What is the difference between ordination and credentialing for women in COGIC?

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The difference here centers on authority versus formal recognition within church governance. Ordination is the formal act that grants a person the authority to preach publicly, lead a congregation, and administer the sacraments; it signals that the church recognizes someone as having the pastoral authority to oversee ministry responsibilities. Credentialing, on the other hand, is a formal recognition within the church’s rules that a person is qualified to serve in ministry roles under local bylaws and church governance. It confirms eligibility to perform ministry duties but does not confer the authority to administer sacraments or exercise pastoral governance. So, ordination gives pastoral and sacramental authority, while credentialing affirms eligibility to serve within the church’s administrative framework.