Standards for Future Pastoral Training Mentors and Church Partners

1. Actual competence and independent accountability

Before appointment, a mentor should provide a verifiable identity, relevant ministry experience, a reference from an accountable congregation or institution, and appropriate evidence of qualifications in the specific activities supervised. A person supervising bereavement visits should not be presumed qualified to supervise clinical counseling. A claimed doctorate or ordination should be checked directly with its issuer. The ministry would need a transparent process for appointments, conflicts, complaints and removal.

2. Safeguarding is mandatory

Local partners must have written policies for child protection, vulnerable adults, supervision, privacy, transport, consent, screening, incident documentation and reporting under applicable law. Students must not work alone with minors or high-risk individuals because they completed an online quiz. Abuse disclosures must be routed through legal and trained protection systems, not concealed to protect a church's reputation.

3. A documented practicum, not self-reported numbers

A possible 60-hour practice requirement needs an approved scope of duties, named supervisor, actual dates, direct observation, student feedback and separate approval of relevant evidence. General volunteering, unsupervised conversations or hours entered into the website cannot be counted automatically. Students should be evaluated on demonstrated responsible judgment rather than just attendance.

4. Written assessment and an appeals path

Qualified educators would assess original sermons, theological writing, pastoral case work and safeguarding knowledge using published criteria. There should be a fair revision process, documented decisions, independent review of disputed grades and accommodations where appropriate. No staff member should grade their own relatives or use donations to influence an outcome.

5. School and legal status must be established first

Any formal certificate-awarding institution must review governing law and organizational status. Georgia's religious-institution exemption may be available to certain qualifying nonprofit religious institutions; it requires documentation and an application and is not accreditation. A separate agreement would be required for any recognition, transfer credit or credential from a college, seminary or denomination.

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission — Religious Exemption

6. How a prospective partner can participate

A church, seminary instructor or qualified reviewer interested in helping design or assess the program can use the regular Born Again Daily Contact page to introduce themselves. No relationship or approval should be described as final without independent verification and a written agreement. We will not publish someone's qualifications, signature or endorsement without their consent.

Print the proposed mentor evaluation checklist · See program requirements