LICENSING
Licensing serves as a time of testing and even training. Licensing allows a person to do everything an ordained individual
can do. However, if that person, after several years of service, decides to drop out of the chaplaincy nothing is lost. In
this case he no longer has the title when he stops doing the function.
Licensing grants "positional opportunity".It is during this time that we, as leaders, can observe a developing chaplain
and deal with things like criticism and cynicism. We can observe this leader when he is under fire in times of conflict and
crises. We can watch him work under another man's authority.
Licensing is not transferable and is valid only while working under the oversight of the licensing senior
chaplain. His credentials would no longer exist if he moved to another area.
This provides a new chaplain with a year to year certificate that legally allows him to do all the functions,i.e. marry,
bury, and lead in the church with authority. Man bestowed a license as a point of consecrating him for the function
of a Chaplain. To receive this position this person must meet all the qualifications. This must be renewed annually.
ORDINATION (still under construction)
Ordination on the other hand is a life calling. This credential is recognized in other churhes and across the regions.
Ordination is a call to the full time priesthood and requires a commitment that has been proven by a long season of service
and blessing of the church. Ordination is the highest honor that we can bestow and must be reserved and not casually given
away. We ordain only because we are assured that God has sanctified and we acknowledge this.
COMMISSIONING
Commissioning is for highlevel leaders who need to operate as chaplains for short-term specific tasks. For example
, we sometimes commission a chaplain for jail ministry. We do this informally so that this person can carry the necessary
certificate to gain entry for visitation privileges at the local prison or jail. Sometimes we commission missionaries for
seasons of time as needed to serve in the mission field. This gives us the authority to allow people to function as chaplains
for short-term responsibilities when we are not ready to license them as full-time chaplains.
