The Ordination of Men to the Ministry

Don Anderson

Reprinted with permission from Faith Pulpit (Jan-Mar, 2011). Photo: Baptist Bulletin.

Ordination to the gospel ministry is a significant and solemn event in a man’s life.1 Churches should understand the Biblical teaching about ordination so they can conduct the procedure in a proper manner.

The General Pattern

Ordinations today generally follow the same pattern. The church, after observing its pastor or assistant pastor for a period of time, decides to call a council to consider the advisability of ordaining him. In addition to some of its own members,2 the church usually seeks the input of men from area churches.3 On the designated day the church and the council members convene to hear the candidate give his salvation testimony, state his call to the ministry, and express his doctrinal positions. In most cases, the individual prepares a written statement of each doctrine. During the session the candidate summarizes his views on each doctrine, followed by questions from the council members.

After the examination, the candidate is dismissed and the council members share their thoughts on the man. If the council is satisfied that he evidences a call to the ministry and is orthodox in his theology, it recommends to the church that it proceed with the ordination. The church then votes to ordain their pastor or assistant pastor at an upcoming service.

At the end of the ordination service, the deacons and ordained men in the congregation lay their hands on the man, formally setting him aside for the ministry.

Discussion

Satan's al-Qaeda in the Church

jwolf6589
With the news of Osama Bid Liden being slain, memories of two books and a sermon series by a certain pastor on the subject of Spiritual Terrorism came to mind. This author is correct and the spiritual terrorists have bombed many in the evangelical movement, and do not mind bombing themselves and many into hell. Many christians do not recognize satan’s al-Qaeda and since many do not read their Bibles they are easily persuaded by the lies and bombs of the terrorists in the church.

Discussion

I have a question about something that I saw at a Presbyterian led funeral.

ScottVan
I was at a funeral recently where a husband and wife were conducting the service at a funeral home. The two are co-pastoring their Presbyterian church. When they closed the service in prayer the female pastor placed her hand over (not on) the head of the deceased and the male pastor placed his hand on the casket near the feet of the deceased. They held this position through the duration of the prayer. I have never witnessed this prior to this event. I am wondering if this is something that they did on their own initiative or is this typical with in the Presbyterian practice?

Discussion