Ordination

I took the poll. I'm an old-timer, too, it seems.

I surrendered to preach at age 16 and was licensed. I was ordained at age 21 when I accepted my first pastorate. I have helped ordain many pastors and deacons.

Thanks for the chance to express myself.

rufus

 

The local church actually called for and performed the ordination. Other local churches were invited, along with the secretary and president of the Baptist Union. All present were free to examine the candidate and make their recommendations to the local church deacons, who performed the laying on of hands and commissioning to pastoral ministry. The ordination certificate is signed by a deacon and by the secretary of the Baptist Union.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I must be a semi-old codger. I was ordained in 1978, July, 3rd Saturday night. There were 18 in the council, most I knew before that service, a few I did not. A general invitation went out, and several more ordained authority than that atteneded. The old meeting house was overflowing. It was a wonderful service. My family, members of my home church, members of the church that called me to be their only pastor. The only bad thing about the meeting was it was hard on my dad. He was an amputee, diabetic, heart patient, and it was hot, and he was miserable. I worried about him passing out there in the middle of the church house, but he made it through just fine. The following day was communion service, and I was allowed to officiate for the first time. I actually remember more about that than the ordination. It was also the first time that a Primitive Baptist ordination service was videotaped to my knowledge by academic types.

Jeff.

 

Not sure how long to say I have been ordained. I have only had 8 anniversaries, but I was ordained 29 years ago in 1974. On the 29th of February.

 

Mine was certainly a life-changing experience, and many people whose ministry had been very important to me participated.

In all seriousness Bob, did you really mean "men" or should I check how many men and women were on my ordination council? (For the record, of the 14 people on my ordination council, 6 were ordained women.)

I'm also curious about how many of you were encouraged to have clergy from other denominations on your councils? I had a Presbyterian and a Methodist, and the Episcopalian had a conflict that kept her from coming.

Joshua

 

In all sincerity, it make no sense at all to have other denominations or women in council for the ordination of a Baptist minister. Secondly, it is a local church function assisted by those of like precious faith and NOT a denominational function. Otherwise, I should take Spurgeon's posture of refusing ordination and say with him, "Why lay empty hands on empty heads?"

Cheers,

Jim

 

The poll didn't allow non-ordained or those open to ordaination but not seeking to either vote or continue thru the poll.

I was set aside as a young teen to ministry, but never "ordained" by men. I am still claiming the high road of being ordained by God.

 

One thing is for sure the Bible does not teach that we should ever ordain women to the office of elder. As a matter of fact the Bible teaches against the ordaining of women into the office of an elder.

 

Jim,

Within the Alliance and the CBF we do ordain women as well as men, so it made sense to have ordained women and men on the ordination council.

In addition, ecumenical accountability is particularly important within the Alliance where we view our baptist identity as a unique witness to Christ, not the unique witness to Christ. The clergy from other denominations were there because they knew me well and because I had recognized their calls and their ministries as authentic. They are seasoned ministers, and I greatly valued their input.

Joshua

[ March 07, 2003, 01:28 PM: Message edited by: Rev. Joshua ]

 

God's women can do God's work, too.

 

For that matter so can Episcopalians, Methodists, and Presbyterians .

 

Does that mean you'd consider "filling the pulpit" one Sunday when your pastor is out of town?

 

What verse is that?? 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 shows that women may "speak and prophesy" in church provided only that they dress modestly (Acts 18:26; Titus 2:3-5).

 

I have "filled the pulpit", if you will. I have put together a Sunday morning service or two or six, and have put together a Sunday evening service or 10 for many a pastor, including the one I currently serve with. This means "be responsible for".

 

Ordained in 1993 in the great state of Alerbama. My dad is a pastor. He gave the charge to the church and then gave me the charge. I felt like a teenager all over again. What a big responsibility. It still gives me chills when I see incoming mail, "Rev. so and so. Wow! that's me.

 

And it was all at my pastor's (at those times and churches) request and/or full support.