General Prerequisites for Ordination
The Corpus Christi Ecumenical Fellowship
Ordination Information
General Prerequisites for Ordination
1. You must be a baptized Christian.
2. All persons seeking ordination with the CCEF must submit a “religious resume” describing their religious background and upbringing along with any previous training undertaken. This includes, but is not limited to seminary, bible colleges or schools, colleges or universities. Any training listed and included by the candidate must be supported by proper documentation. That is photocopies of any degrees, diplomas or certificates. Transcripts may be requested. If so, the responsibility for obtaining and submitting the transcripts rests with the candidate. If a candidate has been previously ordained by a communion or jurisdiction that has valid, historical lines of Apostolic Succession, and is seeking incardination, photocopies of all certificates or documents of ordination must be included. If a candidate wishes any or all previous training, experience or education to be considered and evaluated in his or her application, the time for this consideration and evaluation is upon and during the application process, not after. Requests for consideration and evaluation of prior training, experience or education in the ministry after the application process has been completed will not be considered.
3. A Statement of Faith must be submitted by the candidate.
4. ALL applications for ordination or incardination must be completed, signed by the candidate, notarized, submitted and returned by postal mail to the Office of the Director of Vocations. There are NO exceptions to this.
5. A photocopy of your driver’s license, state, province or country identification card must be included.
6. A current photograph of you must be included.
7. ANY false or misleading statements or declarations will, if Holy Orders have been conferred, result in the nullification of Holy Orders, revocation of faculties and a return to lay status. If Holy Orders or licensing have not yet been conferred, the application in question will be declined.
8. If the sole reason for seeking ordination or incardination is the pursuit of Apostolic Succession, please do not apply. The CCEF takes its responsibility in the conferral of Holy Orders very seriously. All clergy members are expected to be the best servants of The Lord that they can be.
9. Please note that all persons are initially licensed into the Order of Deacon, where they serve for a period of at least one year. This is a time of formation and study. In some cases the time constraint may be modified. This is only done when there is a consensus of opinion and determination between the Director of Vocations, the CCEF Council of Elders, and the Presiding Bishop. In any case, the time period of service in the Diaconate will not be less than six months. All persons licensed into the Diaconate, whether it is for six months or one year, will study under the guidance and tutelage of the Director of the Seminary, or his or her delegate or representative. Successful completion of the Seminary will depend on several factors, including but not limited to maintaining the contact and reporting requirements, successfully completing and passing required examinations, and exhibiting proficiency in the required areas of study and worship.
The CCEF DOES NOT assume any LEGAL responsibility for its ministers. Neither the CCEF nor the individual minister is an agent for or of the other. All clergy are responsible for their own actions, including but not limited to any and all financial and fiscal responsibilities, contracts or liabilities and the commission or omission of any action. However, each clergy member IS answerable to the CCEF and does come under the Episcopal oversight of the Presiding Bishop and the CCEF Council of Elders. If an investigation finds serious violation of Christian ethics, morals and values have indeed been committed; certain sanctions can and may be applied, up to and including removal, revocation and nullification of the clergy member’s faculties, ordination and or consecration and a return to the state of laity.
If you are currently a member of any ecclesiastical body or organization that has conferred Holy Orders upon you in ANY capacity, i.e., Deacon, Presbyter (Priest) or Episcopacy (Bishop) are you planning to resign from this ecclesiastical body or organization?
If you plan to resign from this body or organization or to seek release from this body or organization, then a letter of release must be obtained from your Bishop, Ordinary or Superior. The ordination/incardination process cannot begin until this letter is submitted with your application.
If you are or have been a member of any religious or monastic community in ANY capacity, i.e., lay Brother or Sister, Monk, Friar, Abbot or Superior of any Order, then a letter of release must be obtained from your Archabbot, Abbot General or Superior. The ordination/incardination process cannot begin until this letter is submitted with your application.
If you are currently a member of either of the above described bodies or organizations and you are not resigning from them, a letter of authorization or permission from your Bishop, Ordinary, or Superior giving their authorization or permission to apply for and accept ordination/incardination (if granted) must be submitted with your application. The ordination/incardination process cannot begin until this letter is submitted. If you have previously been ordained into Holy Orders and are no longer associated or affiliated with the communion or jurisdiction that had ordained you, please explain why and submit a letter of release.
May the Peace and Grace of Our Risen Savior be with you!
+Bruce D. Campbell
Presiding Bishop
Corpus Christi Ecumenical Fellowship