Licensing

RPI welcomes all inquiries and candidates who seek fellowship with our family of ministers and churches. We prayerfully review each and every application to ensure that RPI is a good fit for that person or ministry. We realize that what we stand for and the mission that God gave us many years ago, must not be hindered just to accommodate. It is imperative that each candidate understand who we are and what we believe so that we can come into covenant and be willing to support the entirety of the RPI Statement of Faith, Constitution and Bylaws. We are willing to mentor and help train new ministers answering the call of God. We feel it is very important to be accountable to those in authority that God places in your life. Ministry is our life, not just something we enjoy doing. We desire committed persons who are ready to enlist in this great army of the Lord. 

All ministers receiving a general or full ordination license with RPI, and remain in good standing, shall be authorized to perform weddings, bless unions, bury the deceased and perform other such duties as are commonly required of the ministry. These same ministers are eligible to vote on any item that comes before the body of ministers. All ministers' standing in the fellowship shall be reviewed by the RPI board annually.  To maintain a license, a minister is absolutely required to remain:  involved in a regular, tangible ministry, accountable, godly, supportive of the fellowship financially, cooperative and submissive in the Spirit of Christ, a harmonious worker with other RPI ministers and in compliance with all scriptural requirements as set forth in I Timothy, chapter 3 and Titus, chapter 1.  An ordination or license may be revoked by the RPI board at any time there is proven to be just cause.

Ministers in Training Program is provided for those newly called ministers who are Spirit-filled, living a holy life and are in the process of answering his/her call to ministry. These candidates will be recommended by their pastor or other R.P.I. Ministers who have been observing the candidate’s life and obvious call to ministry. The candidate must be in good standing in their own local church and be living an exemplary life. The candidate accepted into this program will be expected to complete a course of study outlined by the R.P.I. Educational Department and Coordinator. The candidate will be accountable to a ministerial coach or mentor to be assigned by the educational committee. This will be a two-year program unless progress merits graduation into the Associate Licensing Program. During this time, segmented course material must be completed and the student must be actively participating in supervised public preaching, teaching or other ministerial activity. Ministers-in-training may not hold an office, nor vote in business sessions.

Qualifications:

• Be baptized in water by full immersion.
• Be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.
• Possess affirmation of a call to ministry.
• Have pastor's approval to enter the program.
• Complete an application with supporting documents.
• Complete the course of study required by R.P.I.
• Be approved by the Educational Committee.
• If this person is a minor, have parent’s written permission to enter the Ministers in Training Program if the application is accepted.
• Pay a non-refundable processing fee for application and course evaluation.
  

An Associate License is recommended for new ministers who are Spirit-filled, living a holy life and are in the process of proving his/her calling and are ministering under the supervision of an appointed R.P.I. ordained minister.  Those holding an Associate License may minister freely throughout our fellowship, but may not hold an office, nor vote in business sessions.

Qualifications:

• Be baptized in water by full immersion.
• Be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.
• Possess clear evidence of a call
• Provide three satisfactory references
• Complete an application
• Complete additional course of study as defined by the R.P.I. Education and Credential Committees or show evidence of equivalent ministerial training
• Be approved by the R.P.I. board
• Must have read the Bible through in its entirety
• Pay a non-refundable processing fee for application and course evaluation​​

Applicant must hold a General License for two years unless waived by the R.P.I. board.  They may minister freely throughout our fellowship.  This individual may be considered for election to an office in R.P.I. and may vote in business sessions.  Ordination is reserved for those ministers who have proven themselves through faithful and successful service to the body of Christ in the capacity of pastor, evangelist or teacher.  Past or present ordinations may be considered by the R.P.I. board in establishing ministerial credentials with our fellowship.

Qualifications:

• Be baptized in water by full immersion.
• Be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.
• Possess clear evidence of a call
• Provide three satisfactory references
• Complete an application
• Complete additional course of study as defined by the R.P.I. Education and Credential Committees or show evidence of equivalent ministerial training
• Be approved by the R.P.I. board
• Must have read the Bible through in its entirety
• Pay a non-refundable processing fee for application and course evaluation​​

Applicant must hold a General License for two years unless waived by the R.P.I. board. They may minister freely throughout our fellowship.  This individual may be considered for election to an office in R.P.I. and may vote in business sessions.  Ordination is reserved for those ministers who have proven themselves through faithful and successful service to the body of Christ in the capacity of pastor, evangelist or teacher.  Past or present ordinations may be considered by the R.P.I. board in establishing ministerial credentials with our fellowship.

Qualifications:

• Be baptized in water by full immersion.
• Be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.
• Possess clear evidence of a call
• Provide three satisfactory references
• Complete an application
• Complete additional course of study as defined by the R.P.I. Education and Credential Committees or show evidence of equivalent ministerial training
• Be approved by the R.P.I. board
• Must have read the Bible through in its entirety
• Pay a non-refundable processing fee for application and course evaluation