The levels on which persons in ministry are affiliated with ACRP as professional body, are referred to as “designations”. The word designation in this context means “professional title”.

  • CGMP and CMTP use four levels of designation (for details, see Levels of Designation with CGMP or CMTP below).
  • CPSC uses the same four levels of designation but also uses some subdivisions of the designations (for detail, see Levels of Designation under CPSC below).

Levels of Designation with CGMP or CMTP

For persons who choose to be affiliated with ACRP via CGMP or CMTP there are four levels of professional registration and designation. A person who is registered on a lower level of recognition can work towards a higher level, through further training and through longer professional involvement.

  • Level 1: Religious practitioner

    For many pastors this will be the entry point to registration. It is also used if an applicant has more years of ministry experience, but it is still uncertain which of the other levels are applicable to the applicant. Once the application for this level has been submitted, the application information will be evaluated, and the applicant will be advised which other level of designation may be relevant.

  • Level 2: Advanced Religious practitioner

    This level of registration confirms that the person has achieved a certain level of training and/or a longer period of ministry experience than with level 1.

  • Level 3: Religious professional

    This level of registration confirms that the person has achieved a higher level of training and/or an even longer period of ministry experience than with level 2.

  • Level 4: Religious specialist

    This is the highest level of designation, and it is not possible to be awarded this designation unless the applicant is the holder of a Master’s degree or doctorate.

Provision is also made for:

  • Associate Affiliates (persons who are informally or non-professionally involved in ministry, who want to be associated with the professional body).
  • Student Affiliates (full-time or part-time ministry students (of SAQA registered ministry qualifications) who are not in a formal ministry yet. Pastors or other persons in ministry who are already formally involved in a ministry, who are also studying, do not register as student affiliates, but as designated affiliates on one of the levels referred to above).

Notes on Designations

  • Registration and designation with the professional body confirms:
    • That a person has been registered with an ACRP council as a pastor or person in ministry;
    • That he or she subscribes to the ACRP  Ethical Code and  Disciplinary Code;
    • That he or she participates in Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme
  • Details on the requirements for registration and designation with CGMP or CMTP are provided in the  Rules of Affiliation and Designation document.

Recognition of Prior Learning towards a Designation

Read more on RPL towards a Designation.

Levels of Designation under CPSC

For persons who want to be affiliated with ACRP via CPSC, the same main levels apply. In CPSC’s case the designations also have sub-divisions. More information on the designations, requirements and applications is provided on the CPSC website  .