Guide to Ministerial Preparation and Ordination

(Please note that the information is applicable under General Assembly, 2017)

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Resources for Lead Pastors

Pastors, if you have an individual in your local church who is feeling God's call into ministry, we want to make sure you know the steps that need to be taken for them to be issued a Local Minister's License. You can click the button below to find all of those details and forms for first time applicants, or renewal applicants.

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INQUIRY

 

 

This event is mandatory for the following: those applying for a District License for the first time, or those who have transferred to the Kansas City District from another district this past year. (First time applicants must have held a local church license for a minimum of one year and have completed at least a quarter of the Course of Study.)

 

January 31, 2026

Begins at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude around 3:00 p.m.

Place: Kansas City First Church (11811 State Line Rd., Kansas City, MO)

Cost: $30.00, will include all meals and Inquiry materials

Register

Register by January 12, 2026

District Licensed Ministers

This information is for those being granted OR renewing their district license.

Deadline for all paperwork, including registration for Inquiry, is Monday, January 12, 2026.

All of the following required paperwork for the granting or renewal of one’s District Minister’s License must be submitted to credentials@kcdistrict.org.

You will receive a confirmation email when your forms have been received. If you do not receive confirmation, please follow up.

First time applicants who have a divorce in their background, must have a divorce barrier removal on file with the Board of General Superintendents. Send an email to credentials@kcdistrict.org to begin the process of Divorce Barrier Removal.

 
Local Church Recommendation Form

Recommendation to the District Assembly Form

Contact your local church pastor and ask them to complete this form. This requires a vote of the local church board, affirming the evidence of grace, gifts and effectiveness. It is important that your Local Church Recommendation Form be on the agenda of your local church board meeting prior to January 12th so that it can be submitted with your paperwork.

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Application for a District Minister’s License

The Application for a District Minister's License must be completed online in its entirety every year.  When you click the link below you will be asked to set up an account with a username (email) and password. Keep this login information available as you will use this each year to submit the renewal application.  The system will also allow you to “save for later” any items that you do not complete and return to finish them later.  You will find further instructions within the application pages.

Application 

 

2026 Questionnaire - for a District Licensed Minister

The District License Questionnaire must be completed online in its entirety.  Feel free to share your submitted responses with your pastor. PDF copies of the questionnaire are provided below for reference and preparation only. 

 

2026 Questionnaire - English     

 

2026 Cuestionario - SPanish 

 

2026 Questionario - Portuguese 

 

English 2026 District License Questionnaire (pdf)

 

Spanish 2026 District License Questionnaire (pdf)
 

Portuguese 2026 District License Questionnaire (pdf)

 

Job Description

If you are in an assigned role, other than a lead pastor, you must provide a letter with your start date and job description. This information should be provided by your supervisor, which you in turn would forward to credentials@kcdistrict.org.

 

Education Transcript or Proof of Continuing Education

Your updated transcript/continuing education information should be forwarded to Dr. Bill Kirkemo at billkirkemo@gmail.com
USA/Canada Valid Course of Study Curriculums

 

Background Check Form

Background checks are required every two years. We use MinistrySafe to perform these checks, and will need to send you an email containing a link to complete the form. The cost is $30, and we encourage churches to cover/reimburse this expense for you. Please talk with your pastor about this. If you know you need to complete a background check and haven't yet received an email from us, please contact us at credentials@kcdistrict.org, and we will have one sent to you. If you’ve had a background check completed within the last two years outside of our platform, and can provide a copy of the results, please email a copy to credentials@kcdistrict.org.

Renewal Interviews for District Minister’s License

February 17 and March 24, 2026

Hour interviews will be scheduled on first come first served basis. All paperwork must be submitted in order for your interview to be scheduled.

Interviews will be held at KC Central Church of the Nazarene 12600 W 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa

Potential Ordinand Interviews

April 28, 2026

Central Church of the Nazarene
12600 W 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa