Date:____________
PASTORAL INFORMATION FORM
PERSONAL HISTORY:
Name:_________________________________________________ Tel:___________________
Address:__________________________________________ E-mail: _____________________
Date of Birth:___________
Marital Status:________ Spouse’s Name:_________________ Date of Marriage:____________
Number of children living at home:______
Your special interests, hobbies, abilities:
Spouse’s interests, hobbies, abilities:
HEALTH:
Do you have any health problems that might affect the performance of your ministry?
Yes No
If yes, please specify:___________________________________________________________
When was the last time you had a physical checkup? _________________________________
Please comment on your general health:
College:
Name Dates Degree/Honors
_______________________________________ __________ ____________
_______________________________________ __________ ____________
_______________________________________ __________ ____________
Name Dates Degree/Honors
_______________________________________ __________ ____________
_______________________________________ __________ ____________
_______________________________________ __________ ____________
Do you currently hold a credential for ministry?
Yes No
If yes, please identify ________________________________________________________
Have you ever held a credential for ministry that was revoked or withdrawn?
Yes No
If yes, please explain: __________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
If you do not hold a credential from an Advent Christian credentialing body do you intend to
seek such a credential?
Yes No
STATEMENT OF CALL TO MINISTRY: (Use back, if necessary)
MINISTRY HISTORY:
I
have been involved in Christian ministry for _______ years as:
_____________________
Name of church or organization Position Dates served
___________________________________________ _________________ __________
___________________________________________ _________________ __________
___________________________________________ _________________ __________
___________________________________________ _________________ __________
Please describe any specialized ministries in which you have been involved:
Do you speak any language other than English?
Yes No
If yes, please specify: __________________________________________________________
Work experience other than Christian ministry:
The
purpose of this section is to help you assess your spiritual competencies and
interests so as to provide a basic understanding of how you perceive your
giftedness and calling.
Please identify up to 10 qualities which you believe best describe your person and ministry even though you may identify with more. An item not marked is not an indication of weakness.
Please check each box of your choice.
am an effective leader am genuinely accepting of other
assertive believers who may have different
passive theological positions
team oriented understand the plan of salvation
and share with unbelievers when
am an effective administrator opportunity presents itself
am a self starter am committed to personal spiritual
growth and theological understanding
am an effective preacher/speaker
spend quality time in prayer
am effective in planning and
leading worship deal effectively with conflict
am an effective counselor seek to help people discover their
ministry gift and use it for the glory
am a good listener of God and the building up of one
another
am genuinely accepting of people
with different backgrounds and/or have a clear understanding of what God
ethnicities is calling me to do with my life
I am most comfortable with the following age groups: (Check as many as apply.)
children middle adults
young adults people of my own age group
seniors people of all age groups
youth
My personality is best described as: (check as many as apply)
people person steady (unfazed by problems)
inspires confidence compassionate and caring,
subject to mood swings sensitive to others needs
reserved other: ________________
(please indicate)
Which of the following spiritual gifts characterize your life and ministry?
Prophecy Knowledge Service
Healing Teaching Discernment
Hospitality Deliverance Helps
Mercy Administration Evangelism
Tongues Pastor/Teacher Faith
Wisdom Interpretation of Tongues
Do you believe any of the above are “sign” gifts of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Yes No
If yes, which ones?
What do you believe are the essential beliefs/experiences that unite believers in the Body of Christ?
PASTORAL ACTIVITY
PRIORITIZATION:
Please
review the following list of pastoral activities and circle your priority
rating under the appropriate indicator.
Remember this is merely a personal indicator as to what, in your mind,
holds highest priority.
A. PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD. The Pastor proclaims 1 2 3
the Word with conviction, clarity and application to life
situations.
B. LEADING OF WORSHIP. The Pastor is responsible to 1 2 3
lead the congregation in worship and creatively varies the
format to develop interest and participation of others.
C. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF MEMBERS. The Pastor 1 2 3
takes a personal interest in the spiritual growth of
individual members outside of the regularly scheduled
services of the church. Sets aside time for nurture of
members individually or in groups.
D. VISITATION. (church members) The Pastor visits in 1 2 3
the homes of church members at least twice a year
whether there are special needs or not.
E. VISITATION. (special needs) The Pastor personally sees 1 2 3
that the needs of the ill, hospitalized, shut-in, distressed and
bereaved are faithfully cared for.
F. COUNSELING. The Pastor holds regular office hours 1 2 3
including some evening time for the purpose of counseling
members and/or non-members.
G. CHURCH FELLOWSHIP. The Pastor places priority on 1 2 3
group fellowship and support systems that reach all
members. A Caring network is established.
H. EVANGELISM. The Pastor models an evangelistic life 1 2 3
style and mobilizes the congregation through training
and interaction to faithfully witness to their faith in
Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
PASTORAL ACTIVITY PRIORITIZATION (continued) PRIORITY RATING
(High to Low)
I. COMMITMENT TO MISSIONS. The Pastor places a 1 2 3
high priority on world missions and encourages broad
support on the part of the church.
J. DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 1 2 3
The Pastor is committed to the Sunday School and encourages
workers in special ministries through training and counsel.
He offers his time to teach as may be desired from time to
time. He is committed to making the members of his
congregation Biblically literate and functionally effective.
K. INTERFAITH ACTIVITIES. The Pastor cooperates with other 1 2 3
Christian leaders to show a united witness and to address
community issues.
Please indicate your preference as to whether or not you
feel this cooperation should be limited to evangelicals.
Evangelicals only Broad cooperation
L. SUPPORT OF DENOMINATION. The Pastor teaches 1 2 3
the doctrinal distinctives of the Advent Christian
denomination and makes himself available to serve as
may be requested. He encourages support of the total
world mission of the denomination in all levels of its
organizational life.
When you have completed this list, please review and circle the 5 most important activities and list in order of priority below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Additional comments you would like to make:
Describe the church you would enjoy pastoring most
Do you subscribe to the Declaration of Principles of the Advent Christian denomination? (see attached)
Yes No
If no, please explain:
On a separate sheet(s) of paper please summarize your Biblical understanding of the following doctrines. Summaries should be of sufficient length to demonstrate level of understanding and be supported by Biblical references.
Also, on a separate sheet(s) of paper, please summarize your understanding of what the Bible teaches about the following social issues:
PHILOSOPHY OF
MINISTRY/PRIORITIES:
STATEMENT OF
DEVOTIONAL PRACTICE:
Describe
your expectations for Christian service/ministry:
REFERENCES:
Please list two names and addresses.
Availability: Salary and benefits needed:
Do you own your own home? Yes No
Declaration of Principles
of the Advent Christian General Conference
I. We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, being in its entirety a revelation given to man under Divine inspiration and providence; that its historic statements are correct, and that it is the only Divine and infallible standard of faith and practice (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15,16; John 17:17).
II. We believe, as revealed in the Bible –
A. In one God, our Father, eternal, and infinite in His wisdom, love and power, the Creator of all things, “In whom we live and move, and have our being” (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 40:28; Matthew 6:6)
B. And in Jesus Christ, our Lord, the only begotten Son of God conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; who came into our world to seek and to save that which was lost; who died for our sins, who was raised bodily from the dead for our justification; who ascended into heaven as our High Priest and Mediator, and who will come again in the end of this age, to judge the living and the dead, and to reign forever and ever (1 Timothy 3:16).
C. And in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, sent from God to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, whereby we are sanctified and sealed unto the day of redemption (John 14:16, 26; 16:7-11; Ephesians 1:13).
III. We believe that man was created for immortality, but that through sin he forfeited his Divine birthright; that because of sin, death entered into the world, and passed upon all men; and that only through faith in Jesus Christ, the divinely ordained Life-giver, can men become “partakers of the divine nature,” and live forever (2 Timothy 1:10; Romans 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 51-54).
IV. We believe that death is a condition of unconsciousness to all persons, righteous and wicked; a condition which will remain unchanged until the resurrection of Christ’s second coming, at which time the righteous will receive everlasting life while the wicked will be “punished with everlasting destruction”; suffering complete extinction of being (Ecclesiastes 9:5; Job 14:14; John 5:28,29; Matthew 10:28).
V. We believe that salvation is free to all those who, in this life and in this age, accept it on the conditions imposed, which conditions are simple and inflexible; namely, turning from sin, repentance toward God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a life of consecration to the service of God; thus excluding all hope of a future probation, or of universal salvation (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Luke 13:25-28).
VI. We believe that Jesus Christ, according to His promise, will come again to this earth, even “in like manner” as he went into heaven personally, visibly and gloriously - to reign here forever; and that this coming is the hope of the Church, inasmuch as upon that coming depend the resurrection and the reward of the righteous, the abolition f sin and its consequences, and the renewal of the earth now marred by sin - to become the eternal home of the redeemed, after which event the earth will be forever free from sin and death (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; Revelation 22:12,20).
VII. We believe that bible prophecy has indicted the approximate time of Christ’s return; and comparing its testimony with the signs of our times, we are confident that He is near, “even at the doors,” and we believe that the great duty of the hour is the proclamation of this soon coming redemption, the defense of Bible authority, inspiration and truth, and the salvation of lost men (2 Peter 1:19-21; Matthew 24:42-45; Revelation 22:17).
VIII.We believe the Church of Christ is an institution of Divine origin, which includes all true Christians of whatever name but that local church organizations should be independent of outside control, congregational in government, and subject to no dictation of priest, bishop or pope; although true fellowship and unity of action should exist between all such organizations (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:25; Ephesians 4:15).
IX. We
believe that the only ordinances of the
X. We believe that the first day of the week, as the day set apart by the early Church in commemoration of Christ’s resurrection, should be observed as the Christian Sabbath, and used as a day of rest and religious worship (Psalms 118:22-24; Luke 24:1-12; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
XI. We believe that war is contrary to the spirit and teachings of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ; that it is contrary to the spirit of true brotherhood; and that our influence should be used against it. We believe the Bible also teaches that properly constituted government is ordained of God and is a divine instrument for man’s welfare and protection. When an Advent Christian decides on the basis of Scripture and conscience, either to bear arms or to submit to penalties imposed for his refusal to do so, local Advent Christian congregations should extend continued fellowship and nurture.