Ordination Requirements

Transcription

1 Ordination Requirements Christ-Centered Learning Anytime, Anywhere

2 Many CUGN students are completing their studies with us in order to serve God in some area of ministry. For those considering ordination, we are providing some basic information about the process for several major denominations as listed below. We encourage students interested in ordination within a particular denomination to visit the appropriate website(s) for more complete information. This document is meant to provide summary information only. NOTE: The sources for all of the information in this document are the websites of the various denominations as listed under the denomination name. 2

3 Table of Contents Anglican... 4 American Baptist... 5 Assemblies of God... 9 Episcopal Evangelical Lutheran Evangelical Presbyterian Reformed Church in America Roman Catholic Southern Baptist United Methodist Wesleyan

4 Anglican (Anglican Church of the Americas) The Anglican Church of the Americas is an orthodox Anglican network of churches, ministries, dioceses, and provinces in the tradition of convergence theology and spirituality which emphasizes the evangelical, charismatic, and liturgical and sacramental aspects of the faith passed down by the Lord Jesus Christ to the Apostles and Bishops of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Candidates who are interested in applying for ordination or incardination should contact the following: The Rev. Fr. Len Gavin Chair, Committee on Holy Orders 2211 Regency Drive Bessemer, AL Please note that each diocese or province in the Anglican Church of the Americas has its own specific qualifications for the ordained ministry (the priesthood and the diaconate), but examples of the general requirements are: Application letter Letters of Recommendation Background Checks Educational Requirements Working Knowledge of the Liturgy and Sacraments of the Anglican Tradition Personal Interviews with Diocesan Committees on Holy Orders Personal Interviews with Diocesan Ordinaries Doctrinal Statements Spousal Approval Statement of Purity Clear Vision for the Ordained Ministry Acceptance of the Canons of the Church Acceptance of the Creeds of the Church (Apostles, Nicene, etc.) Other Requirements According to the Diocese to which application is made Final Approval by the Diocesan Bishop 4

5 American Baptist 1. PREREQUISITES FOR ORDINATION (American Baptist Standards for Ordination) The most important prerequisite for ordination, the call of God to a specialized ministry, does not yield itself to particular standards which a denomination or local congregation might establish. This is why the call must be tested by other prerequisites or standards, especially those having to do with licensing as first step toward ordination, meeting educational standards, and a prior call to a specific place of service in which the candidate intends to serve as an ordained minister. In these three areas it is quite appropriate that the local and the wider church (in the case of denomination, American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.) establish standards for ordination. 2. LICENSING The candidate for ordination should be licensed by the church in which membership is held, in cooperation with the proper Association or Region at least six months prior to ordination. This provides the opportunity and the impetus for the church, both on the local and the wider level, to be involved in preparations for the ordination as well as to be a part of the Ordination Council. There are a variety of practices in the denomination which determine whether the Region or Association participates in the particular process of licensing as a first step to ordination. A. Significance 1. A local church, well acquainted with the candidate, is making public the fact that the individual apparently possesses the ability and the spiritual and emotional qualities necessary for ministry, and that the academic training required for ordination is being received. 2. By receiving the candidate under their watchcare, a local church and the department of ministry are expected to give regular counsel in regard to vocation and professional training. Such counseling should be performed by the pastor, appropriate board or committee of the church, or the department of ministry. B. Procedure 1. The candidate makes known the desire to be licensed to the pastor and the appropriate committee of the church where he or she is a member. The candidate then will be interviewed to determine eligibility for licensing. 2. The church then requests the department of ministry to meet with the candidate. 3. Upon the recommendation of the department and the affirmative vote of the local church, recognition as a licensed candidate for ordination will be granted to the candidate. 4. The local church notifies the department of ministry of its action. C. Duration It is made clear to the candidate that the license is granted in anticipation of ordination and that it is valid for a 5

6 maximum of four years unless the congregation revokes it. 3. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE There are three tracks which a candidate for ordination and ministry may pursue. Track I is considered to be the track most candidates will pursue in the American Baptist Churches. Any candidate wishing to pursue Track II or Track III MUST meet all requirements of these tracks and secure the written permission of the department of ministry PRIOR to entering either of these tracks. The candidate for ordination shall meet the following educational standards: Track I A. The education prerequisites as adopted by the American Baptist Convention in 1961: RESOLVED, That the educational standards of four years of college and three years of seminary (the A.B. and B. D. [now M.Div.] degrees or their standard equivalents) be the educational prerequisites for the recognition by the American Baptist Churches of candidates ordained after and including January 1, This action is not retroactive. It will in nowise affect the manner in which American Baptist Churches pastors ordained before January 1, 1965, shall be recognized. This action is accompanied with a call to all local ordination councils and local churches to prepare... prospective candidates for the implementation of this standard in 1965 (1961 ABC Year Book, pp ). It is the understanding of the Ministerial Leadership Commission that North American seminaries will be accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. In those cases where seminary education takes place in other than North American settings, refer to Track II. B. A functional knowledge of American Baptist history and polity. This normally can be satisfied by a seminarylevel course on both the history and polity of American Baptists or by a rigorous self-study course approved by the candidate s Region. C. The candidate s professional ethics and intention of cooperation must be affirmed by accepting the Covenant and Code of Ethics of the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches. All persons seeking ordination will have completed a course in professional ethics offered either by a seminary or a region. This course will consider areas such as professional boundary issues, relationships, confidentiality, ethics in financial matters, and other related issues which can dramatically affect the relationship between pastor and people. D. Candidacy assessment. Ordained ministry involves more than academic attainment; it calls for ongoing pastoral competence, emotional and spiritual maturity, and consistent Christian character. Therefore, candidates for ordination will complete a comprehensive career and candidacy assessment program sponsored by or in consultation with an American Baptist related Career Development Center within five years prior to examination by the regional department of ministry. (Candidates of Track I are encouraged to complete this requirement no later than the first year of their seminary preparation.) Track II A. The primary education prerequisite for the recognition of candidates for ordination within the American Baptist Churches is reaffirmed to be four years of college and three years of seminary (the B.A. and M.Div. degrees or their equivalents). College, seminary, or higher education are terms used throughout this document to mean posthigh school study in regionally or nationally accredited institutions of higher education, such study to have been 6

7 done for credit while enrolled in a degree program. B. Their equivalent may mean an experiential equivalent verified by the appropriate committee of the region as provided in this document. It may also mean another educational sequence (e.g., Ph.D. in religion) which may be approved by the department of ministry of the regional judicatory. C. Exceptions to the educational prerequisite are not encouraged, but in certain instances individuals may apply for the recognition of their ordination without having completed four years of college and three years of seminary on the following conditions: 1. Experience as an equivalent to educational preparation is granted on the basis of two years of satisfactory professional growth and ministerial performance for every one year of academic preparation that is lacking in the candidate s background, seven years of higher education being the norm. 2. The maximum experiential equivalency which may be granted is six (6) years, the equivalent to three (3) years of higher education. 3. To merit consideration as an exception to the educational prerequisite, the candidate s professional experience must meet the following criteria: a. It must have been within the broad range of professional leadership categories recognized by the registry of professional leaders of the ABC, U.S.A. Any requests to consider paraprofessional experiences must include substantiating evidence from third parties. b. It must have been full-time experience (twenty hours per week or more). c. It must be verified as to length and satisfactory professional growth and ministerial performance by the appropriate committee of the region, in which the candidate is presently serving. Satisfactory professional growth and ministerial performance is understood to include (in the judgment of such committees): -- satisfactory learning through the work experience; -- satisfactory growth in self-understanding and in understanding the nature and work of ministry; -- satisfactory competence in interpreting the Christian Gospel; -- satisfactory competence in understanding the forces shaping church and society; and -- satisfactory competence in leading the church community. d. Evidence concerning the individual s periodic involvement in professional continuing education experiences is required. The number and extent of such experiences will be weighed by the committee and utilized as one index of the candidate s seriousness in pursuance of professional competency. e. A functional knowledge of American Baptist history and polity. This can normally be satisfied by a seminarylevel course on both the history and polity of American Baptists or by a rigorous self-study course approved by the candidate s region. 7

8 f. The candidate s professional ethics and intention of cooperation must be affirmed by accepting the Covenant and Code of Ethics of the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches. All persons seeking ordination will have completed a course in professional ethics offered either by a seminary or a region. This course will include attention to areas such as professional boundary issues, relationships, confidentiality, ethics in financial matters, and other related issues which can dramatically affect the relationship between pastor and people. g. Candidacy assessment. Ordained ministry involves more than academic attainment; it calls for ongoing formation of pastoral competence, emotional and spiritual maturity, and Christian character. Therefore, candidates for ordination or recognition of non-abc ordination shall complete a comprehensive career and candidacy assessment program sponsored by or in consultation with an American Baptist related Career Development Center within five years prior to examination by the regional department of ministry. Track III If a regional department of ministry determines that alternative tracks to ordination are appropriate for an individual in the region, the following requirements for ordination will apply: A. Candidates must be sponsored by an American Baptist congregation. B. Candidates must qualify under one of the following requirements (or a combination acceptable to the region): 1. Satisfactory completion of seminary or comparable equivalent for ordination in another country, or 2. Satisfactory completion of a lay pastor program from a U.S. seminary or an ABC Region, or 3. Completion of at least seven years of pastoral service (deemed satisfactory by the region) as a pastor/lay minister of a church with at least three of those years in the region of the ordaining church. C. A functional knowledge of American Baptist history and polity. This normally can be satisfied by a seminary level course on both the history and polity of American Baptists or by a rigorous self-study course approved by the candidate s region. D. Candidacy assessment. Ordained ministry involves more than academic attainment; it calls for ongoing formation of pastoral competence, emotional and spiritual maturity, and Christian character. Therefore, candidates for ordination will complete a comprehensive career and candidacy assessment program sponsored by or in consultation with an American Baptist related Career Development Center within five years prior to examination by the regional department of ministry E. The candidate s professional ethics and intention of cooperation must be affirmed by accepting the Covenant and Code of Ethics of the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches. All persons seeking ordination will have completed a course in professional ethics offered either by a seminary or a region. This course will include attention to areas such as professional boundary issues, relationships, confidentiality, ethics in financial matters, and other related issues which can dramatically affect the relationship between pastor and people. F. Candidates will be examined on issues of conversion and Christian identity, call to ministry, biblical and theological convictions (including Baptist history, polity, structure, and function), pastoral competence, and character (including ministerial ethics and spiritual disciplines). 8

9 4. STEPS TOWARD ORDINATION A. The Candidate 1. The candidate will take the necessary steps for licensing. 2. After conferring with his/her pastor, the candidate will seek counsel from the region s department of ministry as to procedures leading to ordination. 3. The candidate will be responsible for submitting documents as required by the region. 4. The candidate will inform the pastor and the appropriate local church committee concerning his/her readiness to proceed with the ordination process. 5. The candidate will select a sponsor. The role of the sponsor is to elicit the candidate s theological stance, the individual s understanding of who he/she is as a person, and the individual s concept of ministry. Assemblies of God The Process of Ordination Ordination in the Assemblies of God is an orderly process which involves prescribed key personnel, advancement in ministerial levels, examination, and the ordination service itself. Organizational Structure and Ordination The key personnel in the organizational structure with respect to ordination of a minister are his pastor, presbyter and sectional committee, and district superintendent and district presbytery. The pastor is essential to process as the one who grooms the candidate spiritually, trains him for ministry, and recommends him to the presbyter and/or examining committee. The district council ordination committee examines the candidate ultimately, and the district superintendent and the district presbytery ordain him. The General Council Executive Presbytery recognizes the ordination by the district, and the General Council executive officers witness to the ordination by their signatures and seal on the ordination certificate. Steps to Ordination A person seeking ordination in the Assemblies of God seeks counsel from his pastor and a letter of recommendation from him to the sectional presbyter. The presbyter arranges for the candidate to fill out an application for additional credentials with the district and be examined by the sectional committee. Upon their approval, he is granted initial credentials by the district. He must maintain an acceptable ministry at the licensed level for a minimum of 2 years and be at least 23 years of age before being invited to 9

10 write for ordination. This is to insure his maturity personally and professionally ( not a novice, 1 Timothy 3:6). Upon his presentation of an application for ordination to the sectional presbyter, he is examined again by the sectional committee. On their approval, he is allowed to meet the district council ordination committee by whom he is examined once more. Upon their approval, he is ordained in a special service at the district council and receives an ordination certificate from the General Council. This credential is renewed annually by the minister filling out a questionnaire, which is filed with his district and the General Council. Examination for Ordination The sectional committee and/or the district council ordination committee by written examination and oral interview shall examine the candidate upon the following points: 1. The genuineness of his Christian experience 2. The reality of his divine call to the ministry 3. The sufficiency of his spiritual, moral, emotional, and social maturity. 4. The sufficiency and correctness of his understanding of Bible content and doctrine 5. The adequacy of his preparation and practical abilities. 6. The acceptability of his knowledge of and allegiance to the Movement s policies and programs. The Ceremony of Ordination The Assemblies of God stresses the importance of the spiritual quality of the ordination service as opposed to a formal ritual. While we do not believe, as the sacramentalists do, that a supernatural grace and power are communicated by our words and hands, we do believe fully that Christ can and will (if He hasn t already) impart the grace and power necessary to the fulfillment of the ministry as we pray and lay hands on the ordinand. Thus the ordination service provides, in addition to its public acknowledgement that the ordinand has been called, commissioned, and qualified for mature ministry, an opportunity for the minister to make a fuller consecration of his life and receive the maximum grace and power for service. It provides opportunity for one of the most significant spiritual experiences of his life. Typical Assemblies of God ordination services include fasting, prayer for candidates with the imposition of hands by the elders, preaching, a scriptural charge, and other New Testament elements of worship. 10

11 Episcopal The Episcopal Church ordains to both the diaconate and the priesthood through a multi-year ordination process. While the roles of these two ordained ministries are distinct, they share certain core requirements and responsibilities. Both require consultative, educational, spiritual and vocational commitments from the individual seeking ordination. The Episcopal Church offers the following list of foundational gifts for the priestly ministry: Sense of self: self-knowledge, psychological health Personal integrity: authenticity, trustworthiness, dependability Intelligence: intellectual grasp of concepts and practical applications and implications of them. Spiritual depth: a tended relationship with God in Christ Sense of vocation for the ordained ministry: a call, a beckoning recognized as from God Leadership: initiative, vision, willingness to risk, ability to motivate others Sense of fitness of things: judgment, boundaries, etc. Loyalty to the institution of the Church: a healthy respect for the traditions and authority of the Church from a position of challenge as well as from a position of support. Steps toward becoming a Postulant for ordination to the Priesthood (Summary) N.B. National canons and diocesan guidelines give the Bishop oversight of the ordination process. What follows is a description of our customary practice. Nominees should bear in mind that the various steps may be modified on occasion at the Bishop s discretion. Nominee becomes involved member of a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of New York The nominee is an active member (an adult confirmed communicant) of a parish for a minimum of one year (or longer if required by the rector). During this time the nominee comes to know the parish and becomes known by parishioners and the clergy. Nominee discusses discernment with the rector The nominee and rector discuss the possibility of beginning parish discernment. Parish Discernment Committee is formed If the rector and nominee decide to initiate parish discernment, the nominee meets for some months with a group of laity appointed by the rector to serve as a discernment committee. Together they explore whether or not the nominee has shown the gifts and talents needed for priesthood in this Diocese. Rector writes sponsoring letter to Bishop Sisk The rector writes to the Bishop sponsoring the nominee for postulancy. For an outline of the categories this letter should contain see the website or contact the Office of Ministry. Included with the letter is a description of the parish discernment by which the nominee has been identified for recommendation to the Bishop for ordination. Rector and Vestry submit canonical form indicating parish support If the rector and vestry decide to sponsor the nominee, they sign a Parish Recommendation attesting to this sponsorship and pledging support. This form will be sent to the rector after the Bishop has received the 11

12 sponsoring letter. Nominee completes application and essays Materials are sent directly to the nominee after the rector s sponsoring letter has been received by the Bishop. Nominee completes:(1) physical evaluation; (2) psychological evaluation; and (3) background check Please refer to the sheet About the Physical and Psychological Evaluations. Bishop reviews the nominee s file The Bishop reviews the file and decides if the nominee should proceed to the preliminary interview stage of Diocesan discernment. Nominee completes three preliminary interviews If the Bishop decides to continue the discernment with the Diocese, the nominee is invited to schedule separate preliminary interviews with three members of the Commission on Ministry and/or the Standing Committee. Following each interview, the interviewer recommends to the Bishop that the nominee continue or not continue with Diocesan discernment. Bishop reviews the nominee s file Following this review, the Bishop decides if the nominee should proceed by attending a discernment conference. Nominee attends a Discernment Conference At the Bishop s request, the nominee is invited to attend a discernment conference. These conferences are normally scheduled twice a year. Conference interviewers vote either to recommend or not to recommend the nominee to the Bishop for postulancy. Bishop reviews the file and recommendations and meets with the nominee to discuss the possibility of postulancy The Bishop meets with the nominee and makes a decision about appointing the nominee to postulancy. Bishop consults with Standing Committee before admitting a new postulant. The new postulant begins formation at the Bishop s direction at a seminary approved by the Bishop. Nominees for the priesthood are strongly advised not to begin theological study before they are granted postulancy because the choice of a seminary to attend must be approved by the Bishop. Evangelical Lutheran (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) If you think you have a calling to become a leader of the ELCA, give your call a voice. Talk to your pastor, youth director, music minister, or another church leader about your call. If God is calling for you to become a rostered leader, learn about candidacy, then contact your synod office to begin the process. Candidacy is the name of a process. This process raises up, prepares, certifies and places public leaders in the ELCA. Public ministers include commissioned Associates in Ministry, consecrated Diaconal Ministers and Deaconesses, 12

13 and ordained Pastors. The candidacy process is a partnership among candidate, synod, seminary, candidacy committee and the Vocation and Education unit. The candidacy committee of your synod acts on behalf of the ELCA in discerning with you the rostered ministry to which you are called: ordained or lay (Associate in Ministry, Deaconess, or Diaconal Ministry). In the Lutheran tradition, a person s individual or internal sense of call to ordained, commissioned, or consecrated ministry must be confirmed by the larger community of the church (external call). By the power of the Holy Spirit, the candidacy process invites chosen representatives of the church to determine whether a person s character, ability, health and wellness, spiritual formation, preparation, and commitment are appropriate for the roster on which that person seeks to serve. The candidacy committee of each synod has the responsibility for approving a candidate for rostered ministry in this church. Following approval, a public call is made by a Christian assembly to the form of ministry for which the candidate has prepared. Although all application materials for candidacy (including the entire revised Candidacy Manual) are now available on line, your journey begins when you contact your synod office. Your pastor can help you make this contact. At the synod office, you will be directed to the persons who can tell you the details of the candidacy process, what forms are necessary and how to complete them. These persons will also set up your initial interview and provide the necessary information so that you can begin your background check and an appointment can be made for your psychological evaluation. All candidacy forms must now be filled out on line and submitted electronically to your synod. The entrance application should also be submitted to the ELCA. If you are unable to submit your forms electronically, contact your synod office. When your application materials are complete, including the Entrance Information form and Congregation Registration form, the synod candidacy committee will meet with you for an Entrance Interview. A positive entrance decision is required in order for an ELCA seminary to officially accept you for the appropriate theological program. The journey toward commissioning, consecration, or ordination for ministry provides ongoing opportunities for discernment, growth, and development of your identity as a rostered leader of the ELCA. Your participation in the candidacy process is a significant part of preparation and formation. The people who serve on candidacy committees are deeply dedicated to serving as partners with you in this important journey of your life. The church seeks out those who would serve as faithful witnesses to the good news of Jesus Christ in the mission fields of our world today. On behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I welcome you to the candidacy process. May God stir you with gifts of faith and hope as you offer yourself as a person willing to provide rostered leadership in the ELCA. GUIDE TO THE PROCESS: (Slide Show) CANDIDACY FORMS Source: ELCA website as listed above. 13

14 Evangelical Presbyterian (Evangelical Presbyterian Church) Assuming that one meets the biblical qualifications and has an inner sense of call, the process for becoming an ordained minister in the EPC involves: Being a member of an EPC congregation for at least six months Receiving Session endorsement as a person called to be a minister of the Word Applying to and interviewing with the appropriate presbytery committee Being examined by presbytery and approved as a Candidate Under Care Being under care of presbytery for a period of time (ordinarily a minimum of one year) Fulfilling educational requirements Bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university Seminary degree: M.Div. or equivalent including Koine Greek and Hebrew Sustaining written examinations in Theology, Sacraments & Reformed Tradition, English Bible, the Book of Order and the nature of the office of Minister of the Word. Sustaining oral examinations in all the areas above, Christian experience of the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ and progress in spiritual growth. Receiving an approved call In general terms, EPC ministers are expected to hold a high view of scripture and be able to receive and adopt the system of doctrine contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms of this Church as containing the system of doctrine taught in Holy Scripture. Those seeking ordination in the EPC must put in writing any exceptions they may have to the Westminster standards. Presbytery votes to disallow them or to allow them if they are not considered affecting the Confession s system of doctrine. (Westminster Theological Seminary) Ordination Process Ordination is usually required prior to the acquisition of full-time pastoral ministry. This section covers the ordination process of major Presbyterian denominations, and describes where you can find information about the ordination process for some other denominations. It is advisable to begin the ordination process as early in your Westminster career as possible so that you can tailor your time to best meet the requirements for ordination. If you begin the steps early, you may find that you are eligible for ordination soon after graduation. This is particularly true for denominations that require a mandatory waiting period between the initial stages of pursuing ordination and ordination itself. Beginning the process while you are in the later stages of your time in seminary may significantly delay ordination, resulting in an uncomfortable interim period between graduation and full-time ministry. 14

15 Reformed Church in America (Union Theological Seminary) The Reformed Church in America outlines its ordination process for Ministers of Word and Sacrament as a progression from the individual s sense of call through ordination as follows: Internal call/external call a personal sense of call affirmed by the church Local church consistory (governing body) applies on behalf of the applicant to the classis (regional governing body) Candidate appears before the classis or its committee for an interview. Classis petitions the General Synod (national governing body) for a Certificate of Fitness for Ministry, which will be issued upon completion of all requirements by the candidate no sooner than 27 months after the petition is received. Education (Master of Divinity degree) Ordination + (Reformed Churches of America) (Ordination Process Chart) Roman Catholic Admission to Holy Orders through Ordination (Reformed Catholic Church International) Each candidate for the Holy Orders through Ordination to the order of Deacon and Presbyter will be required to complete a rigorous program of preparation. This preparation will include required study in Holy Scripture, Sacramental, Moral, and Systematic Theology, Christology, Church history, Pastoral Care, etc. It will also require extensive supervised ministry and personal spiritual development of the candidate. The Reformed Christian Church International through its College of Bishops administers this program of preparation in coordination with the candidate s assigned spiritual director. This is not a degree program, but serves solely to prepare clergy candidates for ordained ministry in the Reformed Christian Church International. The Reformed Christian Church International does not have a residential seminary program at this time. Minimum Requirements Candidates for Deacon must be at least 21 years old, and have received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. Candidates for Presbyter (priest) must be at least 25 years old, have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Order of Deacon and have received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. 15

16 Candidates for the Episcopacy (Bishops) must be at least 35 years old, have been a priest for at least 5 years, and have functioned in a valid ministry for at least one year. Bishops must also be elected to the Episcopacy by vote of the clergy and College of Bishops. Incardinating bishops require a two year probationary period prior to incardination during which they will minister as presbyters with temporary faculties. At the conclusion of that probationary period, they must be incardinated by unanimous vote of the College of Bishops. Duration of training Applicants for Holy Orders can expect to spend considerable time in preparation for ordination to facilitate both factual and academic training, and mutual discernment of the true Will of God for the candidate. The actual amount of time of preparation for each candidate is in the discretion of the College of Bishops having jurisdiction and will be influenced by a variety of factors. Mutual Discernment. While recognizing that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to each according to the Spirit s Will, it is, nevertheless, the duty of the Church to discern the Will of the Spirit for those who may seek service to God through ordination. Thus ordination to the Sacrament of Holy Orders is not a right that one receives by virtue of being a member of the Church, nor is it given to everyone who asks for it. Rather, it is a privileged gift of the Holy Spirit given on an individual basis (cf. 1 Corinthians 12, et al.). Not everyone who experiences a desire for ordination can, should, or will be ordained. Southern Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention) Actually, there is no standard process or policy concerning ordination in the SBC. In fact, the SBC cannot ordain anyone. The matter of ordination is addressed strictly on a local church level. Some SBC churches require seminary training from an SBC seminary, while others may not, such a requirement is entirely up to the church... If you are a member of an SBC church and sense the Lord may be leading you into ministry, you may want to speak to the pastor and ask for his assistance. SBC: General Guidelines for Ordination and License for Ministry Every Southern Baptist church is autonomous and establishes its own policies. However, there are some traditional practices, which seem to be followed by most SBC churches. Each local church determines whom they will ordain. Associations, state conventions, or the Southern Baptist Convention do not ordain. License The licensing is the church s tentative approval for a man to serve until he has proved himself qualified for 16

17 ordination. In regard to the practice of granting a license for a minister the following steps are usually taken: 1. The person to be licensed makes a public decision in the church and expresses his feeling that God is specifically calling him to ministry. 2. He requests the church to grant him a license. 3. The church votes on the request to grant the license. 4. A Certificate of License (which can be purchased at a Christian book store) is filled out and presented to the minister. Ordination Ordination usually takes place when a minister begins serving in a church. In regard to ordination the following are the traditional steps: 1. A church calls a minister as pastor or to a position in some field of ministry (such as education, music, youth, etc.). 2. The church who calls the person may perform the ordination, or request the minister s home church to perform the ordination. 3. The pastor, a minister, or the chairman of deacons of the ordaining church presents the request to the church and asks for permission to convene an Examining Council or an Ordination Council. The church should not be hasty in ordaining an individual. It should be certain he has the scriptural qualifications to serve as a minister. The candidate should prove himself before he is considered for ordination. 4. If the request is approved, a time and place is established for the Ordination Council and ordained persons (deacons and ministers) are invited. These may be persons who are members of that particular church as well as ordained persons from other churches. Either a formal invitation or a letter of invitation should be sent to the neighboring Baptist Churches inviting all ordained persons to participate in the ordination council. If the questioning of the candidate and the ordination service is to be conducted on the same day the invitation can include inviting all interested persons to the ordination service. 5. The pastor, a minister, the director of missions, or the chairman of deacons presides over the Ordination Council until a chairman is elected. The chairman leads in the questioning of the person to be ordained. Usually the person being ordained is seated so that he is facing those who are asking questions. Any person who is present may ask questions. Usually the person being ordained is asked to briefly tell of his conversion experience and also his call to the Gospel Ministry. Other questions may be centered around Biblical theology, ethics, morals, personal beliefs, etc. 6. The Ordination Council votes on whether to recommend that the church proceed with the ordination of the candidate. The council may choose to delay the ordination or even reject the candidate. That is why it may be best to hold the council one week prior to the ordination service. 7. If the Council votes to recommend ordination, the pastor or chairman of the Ordination Council presents the recommendation to the church, either at a regular business meeting or a called business meeting, for church approval. 8.* If the church approves, a date for an Ordination service is set. The service follows the order of a regular 17

18 worship service with modifications. Someone (or two people) may give a charge to the candidate and a charge to the church Appropriate music is selected. Someone may preach an ordination sermon. Someone will pray an ordination prayer and ordained persons will lay on hands. The person being ordained may be presented a Bible and along with his wife and family receive the congratulations of the people after the benediction. The service should be not more than one hour in length. 9. A Certificate of Ordination is presented (may be purchased at a Christian book store or printed on a good computer). Source: SBC website as listed above. United Methodist First Steps Local Pastor Ordained.htm (General Board of Higher Education & Ministry) Read The Christian as Minister. Discuss your insights with a clergy person or candidacy mentor. This book is available for purchase at Contact a pastor, a deacon or elder, or the district superintendent, to inquire about admission into the candidacy process. The district superintendent is responsible for inviting candidates to enter the candidacy process. Participate in a candidacy mentoring group or meet with a candidacy mentor (as determined by the annual conference) to complete Fulfilling God s Call: Guidelines for Candidacy (Candidacy Guidebook) and refine/verbalize call to ministry Becoming a Certified Candidate Local Pastor Show proof of a minimum one year membership in the UMC or other United Methodist ministry setting. Register online in the Candidacy Application System and pay the candidacy application fee. Meet with the district Committee on Ordained Ministry (dcom) to discuss your call to licensed ministry and your written statement of call. Complete all steps required to become a certified candidate as listed in and determined by the annual conference. Complete Orientation to Ministry as scheduled by your annual conference. Educational Requirements and Academic Qualifications Local Pastor High school diploma or equivalent Licensing School required in order to receive a License for Pastoral Ministry. Basic Course of Study A prescribed theological education course for Local Pastors that is designed for a five-year period. Advanced Course of Study Includes 32 semester hours of graduate theological study, which begins after the Basic Course of Study is completed. 18

19 Continuing Steps Local Pastor Annual renewal of the License for Pastoral Ministry. Local pastors may continue to serve in that capacity after completion of Course of Study or after meeting additional requirements local pastors may apply for Associate Membership in an annual conference. After completion of Advanced Course of Study and meeting additional requirements, local pastors or associate members may apply for provisional membership leading to ordination in an annual conference. Wesleyan Academic Requirements for Ordination in the Wesleyan Church (chart) Chart to Ordination ordination.pdf 19