What Is Christian Ordination?
Many Christians, with a commitment to God and a dedication to the church, want to become ordained in order to perform the duties of legal officials within the church. It's a feat that requires steadfastness in studying the Word and a humble spirit to serve. Yet, it's surprising to learn that although there are academic and character prerequisites, many ordained Christians have never even been to a Christian Bible School.
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Ordination
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Christian ordination is the process whereby Christians can be ordained or designated as legal clergy persons. Many of the office titles of ordained Christians endorse the full legal authority to perform official Christian services such as wedding ceremonies, baptisms, funeral services and baby dedications. The process and type of ordination varies according to religion and denomination.
Ordained Christians also have the legal right to work as professionals within a Christian office or to begin their own church or ministry.
Legal Titles
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Legal titles of ordained Christians include minister, pastor, reverend, evangelist, chaplain, apostle, missionary, elder, deacon, preacher, bishop and prophet. The different titles sanction different responsibilities and authorities within specific denominations.
For example, a minister has full legal rights to be head of a congregation of people, also called the church. The minister can perform all the official Christian duties such as marry people and preach to the congregation. A deacon, however, has limited authority that includes assisting the pastor and working with the congregation in church sub-ministries under the minister such as Sunday school or Youth Classes.
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How to Become Ordained
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There are several options available for people to obtain the legal title of ordained Christian.
One way is to purchase the title and be instantly recognized as an ordained Christian. Another way is to enroll in a college or university program, be it physical college or online and earn the degree that is recognized by churches that would then qualify the Christian to be ordained. The third way is to serve within a Christian church and earn the title of ordained Christian.
Instant Christian Ordination
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Christians who believe they are called by God to be pastors or preachers, but who have had no formal college or university training, can apply online for an application for instant Christian ordination. Once the papers are filled out and signed, the applicant would then return them with the appropriate fee to the official that has the authority to issue certificates. Within days, the Christian can receive her legal certificate declaring her as an ordained minister.
These online services don't teach Bible lessons, Biblical theologies or Christian doctrine because it's assumed that the applicant is a Christian with a heart to serve God. Their purpose is to simply issue certifications to applicants. Three such sites are 'Get Ordained Now', 'World Christianship Ministries' and 'The Universal Church'.
Many Christian churches have issues with this method of Christian ordination because the person has obtained a title that she did not earn by studying the Bible or by proving her commitment and character or dedication to God.
Bible College and Christian Universities
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There are college courses being offered, online and at Christian colleges, as well as universities, that allow Christians who want to officiate their commitment to God and elaborate on their responsibilities in the Christian community, to attain an earned degree. These courses can vary from two to five years with students earning a Bachelors of Arts in the Ministry.
Redeemer College is one example of a very reputable college, and likewise, the University of Oral Roberts is known for its dedication to teaching Christians. The Church of Nazarene offers online college courses, as well, for Christians who have a commitment to study God's Word.
These graduates would now have the academic qualifications that many Christian churches require as a prerequisite to becoming an ordained Christian. However, the Christians would then have to work within the church in an apprentice-like capacity to prove commitment and character, as well as an acceptable application of knowledge to the people before becoming ordained. At that point, it often becomes a church celebration as the pastor ordains them publicly.
Many mainline denominations go a step further and require that candidates for ordination earn an M.Div. degree from an accredited seminary. This is a post-graduate degree, requiring a Bachelor's degree (not necessarily in theology) prior to admission. Before being ordained, these candidates must pass psychological evaluations and be approved by their denomination's governing body. In many cases they are required to pass intense ordination examinations showing their knowledge of Scripture, church polity, history and pastoral issues.
Inner Church Ordinations
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Many churches will recognize the dedication and wisdom of some mature Christians and promote them because these people have proved to meet the qualifications of an ordained Christian.
For example, Pentecostal and Word Churches seek out people who have proved that they are knowledgeable in the Word, understand and follow church policy, and who are dedicated and committed to teaching the Bible. When the church is looking for legal positions such as deacons or prophets to be filled in the church, the pastor will offer it to these people first because there is a confidence that the applicants are worthy of being ordained.
Opportunities to Ordained Christians
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As an ordained Christian minister, there are unlimited opportunities available to work within the Christian ministry and with full legal authority within a church or at home. Every ordained minister has the authorization to perform private weddings at home or in parks and gardens, or even to become a guest minister to perform marriages in other churches. Ministers who specialize in weddings are called Wedding Ministers.
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