentials you must attend at least one event per year (LEAD, AGM, Ministry Leaders Retreat), submit a yearly report sent to you from the BIC office and actively attend a BIC church where possible. If you are not actively involved in a BIC Church, then a $400 fee will be required to retain your credentials.
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EmeritusAn individual who has held credentials with the BIC for 25 years or more and is no longer serving in a pastoral role. To maintain this status the individual must attend a BIC church unless there are exceptional circumstances that make it impossible.
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SuspendedAn individual whose credentials are under a review process due to ethical, moral, criminal, theological or behavioural concerns. Upon completion of a review, the next steps will be discussed with the credential holder.
Credentialing Discipline
Be In Christ Church of Canada takes allegations of clergy sexual misconduct seriously. Clergy who participate in sexual misconduct will be subject to discipline and possible revocation of their ministry credentials. Allegations of sexual misconduct made against a person credentialed by BIC Canada will be handled according to our Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy.