What is Mobilize?
Mobilize is a mentoring program that establishes a bond of loyalty and a relationship of cooperation between the pastor and members. It is a pastor’s tool for motivating and training members for spiritual leadership and ministry together.
This was formerly referenced as lay ministers certification. This program is designed for laity who desire to serve in the church and community, but not necessarily in a position of leadership. This program is for those who want to volunteer their time in service to God, helping to fulfill the Great Commission.
If a member is interested in pursuing the “Mobilize” program, their local pastor should read the information below and browse the available products by exploring the “MOBILIZE” website, which is also linked below in the requirements section. The local pastor shall determine if the member is a candidate based on their qualifications. After the Level-1 and Level-2 training requirements of the Church of God Leadership Development Program are completed by the member, their pastor will download the application and submit the signed application to the State Office for processing.
More information about the Church of God Leadership Development Program is available at this link: https://www.cogmobilize.org/lay-ministry-worker.
The Lay Ministry Worker track of Mobilize is a 16-week program with two levels. Explore other training modules available at the Mobilize website, www.cogmobilize.org.
BELIEVERS MUST EXPERIENCE A TRANSFORMATION
The biblical foundation for Mobilize is summarized best in Romans 12:1-8. In this passage, Paul urges all believers to present their bodies as a “living sacrifice” to be used by God. Furthermore, he says that every believer has received a charismatic gift (that is, “a gift of grace”) from the Holy Spirit as a member of the body of Christ.
Qualifications
The candidate must:
Be a loyal member of the Church of God, adhering to its teachings.
Be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Be faithful in tithing.
Be a regular church attendant.
Be one who works in harmony with the local, state, and international church’s program and one who reflects a cooperative attitude toward the progress of the church.
Have completed at least one year of apprenticeship in local church ministry under the supervision of the pastor. The apprentice-ship should consist of successful completion of the Church of God Leadership Development Program (levels 1 and 2), formerly called The Timothy Plan.
Have the approval of the local church governing body with a recommendation from the pastor and church council.
Responsibilities and Authorities
The lay minister’s certificate must be renewed every two years by the local church where the lay minister is a member. Renewal requires that the individual continue to be actively engaged in one or more specialized areas of local church ministry, such as children’s ministry, youth ministry, prison ministry, elderly ministry, music ministry, and so forth.
Whenever a lay minister transfers to another Church of God, the present certificate is terminated. The new church may approve the applicant and issue the lay minister’s certificate. Once a person has completed the leadership development program and apprenticeship at one church, it is not necessary to repeat this process in order to be certified by another local church.
The lay minister shall serve as a helper to the pastor and shall be eligible to conduct various services and ministry activities sponsored by the local church under the supervision of the pastor.
The lay minister shall be authorized to represent the local church in the community as a certified Christian worker.
The lay minister shall teach and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through areas of specialized ministry.
The lay minister shall serve as a model within the local church for the mentoring and discipling of believers.