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Pastor's Ordination

The Full Story
Why Consider Ordination?
Ordination not only affirms the calling of the individual but also serves as a testament to those considering a candidate for a position within their church. It acts as a form of reference, indicating that respected leaders believe the individual is called and worthy of the role. This principle is illustrated in the Book of Acts when Paul meets Timothy.
The Importance of Ordination for Pastors
The purpose of ordination is twofold:
1. Devotion to Ministry:
It signifies that the individual has committed their life to the ministry of the church.
2. Church Approval:
It indicates that the church recognizes and authorizes the individual to serve in a ministerial capacity. Ordination is, therefore, a recognition of God’s call and the church’s endorsement.
The modern definition of ordination is often described as “the investiture of clergy” or “the act of granting pastoral authority or sacerdotal power.” Typically, we envision an ordination service as a ceremony where someone is commissioned or appointed to a church position, often involving the laying on of hands.
However, the biblical definition of ordination differs slightly. The term "ordain" in the Bible refers to a setting in place or designation. For example:
Joseph was “ordained” as a ruler in Egypt (Acts 7:10).
The steward in Jesus’ parable was “ordained” to oversee a household (Matthew 24:45).
Deacons were “ordained” to serve the Jerusalem church (Acts 6:1-6).
Pastors were “ordained” in each city in Crete (Titus 1:5).
In none of these instances is the mode of ordination specified, nor is any ceremony detailed; the “ordinations” are simply appointments. The term can even be used negatively, as in an appointment to punishment (Luke 12:46).
A notable example of ministerial appointment is found in Acts 13:2-4:
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
This passage highlights several key points:
Divine Calling: It is God Himself who calls and qualifies individuals for ministry, equipping them with gifts (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11). Church Recognition: The church recognizes God’s clear leading and embraces it.
Commissioning: Through prayer and fasting, the church lays hands on Paul and Barnabas, demonstrating their commissioning (cf. Acts 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:22). Collaborative Effort: God works through the church, as both the church and the Spirit are said to “send” the missionaries.
Paul regularly ordained pastors for the churches he planted. He and Barnabas directed the appointment of elders “in each church” in Galatia (Acts 14:23) and instructed Titus to “appoint elders in every town” on Crete (Titus 1:5). Titus himself was ordained earlier when he was “chosen by the churches” (2 Corinthians 8:19). In these passages, the ordination of elders involves the whole congregation, not just the apostles. The Greek word used in 2 Corinthians 8:19 for Titus’s appointment and in Acts 14:23 for the choosing of the Galatian elders literally means “to stretch forth the hands.” This term was commonly used for voting in the Athenian legislature, indicating that the ordination of church leaders involved a general consensus within the church, if not an official vote. The apostles and the congregations recognized whom the Spirit had chosen and responded by placing those individuals in leadership.
When God calls and qualifies a person for ministry, it becomes evident to both the individual and the church community. The aspiring minister will meet the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-16 and Titus 1:5-9, and will possess a deep desire to preach (1 Corinthians 9:16). It is the responsibility of the church elders, along with the congregation, to recognize and affirm this calling. Following this recognition, a formal commissioning ceremony—an ordination service—can be appropriate, though it is not mandatory. The ordination ceremony itself does not confer any special power; rather, it publicly acknowledges God’s choice of leadership.