How to Ordain a Baptist Minister
When candidates have felt a call from God to go into full-time ministry they need to do several things: step into a ministry roll at a local church, have their pastor mentor them and go to college, then seminary. When a local church has called the candidate and they have begun to lead a church they are not yet ordained. What does it take to be an ordained minister in a Baptist church? There is a final step in becoming a Baptist pastor called ordination. Ordination is the process a Biblically qualified man goes through to assure himself and the congregation he serves that he is called by God to serve, he is grounded in Scripture, mature in his faith and handling his life well. Ordination is important because putting an unqualified, immature or morally questionable man into a position of influence and authority can be harmful, to the man, his family and his church. Ordination is a process that eliminates men from the office of pastor and protects the church. It can also serve as recognition that a man needs more training, accountability or time to prepare for a position of authority and service.
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Instructions
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How to Ordain a Baptist Minister
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Ordination is the Church’s responsibility, in preparation they need to provide the candidate with a confirmation of his calling, accountability, and a judgment as to if the man is qualified to lead according to scriptures, particularly the teachings found in 1 Timothy 3; 1-7 and Titus 1: 5-9. Each church is autonomous in the Baptist faith, so there is no set course for ordination. Typically the church that calls a pastor to serve will ordain him but a group of pastors from surrounding churches will help in the ordination process.
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A meeting is scheduled and pastors are invited to attend. The candidate will be questioned on doctrine, their personal life, whether or not they have their wife’s support, their faith life and their understanding of their job as a pastor and their understanding of the beliefs of the convention of Baptist churches the congregation belongs to. What the pastors who question the candidate are trying to determine is if the man in question is ready to lead a church. Is his faith mature and does he understand authority? The candidate is given time to speak for himself. Some of the pastors may give witness to his ability and character. At this inquiry meeting the candidate will be voted on. When the candidate has been approved another meeting time is set.
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In the context of a worship service the candidate is ordained by the laying on of hands. Laying on of hands is a symbolic gesture that shows a person is set aside or committed to the service of God. Typically there is an introduction of the candidate before the he speaks about his call. There is a time of prayer when pastors and deacons come and lay hands on the candidate and pray for him. Then a sermon is preached and in closing the congregation is asked to support the candidate and respect his authority.
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Tips & Warnings
Because the Bible says concerning ordination, “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.” 2 Tim 5:22 the ordination process should not be rushed.
