International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

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International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

• Credentialing Process

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Types of Foursquare Credentials

• International Foursquare Ordination
• International Foursquare License
• District Foursquare License
• District Foursquare Staff License

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Three Tracks to Foursquare Credentials

• Foursquare Colleges/Institutes
• District Licenses
• Transfer from a Sister Organization

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Current Foursquare Credentialing Process

• Apply
• Obtain Three Foursquare References
• Criminal Court Records Sex Offender Registry
  Background Check
• Complete Foursquare Heritage and Polity Course
• District License Committee Review
• District Supervisor/ICFG Board Approval

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International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

• New Credentialing Process

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Beginning April, 2004

• Apply
• Obtain Three Foursquare References
• Criminal Court Records Sex Offender Registry
  Background Check
• Complete Study Guides w/Coach
• Coach Recommends Applicant for Interview
• Meet with District Interview Team
• District License Committee Review
• District Supervisor/ICFG Board Approval

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How this process came to be

• 2000 and 2001 ICFG Cabinets requested a doctrine
  committee be formed on an ad hoc basis to
• Review and clarify Foursquare doctrines
• Particularly the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with
  speaking in tongues, and the security of the
  Believer.
• Formulate a means to ensure continuity of
  Foursquare doctrine among our licensed pastors.

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Doctrine Committee

• Members
• Jim Adams Steve Overman
• Jack Hayford Jim Scott
• Gary Matsdorf Steve Schell, Chairman

Regional Administrators

• Gary Craig
• Herb Schneidau
• Dan Ussery
• RAC Committee

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Goals

• Develop a process of preparation and interview
  for those seeking Foursquare credentials
• Inform and assess candidates in four essential
  areas
• Foursquare Doctrine
• Foursquare Heritage
• Foursquare Polity
• ICFG Ministries

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Scope and Sequence

• 28-30 Study Guides covering the four essential
  areas
• 3-6 pages each in length
• Use simple, everyday language so pastors without
  formal theological education can use (aim for a
  high school level vocabulary)
• Brief enough so they take no more than 10-1
  minutes to read each
• Can be used in a coaching session to start and
  direct the discussion
• A four hour interview reviewing the applicants
  knowledge and understanding of the various
  subjects.

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Scope and Sequence

• Study Guide Topics
• The Holy Scriptures
• The Eternal Godhead
• The Fall of Man
• The Plan of Redemption
• Salvation Through Grace
• Repentance and Acceptance
• The New Birth
• Daily Christian Life
• Water Baptism The Lords Supper
• The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

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Scope and Sequence

• Study Guide Topics (cont.)
• The Spirit-Filled Life
• The gifts Fruit of the Spirit
• Moderation
• Divine Healing
• The Second Coming of Christ
• Church Relationship
• Civil Government
• Judgment
• Heaven
• Hell

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Scope and Sequence

• Study Guide Topics (cont.)
• Evangelism
• Tithing Offerings
• Foursquare Heritage
• Foursquare Polity
• Foursquare Bylaws
• Handbook for the Operation of a Foursquare Church
• Foursquare Policies Procedures (i.e. Licensing,
  Property Transactions, etc.)
• ICFG Ministries (i.e. Foursquare Missions
  International, Christian Education, C.A.R.E.,
  Retirement, etc.)

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Implementation

• Local Church
• Mentoring relationship with Sr. Pastor/other
  licensed minister in church
• Bible Colleges/Institutes
• Ministry training class w/instructor as coach
• Learning groups w/coach
• One-on-one coaching by Foursquare licensed
  instructor
• Districts
• Coaching by Divisional Superintendents
• District appointed coaches

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Procedure

• Applicant requests license application package
• RAC distributes application package, study guides
  and resources
• District/Foursquare College/Institute assigns
  coach
• Applicant studies guides and interacts with coach
  on topics
• Coach recommends interview when applicant is
  sufficiently prepared
• District Interview Committee interviews applicant
• Committee recommends approval of applicant, or
  further study
• District License Committee reviews application
• Approved applicants receive credential upon being
  appointed to Foursquare ministry

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International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

• Credentialing Process