Back to Qualifications and Certification

INTRODUCTION

1. Recognizing that the Bible commands ministers of the gospel to "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," (the apostle Paul to Timothy, 2 Timothy 2:15), the 1997 General Conference reaffirmed that: "All licensed and ordained ministers must participate annually in a continuing education program provided and approved by the General Conference (2 Timothy 2:15). Any minister failing to meet this requirement will forfeit his credentials. This excludes retired ministers not in active ministry."
2. Although established in eternal truths, Christian ministers face a rapidly changing world. However, God has given us opportunity to keep abreast of change and knowledge to effectively minister in our rapidly changing environment. We have observed that effectiveness is doing the right thing; efficiency is doing the thing right. The Holy Spirit calls all ministers of the gospel to holy effectiveness and anointed efficiency.
3. The Continuing Education Program is designed for all licensed ministers in ODB, including Ministers of Church Education, Ministers of Music, and Missionaries. ODB, ministers will gain knowledge, competency, and the confidence of our constituency, especially those professionals who are already involved in mandatory continuing education, as we participate in a professional development program.
4. ODB, is an in-service training track designed for on-going professional development. It is not designed for college/graduate school academic credit.
5. Any licensed minister actively pursuing ordination as a full time student in Bible College, or through the Conference Ministerial Program will satisfy the Continuing Education Unit requirements for the period of time involved in said studies.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT (ODB)

1. A Continuing Education Unit (ODB) is one (1) continuing education hour of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instructors.
2. Over a two year period (biennial) a total of 48 continuing education hours, shall be completed by all ODB, credentialed ministers.
3. For reading assignments the General Superintendent’s Office and the Conference Superintendent’s Office will issue suggested readings.

ISSUANCE OF ODB’s CERTIFICATION

1. The sponsoring church agency will grant the designated ODB credits per event. These agencies include ODB, Ministries Resource Development Center sponsored events, Conference sponsored events and ODB, college sponsored events.
2. The sponsoring agency will provide the ODB forms for that event.
3. The individual minister attending the event is responsible for securing, having validated by the sponsoring agency, and forwarding to the Conference office the ODB form along with his/her monthly ministerial report form.
4. The Conference office will maintain accurate records for each minister. Ministers having more than 48 credits may not carry them over to the next two-year cycle. The continuing education year is the calendar year of two years beginning in January. For newly licensed ministers or ministers transferred into or reinstated into a conference, the ODB requirement starts at the beginning of the calendar year after becoming a member of the conference.

CONTINUING EDUCATION OUTSIDE ODB,

1. Seventy-five percent (75%) of annual credits (24) must be completed at ODB, sponsored events/readings.
2. Any ODB outside ODB, agencies must have approval of the Conference Superintendent or his/her appointee and a statement (or form) of completion must be presented to the conference office to be included in the minister’s file.

COSTS

The cost per credit is $12  if new courses and updates are required by the General Conference and are available on CD-ROM. Church agencies may charge a registration fee for their sponsored events.

INTEGRITY OF THE PROGRAM

1. The ministerial application for will include a statement of commitment to participate in the ODB program.
2. A goal of the ODB program is movement toward informing the general public that ODB certified ministers meet minimum standards for re-certification of credentials.