Scribd
Upload
146 views2 pages

Ordination

The document discusses ordination in the context of pastoral ministry. It explains that while ordination is not directly taught in scripture, it aligns with biblical examples of people being commissioned by God for specific tasks. The ordination process acknowledges God's calling of an individual into ministry work. It involves the candidate expressing their intent, the church recognizing their gifts, a council recommending the ordination, and a service where the candidate is set apart for gospel work. The document then provides an outline for a sample ordination service, which includes the candidate sharing their testimony and beliefs, a question period, deliberation, prayers, and the laying on of hands.

Uploaded by

Elí Gutierrez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
146 views2 pages

Ordination

The document discusses ordination in the context of pastoral ministry. It explains that while ordination is not directly taught in scripture, it aligns with biblical examples of people being commissioned by God for specific tasks. The ordination process acknowledges God's calling of an individual into ministry work. It involves the candidate expressing their intent, the church recognizing their gifts, a council recommending the ordination, and a service where the candidate is set apart for gospel work. The document then provides an outline for a sample ordination service, which includes the candidate sharing their testimony and beliefs, a question period, deliberation, prayers, and the laying on of hands.

Uploaded by

Elí Gutierrez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

LIFE AND WORK OF THE PASTOR – PASTORAL MINISTRY 7336

Fall 2020 – Eli Gutierrez


Ordination

Unlike the Lord’s Supper, Baptism, and Weddings, an ordination is not a ceremony directly
taught in Scripture. However, its practice is coherent with the biblical witness. There are several
stories in the Old Testament of people commissioned by God to do a particular task. And the
New Testament shows a pattern of setting apart those who have been commissioned by God and
in the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work of Christ’s gospel. An ordination symbolizes
God’s call to ministry, the commitment of the candidate to the work of God, and the church’s
approval of the candidate for the ministry. It is important to note that an ordination is not a
bestowal but an acknowledgment that God has bestowed certain gifts and has called the minister.
Thus, who ordains? The church, in acknowledgment of God’s calling of a certain individual.
Who is ordained? Someone whose calling is evident and has shown the gifts given by the Holy
Spirit to work for the gospel of Christ. How does the ordination happen?
1. First, the minister expresses his or her intention to be ordained. He or she must be a
person who has been called by God to ministry and has shown gifts for God’s work
2. Second, the church recognizes God’s calling and gifts for the candidate. They
acknowledge and approve that the candidate is a minister of the gospel
3. Third, a council is formed by ordained pastors who will recommend to proceed with the
ordination. The council is formed by pastors of the denomination in the vicinity
4. And fourth, a service is held in which the candidate is acknowledged as minister and is
commissioned for the work of the gospel
Different traditions do the process differently. In my denomination (Mexican Baptists), the
examination happens in the service. The following is an outline example of an ordination service.

Ordination service:
An ordination service is a worship service to God. In this context, the candidate offers an
exposition of his or her conversion, calling, ministry, commitments, and doctrinal beliefs. The
council deliberates and the church commits the candidate to the work of the gospel. The church
where the candidate is serving is invited to the service together with other churches of the
denomination.
 Prayer of invocation
 Song of praise
 Welcome
 Introductory statement (a brief explanation of what an ordination is and a brief
introduction of the candidate)
 Exposition: the candidate presents his or her:
o Christian life (conversion, calling, education, and experience in ministry)
o Doctrinal beliefs (about revelation, Scripture, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit,
creation, humanity, sin, salvation, the church, and the final times)
o Ethical beliefs (about how Christians are to act in accordance with their beliefs
both inside and outside the church setting)
 Interrogatory: the council asks specific questions and comments to the candidate’s
exposition
 Deliberation: the council deliberates privately while the church worships God
 Song of commitment
 Ordination
o The council presents their answer: the council commends the candidate and
makes suggestions when appropriate (usually the candidate is approved and the
expectation of the answer should not cause any stress)
o The washing of feet: one member of the council or the pastor of the candidate
washes his or her feet (this is something in particular that my denomination does)
o The ordination prayer: the ordained ministers pray for the candidate while laying
their hands on him or her
 Song of blessing
 Benediction

You might also like