GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION

for

ABCOM COMMISSIONING

APPENDIX B - (As adopted at the Annual Meeting of ABCOM, Caribou, Maine - October 23, 2008)

GUIDELINES:

1. Educational Standards for ABCOM Commissioning

   1. The educational standard for ABCOM Commissioning is related to the ABCOM Institute for Ministry (AIM) certificate program or its equivalent. Equivalencies shall be determined by the Committee on the Ministry.

   2. To receive ABCOM Commissioning, the candidate must have completed the following 10 courses:

      Mentoring Practice 1	Mentoring Practice 2
      Ministerial Ethics	New Testament Survey
      American Baptist History and Polity	Church History
      Basic Christian Theology	Preaching
      Old Testament Survey	The Practice of Ministry/ Pastoral Care

   3. To receive a renewal for ABCOM Commission, the candidate must continue to maintain a relationship with a mentor approved by the Committee on the Ministry and have completed at least four additional courses, focused on their particular ministry call from God.

   4. Once a certificate of completion has been granted by AIM or its equivalent (determined by the Committee on the Ministry), renewals of Commission are based on continuing education.

2. Candidate must be prepared to present to the ABCOM Committee on the Ministry:

   1. A currently valid local church license with evidence of a least one full year of satisfactory ministry approved by the licensing church.

   2. Satisfaction of the Educational Requirements for ABCOM Commissioning (See above);

   3. Reasons for seeking an ABCOM Commissioning to Ministry;

   4. A paper of 6 to 8 typed pages detailing the candidate's conversion and call to ministry, and views on:

      God	Salvation	Jesus Christ
      Eschatology	Holy Spirit	The purpose, place and mission of the church in today's society
      The Bible and its use	The role of laity	Baptism
      The role of the minister	The Lord's Supper	Your commitment to American Baptist Churches
      The human condition	Your relations to other pastors and churches

   5. A signed copy of the current Ministers Council Covenant and Code of Ethics (Appendix G)

   6. A completed and signed copy of the Self-Disclosure and Release Form (Appendix H)  

   7. References from three persons, including one from the candidate's mentor; mentors must be approved by the AIM Mentoring Committee and fulfill the requirements of the Mentoring Practice Program. (Appendix B.1)

3. In each fifth year after commissioning or renewal of commissioning, the candidate shall present to the Committee on the Ministry an "Application for Renewal," (Appendix B.2) which will detail the candidate's experience in continuing education and practice of ministry.

4. Receiving and maintaining an ABCOM Commission requires continuing membership in an American Baptist church.

Appendix B. l

Standards for Mentors in the AIM mentored Practice Program
Approved Mentor must:

1. Be an ordained (or Commissioned) American Baptist professional church leader (active or retired) with full recognition by ABCOM

2. Have five (5) years pastoral or church experience.

3. Give evidence of continued personal and educational growth in the last five years

4. Must not also be serving as the mentee’s pastor

5. Be willing to abide by the Mentor Job Description

6. Agree to attend the Mentor Training opportunities as provided by AIM

7. Submit a signed copy of the ABCUSA Ministers Council/ABCOM “Covenant and Code of Ethics” and adhere to its standards, practicing discretion in creating an appropriate setting for the one-on-one meetings with the mentee.

Standards of Recognition

This document will give you the full Standards of Recognition as posted on the Minister council Web Site. Click Here for PDF