David Linde
Church Resources, Placement, Credentialing
Director of Church Resources Dave Linde oversees the credentialing and pastoral search processes in the district. Holding degrees from Bethel University and Dallas Theological Seminary, Dave was a solo pastor for 14 years. He’s now been in district ministry for twenty years, connecting with pastors and church leaders in a variety of ways: coaching, advising, resourcing, teaching, encouraging, and helping organize our twice-a-year conferences. Desiring to put Jesus’s greatness on display, he especially loves to help others connect the truths we hold so dear from Scripture to heart and life in such a way that transformation takes place from the inside out. Dave considers himself widely traveled: he looks out his NCD office window onto the building where he was born. He and his wife, Kathy, live in Circle Pines and have nine children and eleven grandchildren.
Welcome to the credentialing page. Thank you for your interest in ministerial credentialing with the EFCA.
A ministerial credential represents the collective affirmation of the EFCA that a pastor or ministry leader is a person of spiritual and personal integrity, Biblical-theological understanding, and ministerial competence. It is a modern-day expression of the Biblical pattern of commending leaders to Christ’s church (Rom. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:18-24; Phil. 2:19-22; 3 John 12).
A vigorous rationale for pursuing a ministry credential includes the following reasons:
- It is good for the pastor/leader! It provides a well-defined but manageable pathway for further personal development in Biblical-theological understanding and ministry application. It’s an opportunity for personal nourishment, refreshment, and invigoration.
- It is good for the church! The church will be enriched by the spillover from a pastor or ministry leader who is being nourished and stimulated in this way.
- It is a way of modeling for others the kind of commitment and “joining” that leaders want their congregations to do.
- It is a way of affirming partnership and accountability with the EFCA and of being encouraged by the affirmation of the EFCA.
- It is the best way to satisfy legal requirements for performing marriages in Minnesota and being recognized by the IRS as eligible for ministerial tax treatment.
EFCA ministerial credentialing begins with licensing and can be continued with the optional step of the Certificate of Christian Ministry or the Certificate of Ordination. Present engagement in a qualifying ministry is necessary to be eligible for a credential.
The three main tasks in preparing for licensing are the reading of five books, the completion of a variety of application paperwork, and the writing of a doctrinal paper.
Further information on credentialing can be found at the EFCA website. Contact Dave Linde on the North central district staff to discuss questions you may have and to create a plan for pursuing your credential.