What is the ROM Credential?
ROM stands for the Recognition of Ministry credential offered by The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. There are two basic requirements in order to be eligible for this credential.
First, you must complete the prescribed courses of study (see *Note).
Second, you must be actively serving in ministry for at least 20 hours per week under official appointment in one of the following areas:
- 1. Pastoral staff of a local church of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, or
- 2. Faculty or leadership appointment by the board or administrative committee of a Bible college or seminary of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, or
- 3. Exclusive, management level appointment by the district executive; or
- 4. Exclusive, management level appointment at the International Office; or
- 5. Chaplaincy appointment or itinerant ministry approved by the district executive; or
- 6. Exclusive, management level ministry position with a district approved organization.
Those holding this credential have full voting privileges in their respective District Conferences and may also vote at General Conference providing they are serving as a Senior Pastor and have done so for at least two years prior to the conference.
For more details see:
10.2.10RECOGNITION OF MINISTRY CREDENTIAL
10.2.10.1QUALIFICATION FOR RECOGNITION OF MINISTRY CREDENTIAL
10.2.10.1.1MINISTRY PREPARATION REQUIREMENT - Recognition of Ministry Credential may be granted to persons who have completed the required credentialing courses from the ministerial course of studies which have been approved by the General Executive.
10.2.10.1.2MINISTRY APPOINTMENT - The granting of this credential shall be conditional upon the applicant’s receiving an appointment in ministry as follows:
10.2.10.1.2.1appointment in accordance with local church policy or congregational election to the pastoral staff of a local church of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada; or
10.2.10.1.2.2faculty or leadership appointment by the board or administrative committee of a Bible college or seminary of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, or
10.2.10.1.2.3exclusive, management level appointment by the district executive; or
10.2.10.1.2.4exclusive, management level appointment at the International Office; or
10.2.10.1.2.5chaplaincy appointment or itinerant ministry approved by the district executive; or
10.2.10.1.2.6appointment in accordance with the International Missions Department or Mission Canada policy as a Global or Mission Canada worker; or
10.2.10.1.2.7other ministerial appointments as approved by the district executive.
10.2.10.1.3TIME REQUIREMENT - The applicant shall be engaged in a ministry appointment, responsible for pastoral, evangelistic, church administrative, or related spiritual ministries, which involves a minimum of 20 hours of active ministry responsibility per week.
10.2.10.2EXCEPTIONS
10.2.10.2.1Persons who hold the Ministry Related Credential for five or more years of proven pastoral ministry may, upon an appropriate application to and approval by the district executive, be granted the Recognition of Ministry Credential. This exception shall be granted only when the applicant has completed the required courses approved by the Superintendents Committee and has some other pertinent professional qualification. This credential exception shall be granted only to those 30 years of age or older.
10.2.10.2.2This credential may also be granted to a minister of proven character from an aboriginal, cultural or minority language group, who gives indication of leadership qualities and the call of God, who is active in the ministry and has not been able to complete the required academic program leading to a credential because of language deficiency and the absence of an alternative academic program available in the language of the applicant.
10.2.10.2.3Whereas there may be a legitimate need to consider an exception from qualification for this credential, such exception may be granted only by the Superintendents Committee upon application from the district or branch conference executive.
10.2.10.2.4When a credential holder who does not meet the academic qualifications required for the Recognition of Ministry credential holds the position of a Senior Pastor, the district shall request an exemption to reclassify the credential holder to the Recognition of Ministry credential. This shall be effective for the length of time the credential holder fills the ministry position of a Senior Pastor.
The credential holder shall be reclassified to Ministry Related when they cease to hold the position of Senior Pastor for which the exemption was granted.
10.2.10.3CONFERENCE PRIVILEGES - Recognition of Ministry credential holders shall be entitled to district conference privileges. Recognition of Ministry credential holders may be entitled to General Conference privileges as outlined in Article 7.1.
Source: PAOC BY-LAW 10.
*Note:
The Global University Certificate in Bible and Theology (40 credits) and the Berean Ministerial Studies meet all the criteria for the ROM credential.