Qualifications to Become an Ordained Minister
Every Christian church requires hopeful ministers to meet varying degrees of ordination qualifications. Some candidates meet strict requirements, such as those imposed by the Roman Catholic Church. On the other end of the ordination spectrum, online churches issue ordination certificates, which demand no more effort than submitting an online form. Some Christian churches claim their ordination qualifications date to the Christian gospels and the teachings of Christian Scripture disciples and teachers. Ordination is a process by which a church grants ministers the privileges and responsibilities of leading a congregation or performing Christian rites, such as marriage and baptism.
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Early Christian Church Ministers
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New Testament writers describe the earliest Christian ministers. The Christian gospels describe the earliest ministers gathered by Jesus to perform the good works he defined. Called disciples and apostles, followers of Jesus, such as Peter and James, taught, preached and healed people to whom they offered the teachings of their teacher, Jesus Christ. Jesus conferred the title "apostle" upon a small group who comprised "the Twelve," with whom most Christians are familiar.
After the death and resurrection of Christ, some committed followers became itinerant preachers and leaders of small churches as the new religion grew and spread. These presbyters, prophets, deacons and teachers took upon themselves the responsibility of caring for the people whom they taught and healed. St. Paul, Peter and others participated in the development of rules for people who felt called to serve. The most important qualification for early teachers and ministers was the recognition and acceptance that every member was part of a single body of Christ, offering gifts and serving with humility, generosity and charity.
Consolation Baptist Association
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The Consolation Baptist Association publishes an ordination guide, which none of the member churches are bound to follow. An intended pastor must testify his readiness to serve as a minister. A Consolation Baptist minister must mentor a candidate in the church's missions, theology and church ministry. Presbyters must approve an ordination before it can occur. Ordination candidates must devote themselves to prayer and reflection, gauging the sincerity of their calls to vocation. In a meeting with the presbyter, attendees pray and read from I Timothy 3:1-7, which describes the minister's solemn duties. Each candidate shares about his salvation and his call to ministry. He answers theological questions specific to the Consolation Baptist Association, such as the candidate's belief in the doctrine of Eternal Security. If attendees at the presbyter meeting vote for the candidate's ordination, the presbyter schedules an ordination service.
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New Testament Churches Qualifications
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New Testament Churches believe they follow Jesus and the Bible as described in the New Testament. (The Resources section includes a link to information about New Testament Churches' base ordination requirements on New Testament passages 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.) New Testament Churches refer to their ministers as elders. Only men serve as New Testament Churches ordination elders. Elders must be married and have children who can consciously choose Christianity. Elders must prove they have form control over their children and must know the Bible well enough to argue against false doctrine. Some but not all elders are ministers. Elders who distinguish themselves preaching and teaching serve as ministers. On the other hand, some New Testament Church preachers are not elders.
Online Ordinations
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Someone can become an ordained minister online. Some Christian churches have an online presence through which they offer free ordination certificates. The Universal Life Church (ULC) offers ordination to any person who commits to ULC principles, such as belief that "we are all Children of the same Universe" and that all people should be ordained ministers of ULC. The ULC places no restrictions on its ministers and affords them all of the rights and privileges of other Christian ministers, including the power to perform legal marriages, to conduct funerals and to minister to the sick. An interested candidate submits an online form through the ULC website. The church processes the request and mails a legal certificate of ordination.
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References
- Catholic Resources for Bible, Liturgy, Art and Theology: Ministry and Leadership in Early Christianity
- Consolation Baptist Association: Pastoral Ordination
- New Testament Church: The Eldership
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: "New American Bible"--I Timothy Chapter 3
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: "New American Bible"--Titus Chapter 1
- Universal Life Church Monastery: Our Ongoing Mission--The Road to Jericho
Resources
- Photo Credit church. Entrance of a church image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com bible image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com internet - eingabefeld internet http://www image by pmphoto from Fotolia.com
