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New Member Endorsement Process

Are you interested in becoming a member of the FCA?

This page will help give you the resources you need to navigate the endorsement and registration process to become a new member into the FCA.

Becoming a New Member - This document summarizes the process of  Becoming a Minister of the FCA. The FCA Handbook should be carefully reviewed to get the entire information on endorsing, licensing and registration. Below are links to online forms and supporting documents to help in the process of becoming a credentialed new member.

Be sure to read over this document.

Checklist - This document helps you as you go through the process with your endorsing church to ensure you do not miss any details in the process.

The FCA is a governing body that credentials ministers through the local church endorsement. In order to be credentialed through the FCA, you must have an FCA Endorsing Church endorse and license you.

If you currently do not have an Endorsing Church, please check out our list of Endorsing Churches.

There is never a one size fits all for endorsement, but the general process includes:

  • Get to know your Endorsing Church and build a genuine ongoing relationship
  • Due diligence will be conducted by your Endorsing Church by interviewing/checking references
  • Endorsing Church will Educate you about the FCA through our Handbook, Constitution & Bylaws, annual conventions, and regional gatherings
  • Biblical Studies Documents - You should supply your Endorsing Church with copies of your Biblical Studies (copies of transcripts or other documents supporting you meet the studies requirements to be Licensed)
  • Commission - Once the above is completed, your endorsing church may commission you into ministry by having a commissioning service.*
  • Register - You will need to fill out the Application Form and submit Payment

*If you are transferring your License or Ordination from another organization, please be sure your Endorsing Church has a copy of it.

Endorsement | Documents + Forms

The first step in the process is to establish relationship. Your Endorsing Church should build a personal relationship with you along with help build a relationship between you and the FCA.  As a new FCA member, you should be intentional to build relationships with others in the FCA through our member website, regional gatherings and annual conventions.

You should be familiar with the following documents:

Due diligence and accountability are vital in endorsement. A relationship may exist, but it is important for your Endorsing Church to interview you. Your Endorsing Church will likely conduct an Interview and Yearly Check-Ins.

It is also your responsibility to maintain an ongoing relationship with your Endorsing Church. This includes connecting annually, at the least.

Ministers are endorsed by a church community, not an individual. A commissioning service is an opportunity to publicly recognize individuals who have demonstrated spiritual giftedness and church leadership. Their calling and competencies have been confirmed and they become credentialed as pastoral leaders in church-related ministries. This is a celebration of an official relationship between the minister and their EC.

The Commissioning Service should be administrated by the Endorsing Church and include the following:

  • A pastoral address to the congregation
  • Charge to the candidate
  • A public response from the candidate
  • Laying on of hands and prayer
  • Congregational celebration

The following forms should be filled out after the relationship has been established and due diligence has been conducted.

Registering as a Minister

There are 4 parts to registering a new minister.

  1. Minister Affirmation Form
  2. Copy of Signed Certificate + Copy of Biblical Studies Document
  3. Minister Application Form
  4. Payment* (calculated on application form)

Registering as a Ministry: Church or Parachurch

There are 3 parts to registering a new ministry.

  1. Ministry Affirmation Form
  2. Ministry Application Form
  3. Payment* (calculated on application form)

*Annual Membership Rates:
Minister $180, Spouse $120, Missionary $60, Retired $60
Church rate is 1% of Operating Budget; Minimum $225 and Maximum $3,000
Parachurch rate is 1% of Operating Budget; Minimum $225 and Maximum $1,500