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"Follow Me. I Will Make You Fishers of Men." — Matthew 4:19

LVCM CDC Ministerial Development
& Ordination Program

Jesus did not build His ministry from a pulpit. He built it in the streets, at the water's edge, in homes, at tables, and among the broken, the outcast, and the lost. This program exists to raise up the next generation of ministers who do the same — Spirit-filled, Word-grounded, and people-centered.

"A minister is not first a title-holder, platform speaker, or organizational representative.
A minister is a Spirit-empowered bondservant of Jesus Christ —
formed by the Word, tested in character, recognized by the Body,
sent for witness, reconciliation, service,
and the formation of Christ in others."

— The LVCM CDC Standard of Ministry

The LVCM CDC Ministerial Development Program offers three progressive pathways — from initial calling to full ordination. Each stage builds on the last, developing the whole minister: character, competency, and community impact.

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STAGE 1
Christian Worker Certificate
12 months
→
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STAGE 2
Licensed Minister
3 years (following Stage 1)
→
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STAGE 3
Ordained Minister
Minimum 4 years total from Stage 1
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STAGE 1 · 12 months

Christian Worker Certificate

The foundation. You have heard the call. Now you learn to walk in it. Designed for new believers, community members encountered through street outreach, and anyone sensing a call to ministry. No prior training required — only a willing heart.

Scripture Anchor — Matthew 4:19 — "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Curriculum
  • Introduction to the Bible (Old & New Testament overview)
  • The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ
  • Foundations of Evangelism & Witnessing
  • Prayer, Fasting & Spiritual Disciplines
  • The Great Commission in Practice (Street Outreach)
  • Introduction to the Sacraments (Baptism, Communion)
  • Gifts of the Spirit — Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12
  • Serving in the Body — Hospitality, Administration, Care
  • Church in the Streets Practical Field Work (min. 10 activations)
  • Personal Spiritual Gifts Assessment
Requirements
  • Weekly attendance at approved church or LVCM ministry gathering
  • Participation in minimum 10 CITS/HITS activations
  • Completion of all 9 curriculum modules
  • Mentor evaluation sign-off
  • Written testimony of faith and calling
Credential Awarded
Christian Worker Certificate
Signed by: Rev. Kenneth Holly, President & CEO, LVCM CDC
Upon recommendation of the Christian Worker Formation Team
NOTE: No credential is awarded solely on the basis of gift or talent. Every credential requires demonstrated character, Spirit-empowerment, doctrinal soundness, and proven fruit in ministry — as established by 1 Timothy 5:22: "Do not lay hands on anyone hastily."
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STAGE 2 · 3 years (following Stage 1)

Licensed Minister

You have been proven faithful. Now you are sent. The Licensed Minister track develops the full range of sacerdotal (pastoral/priestly) ministry practices — the official rites, services, and functions that constitute the work of an ordained minister.

Scripture Anchor — 2 Timothy 2:15 — "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God."
Curriculum
  • Year 1 — Word & Worship:
  • Homiletics: Preparing and Preaching the Sermon
  • Biblical Hermeneutics: How to Study and Interpret Scripture
  • Conducting Worship Services (order of service, liturgy, charismatic expression)
  • The Sacrament of Baptism — theology, modes, administration
  • The Lord's Supper / Holy Communion — theology and administration
  • Leading Corporate Prayer and Intercession
  • Pastoral Counseling Foundations
  • Year 2 — Pastoral Care & Rites of the Church:
  • Conducting Weddings — premarital counseling, ceremony structure, legal requirements
  • Conducting Funerals & Memorial Services — grief support, eulogy, graveside service
  • Baby Dedications & Naming Ceremonies
  • Hospital Visitation and Bedside Ministry
  • Crisis Intervention and Pastoral First Response
  • Anointing the Sick (James 5:14-15)
  • Deliverance Ministry Foundations
  • The Offices of the Church: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher (Eph. 4:11-13)
  • Year 3 — Leadership, Church Administration & Systems Change:
  • Church Administration and Governance
  • Nonprofit Ministry & Community Development (CDC model)
  • Stewardship, Tithes, Offerings & Church Finance
  • Street Evangelism and Community Outreach Strategy
  • Cross-Cultural Ministry and Ecumenical Engagement
  • Discipleship Systems: Making and Multiplying Disciples
  • Conflict Resolution and Restorative Justice
  • The Role of the Church in Social Justice and Community Health
  • Capstone: Personal Ministry Vision and Strategic Plan
Requirements
  • Active participation in CITS/HITS activations
  • Conduct minimum 2 services under supervision per year
  • Monthly mentoring with Rev. Holly or assigned senior minister
  • Annual ministry review and evaluation
Credential Awarded
Licensed Minister Credential
Issued by: The Ministerial Licensing Committee of LVCM CDC
(A committee of ordained ministers and ministry leaders appointed by Rev. Holly)
Signed and sealed by: The LVCM CDC Ministerial Licensing Committee
Valid for 3 years from date of issuance, subject to annual review
NOTE: No credential is awarded solely on the basis of gift or talent. Every credential requires demonstrated character, Spirit-empowerment, doctrinal soundness, and proven fruit in ministry — as established by 1 Timothy 5:22: "Do not lay hands on anyone hastily."
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STAGE 3 · Minimum 4 years total from Stage 1

Ordained Minister

Ordination is not a graduation. It is a commissioning. After demonstrating consistent faithfulness, doctrinal soundness, pastoral competency, and fruit in ministry over the full Licensed Minister track, candidates are examined and ordained as Ministers of the Gospel.

Scripture Anchor — Acts 13:3 — "They fasted, prayed, laid hands on them, and sent them away."
Curriculum
  • Completion of full Licensed Minister curriculum
  • Minimum 4 years of active ministry service
  • Doctrinal examination (written and oral) before ordination council
  • Character and conduct review — references from 3 ministers and 3 community members
  • Demonstration of fruit: disciples made, people served, community impact documented
  • Final ordination service with laying on of hands by Rev. Kenneth Holly
Requirements
  • All Licensed Minister requirements completed
  • 4+ years documented ministry service
  • Favorable ordination council review
  • Full character and fruit review
Credential Awarded
Minister of the Gospel — Ordained
Conferred by: The LVCM CDC Board of Ordination
(A council of senior ordained ministers, elders, and community leaders)
Ratified by: Rev. Kenneth Holly, Presiding Elder
Ordination is for life — subject to moral accountability and doctrinal fidelity
NOTE: No credential is awarded solely on the basis of gift or talent. Every credential requires demonstrated character, Spirit-empowerment, doctrinal soundness, and proven fruit in ministry — as established by 1 Timothy 5:22: "Do not lay hands on anyone hastily."