Calling and ministRY studies
(Exhorter/Minister of Music/ Minister of Christian Education)
ATTENTION - NEW FOR CAMS
The CAMS Orientation will take place on August 10, 2024. Prior to the Orientation, applicants for CAMS will be required to read the book Exploring the Declaration of Faith by Dr. French L. Arrington. The book can be ordered from Pathway Press at https://www.pathwaybookstore.com/item/exploring-the-declaration-of-faith/. At the Orientation on August 10th, applicants will be given an exam (multiple choice and True/False questions) to assess their familiarity with the Church of God Declaration of Faith. The applicant’s ability to pass this assessment will determine if the applicant will be approved to enter the CAMS Program.
REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE:
Complete a New Minister / CAMS Application (application obtained by the pastor).
Submit the application by the deadline (May 1) along with two letters of recommendation, a 6-month tithe report, and a $55.00 background check fee.
Submit the Local Church Endorsement form, signed by the pastor, church clerk, and district overseer (this is completed upon a “setting forth” via church conference).
Complete Calling and Ministry Studies (CAMS).
Once all fees are paid in full and all CAMS requirements have been met, the applicant will be eligible to take the Exhorter, Minister of Music, or Minister of Christian Education exam.
The CAMS Graduation will take place during the Tennessee State Camp Meeting in June.
BECOMING AN EXHORTER, MINISTER OF MUSIC, OR MINISTER OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:
A person who feels called to become a credentialed minister in the Church of God should discuss his/her calling with his/her pastor and ask the pastor to contact the Tennessee Church of God State Office. Upon receipt of the request from the pastor, a New Minister/CAMS Application will be emailed/mailed from the State Office to the pastor. Completing CAMS is the first step prior to receiving credentials with the Church of God.
As part of the application process, the individual desiring credentials must submit to a background check.
If the applicant or their spouse has had a previous marriage, additional forms will need to be completed (the State Office will provide these forms). The couple will be required to meet with the Marital Review Board prior to initiation of the background check.
Once all application and background check requirements have been completed and the marital case has been approved by the Church of God International Offices, the applicant and their spouse will be eligible to begin the CAMS program.
After completion of CAMS, and upon recommendation of the Ministerial Development Board, the candidate will be ready to purchase a study guide and will be eligible to take the Exhorter, Minister of Music, or Minister of Christian Education exam. (Note: If an applicant is testing for the Minister of Music or Minister of Christian Education credential, they will take two tests – the Exhorter exam and either the Minister of Music of Minister of Christian Education exam.)
OVERVIEW OF THE CAMS PROGRAM:
Completing the Calling and Ministry Studies (CAMS) program is the first step prior to receiving credentials with the Church of God. The credentialing of Church of God ministers is a formation process. In this process, the church denomination partners with individuals in order to help them develop the abilities to fulfill their divine call and place of ministry. CAMS helps the applicants determine if they are called to clergy ministry, as well as provides knowledge about ministry.
There are two sections in CAMS—seminars and individual study. The orientation and three seminars, which are attended by both the applicants and their spouses, provide tools so that the applicants can identify if they are called to clergy ministry. The seminars also offer an explanation of ministry.
The individual study for applicants includes three activities:
Conducting personal devotions about calling and ministry.
Completing three online training courses.
Writing papers about their calling and understanding of ministry.
Spouses of applicants will attend the orientation and three seminars and will also write papers about their calling and understanding of ministry.
If you are interested in enrolling in CAMS, talk with your local pastor. The pastor can email the State Office at Snichols@cogtn.org to obtain an application. If a paper copy is desired, please call Stephanie Nichols at 423-892-4831 ext. 4.
If you or your spouse have any previous marriages, there will be additional forms and a required meeting with the Marital Review Board before beginning the CAMS program. Final approval from the Church of God International Offices is required in order to move forward with credentialing.
CAMS 2024-2025 SCHEDULE
Application Deadline – May 1, 2024
Orientation – August 10, 2024
1st Session – September 14, 2024
2nd Session – November 9, 2024
3rd Session – January 11, 2025
CAMS Graduation – June 2025 (During Tennessee State Camp Meeting)
CAMS 2024-2025 FEES
Single person seeking credentials - $440.00
Married couple, one person seeking credentials - $484.00
Married couple, both persons seeking credentials - $756.00
(Please note that prices are subject to change.)
There is an Eagle Scholarship available for eligible Tennessee CAMS applicants. For more information about the scholarship, email Stephanie Nichols at snichols@cogtn.org.
Note: Please sign up the first time to create an account. The system needs to match the email you have in the database. We ask that an individual pay online for their fees so that your payment is credited to your account. If a church is wanting to help sponsor an applicants fees we ask the church to reimburse the applicant personally. Please email Crista Barnes if assistance is needed.
CLICK ONE BUTTON BELOW TO PURCHASE THE EXHORTER STUDY GUIDE
