Get Ordained, Pastor!

OrdainedThis may seem a bit radical for my fellowship (Assemblies of God), but I would like to go on the record as saying that  ordination ought to be the aim of every pastor and not because of education, credentials, or prestige, but because it offers a testimony of faithfulness (at some level). To be ordained (in my tradition) requires one to be in ministry for a minimum of 2 years and a few extra courses (if one didn’t go through one of our official schools). This is quite minimal. I was ordained at 25 and would have been ordained at 24 except I was short of the two years by a couple of weeks (don’t get me started on that one).
I have a friend who has changed fellowships after much praying and seeking and is in a LONG process of seeking ordination in her new fellowship (Anglican). I’ve spoken with her several times about their process and it is a doozy. But I’m excited for her going through the process and seeking the affirmation that I believe is already hers in her years of faithful ministry up to this point. It will be wonderful when her bishop places his hands on her (do they do that in her tradition? No clue, but let’s pretend anyways) as testimony of her calling and faithfulness to the call.
So why should you seek ordination?

  • Seek ordination as an affirmation of God’s calling on your life.
  • Seek ordination as a call to greater discipleship.
  • Seek ordination as a testimony from those you serve concerning your faithfulness.
  • Seek ordination as a deeper commitment to your fellowship and its continuing maturation.

The problem that I’ve seen is that too many pastors who aren’t ordained in my fellowship look at it like they should never seek it. Like it is only about having to pay more fees (it does require that). Like it may mean more responsibility (it might if you then get elected to a sectional or district position which can only happen by being ordained). That’s just silliness. We should want to be tested and proven in our calling and ministry. We should desire to be the best minister we can be. Ordination does not guarantee this by any stretch, but a good minister should have NO reason to avoid ordination as early as possible. Be faithful where the Lord has placed you and let others affirm this through the process of being ordained! 🙂
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Originally blogged by me at bluechippastors.org on April 27, 2013.

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8 Responses to Get Ordained, Pastor!

  1. Thanks for this (realizing it’s an old post). I was recently recommended for ordination. I don’t care about the title (“reverend”), but it means a great deal to me in terms of God’s calling through community.

    • I’ve been ten logging posts that were lost because of a now defunct blog. Glad to know it was a timely message. 🙂

      • Dan says:

        A now defunct blog because we lacked bloggers who posted regularly… 😉
        At any rate, a good post (plus it saves you needing to constantly come up with new things, so you’re welcome for that, too).
        We put so little value on ordination, it is sad. I had to work years to get my youth pastor to the place of understanding ordination, which meant ignoring other A/G ministers and their attitudes around her! It would be my prayer at some point we make licensing a “temporary” step and give it an expiration date for each one licensed.
        In my opinion, we are credentialing far too many people with not much care. I ran into that frustration yet again this year because I am used as a reference multiple times for multiple candidates.
        My two cents.

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