Ordination Council & Questions

I can't imagine a church ordaining a man that they have not heard preach many times. I believe this is why a church calling a first-time pastoral candidate traditionally asks the candidate's current church to ordain them. If we require hearing a candidate preach in order to license them, why would we not expect at least that high a standard in the process of ordination. Of course, Johnathon, this is not an issue for you since you have been in the church for years and have been the interim for several months.

 

I attended an ordination council meeting last Sunday afternoon. The candidate had preached at many, many different churches over the last 2 yrs, and many people that had attended those churches were also there, so one Pastor asked to hear from the people concerning the candidate's sermons... Some commented.. some didn't.. One even gave constructive criticism concerning the candidates habit of speaking softly.. and the fact that older people have hearing aids...

I was encouraged at the way the candidate took this criticism.. more than his answers..

Of course, we as Pastors make up our association's ordaining committee.. so I had already had the chance to question him last month...

Last month, I asked him a question about something in the Gospels..
In Luke, the renting of the veil in the temple is mentioned before Jesus gives up the ghost... in Mark, it is mentioned after Jesus gives up the Ghost.. and I asked him to explain this contradiction...

Actually, I was looking for 2 things... (I didn't reallly care about the answer to the question.. I was looking for the way he handled himself)

1) his ability to say, "I don't know, but I will check it out." which shows his humbleness...
2) His courage to stand up to me and say that there are no contradictions in the Bible...

He passed both tests!...

To me, the best indication that someone is called to preach is

1).. The Bible has final authority in theological questions, and is perfect.
2).. The person must be humble enough to not be a know-it-all!

 

These sermons came during the ordination, not before the council.

I have known of some ordination councils that could not have possibly heard the candidate preach.

It's customary to have the candidate share something during an ordination, be it a testimony, sermon, just a word of thanks....you get the idea.

I still have both ordination bibles I was given. One I use, the other is just a keepsake that I hope to pass down through the generations.

 

A candidate for ordination should have already proved himself in ministry. Hence. he should have a good oral knowledge of Baptist distinctives, which includes the relative scriptures. This will prove his grasp of scripture and what Baptist means.

The candidate will usually read a short, written statement of His beliefs and actions, including his pastoral experience to date.

Certain questions will be asked by those sitting to ascertain the candidates abiity to stand for the truth of scripture, the purpose of ministry and role of the pastor.

Too many details ought not to be entertained, given the novitiate at the pulpit.

This knowledge should serve the candidate.

Cheers,

Jim

 

When I went before the ordiantion council (a group of pasotrs from the association) the first pastor said "Tell me about your call to the ministry."

They went on to questions of vision and doctrine. The questions were not hard. They just wanted to know where I stood. They were willing to offer advice and assistance. It took about an hour.

My advice - be who you are, not a copy of some "great preacher".

 

I probably should have added that the questions may have been tempered to match my education or lack thereof. No degree in Theology.