What is an Ordained Minister?

An ordained minister is a person specifically called upon to perform certain duties of the Christian ministry. Ordination requirements vary widely by denomination. Persons entering the ministry need to be sure that their personal beliefs are similar to those of the church in which they want to serve. Some denominations have rules of ordination; others leave the procedure up to the individual church.

Called to Serve

Ordained ministers have been spiritually called into Christian service. Their primary purpose is to minister by serving the needs of the local church body and surrounding community. This service is manifested in various forms--spiritual, physical, and practical.

Called to Comfort

Ordained ministers often are asked to be a comforter to their congregants and families during times of bereavement, sickness or crisis. This comfort may be given by being present during these hardships to pray for and with the ones experiencing the ordeal.

Called to Counsel

The service of counseling is often asked of ordained ministers. Being ordained does not necessarily mean that a minister has undergone formal training, but he can be used as a confidante who will not share personal information.

Called to Mediate

Ordained ministers may have to be called upon to act as an intermediary to help solve church conflicts among individual members or groups within the church. The minister is expected to be impartial and unbiased and only seek reconciliation of the issue.

Called to Teach

Ordained ministers do not have to be licensed teachers, but they act as teachers when they deliver sermons from the pulpit or when they lead Bible study classes. They are called upon to help congregants understand the meaning of scripture in the Bible as well as tenets of Christian living.