INTERFAITH GUILD FOR EXTRA-COMMUNAL PROFESSIONAL CLERGY

The Product

Credentials will be issued to eligible candidates, from the Interfaith Guild for Extra-Communal Professional Clergy, verifying that the candidate has been screened and determined to be worthy of standing as an ordained minister (or the equivalent by some other title or designation).

Credentials will come in the form of a laminated credit card sized ID card, an 8.5 x 11 inch certificate suitable for framing, and a listing in our online directory of professional ordained clergy in good standing.

Benefits and Privileges

Ordained clergy with IGEPC standing may legally perform marriage ceremonies, baptisms, burials, and/or officiate at any and all other religious rituals in secular or non-tradtional religious settings and/or in any organized religious setting in which outside clergy are eligible to serve. Our members in good standing may also qualify to serve as chaplains in institutions and settings outside of organized religion.

Designations Available

Ordination: For those who qualify but have not yet been ordained, the Guild will ordain and grant standing and endorsement.(see standing and endorsement below)

Standing: For those who were once ordained the Guild will grant standing. Standing designates that we have verified that the minister was ordained by a legitimate ordaining body in the past and was not stripped of orders by the ordaining body for reasons of misconduct or incompetence.  

Standing with Endorsement: For those who were once ordained and seek a more rigorous process of screening, we offer standing with endorsement.

Endorsement: A rigorous process of re-confirming the applicant's fitness for ministry.

The Criteria

Standing: the following criteria must be satisfied:

• Candidates were ordained by an established, recognized faith community, denomination, diocese, or Communion as a result of completing a process of graduate level professional educationand spirtual, ethical, and personal scrutiny.

Ordination:

• Candidates who have not previously been ordained or served in professional ministry must have completed a M.Div. (Master's of Divinity) or D.Min (Doctor of Ministry) degree from an accredited university or seminary, including supervised field education, hold one other professional designation such as CPE, a counseling license or certificate, etc. and complete the scrutiny listed opposite.
  
• Candidates have served at least five years in a full-time chaplaincy or pastoral ministerial role with distinction. This will be considered the equivalent of the above referenced education without work experience. Candidates must also complete the scrutiny listed opposite.

Scrutiny for Candidates un-ordained candidates seeking ordination and ordained candidates seeking endorsement.

• Candidates must also clear a criminal and child protection background check.

• Candidates must provide letters of reference from two ordained clergy, two former ministry clients, and one personal reference.

• Candidates must be interviewed by a representative of the Guild, and if recommended by the interviewer, submit to psychological testing.

• Candidates must submit a personal paper that summarizes their current theology, spiritual practices, and sense of mission as a professional cleric.