Many people are interested in getting ordained, but what does ordination mean spiritually? What is ordination’s purpose and how does it affect the way a person interacts with God and the world?
When people become pastors or other ministerial leaders, they go through the ordination process. Many people view ordination as the church vetting a pastor. Much like how lawyers have to pass the bar exam or doctors go through residency, ministers have to prove that they are qualified, competent and trustworthy in their field.
In most denominations, ministers must have a history of baptism and membership in their church’s denomination, receive higher education, pass psychological and theological exams, and gain practical hours of experience. However, ordination is much more than just becoming qualified for ministry.
Although each denomination has a set process for becoming qualified for ordination as well as spiritual practices and rituals surrounding the ordination ceremony, ordination is not enacted by people. No one can ordain someone of their own power, or even with the power of the church.
God, and God alone, ordains people.
You may have read the call stories in the Bible of biblical heroes. Abraham was called to go to the land God would show him, Mary was called to bear the child of God and Paul was called to carry Jesus’ name to the Gentiles. These are all examples of God ordaining people into a life of service.
God ordains people to service the moment that God speaks a call over their lives.
However, sometimes people try to become ministers for other reasons. That’s why most denominations require religious education, interviews and an ordination ceremony. They spend several years testing and vetting people to ensure God has actually called them. Additionally, denominations require higher education to provide candidates for ministry with the training and tools their role will require.
Participation in the ordination ceremony is proof that the church is convinced an individual is called by God to ministry, and now has all the skills and knowledge necessary to lead. The ceremony is a way of honoring what God has already done and formalizes a new minister’s leadership role in the church.
Not only that, but during the ordination ceremony, the candidate for ministry fully receives the Holy Spirit for leadership in the church. Although many denominations believe people receive the Holy Spirit at other times in their spiritual journey, such as when they become Christians, are baptized or are given spiritual gifts, the Spirit’s work during ordination is different.
During the ordination ceremony, the Spirit inspires and empowers a minister to do the work of Christ as a full-time leader in the church. This requires more guidance from God, since leaders are the ones who lead the church toward God. A special relationship with God is required for the role.
Receiving the Spirit in ordination is a lot like receiving the Spirit in baptism. It ushers in a new era of closeness to God, empowers the recipient to be more Christlike and brings with it the challenge of representing Christ more fully in the world.
The difference between ordination and baptism is that ordination ushers in a high level of Christian leadership. All the gifts and challenges of becoming a new Christ-follower intensify with the new responsibility of leading God’s people. The Spirit, therefore, must inspire and empower ordained clergy in a new way.
The Hebrew word קָדוֹשׁ, kadosh, describes the role of ordained clergy well. Kadosh means to be “holy” or “set apart” for God. Kadosh comes with the connotation of being “heavy” or “weighty.” When God is in the room, a holy and weighty presence enters the space.
Ordained clergy receive both the holiness and weightiness of being near to God when they are ordained. The good news is that when they participate in the ordination ceremony, the Holy Spirit inspires and empowers them to do the holy and weighty work of God. This work brings with it both privileges and responsibilities.
Privileges of the Ordained:
Responsibilities of the Ordained:
Remember, only God calls people to ordination. The only reason to seek ordination is if you perceive a call to ministry. Obedience to God’s call on your life is paramount.
If you are considering ordination, search yourself honestly for any self-centered ambitions or savior complexes that may be residing within you. Set those aside, and see if God’s call still remains.
If you want to be an effective minister, practice. Pattern your life after Christ’s. Jesus was a servant leader, compassionate to society’s outcasts, close to God and people and had a clear purpose in mind.
Denominational leaders will be pleased to conduct an ordination ceremony on someone who:
Many denominations will bar people from vocational ministry if they are unfit for ministerial leadership or do not meet the denomination’s theological understanding of ministerial traits.
Most denominations will bar you from leadership if you:
Keep in mind that not all of these are permanent scars on your record. Talk to your pastor or a denominational leader if you have concerns about your qualifications.
Everyone is called to something, but not everyone is called to full-time, ordained ministry. It’s important to know that you can be a leader in your denomination without necessarily being ordained. Consider the three following roles as possible alternatives to ordained ministry.
Consider becoming a local-licensed pastor if you are looking to become a pastor, but are interested in part-time ministry or do not wish to complete as much education. These are people who act as a pastor in their local community but are not denominationally ordained and may not serve full-time hours. Local-licensed pastors serve in small communities that need someone to perform administrative tasks, preach and offer sacraments but may not need weekly programming.
For those who sense a call to church leadership, but are not called to leave their secular vocation, consider lay leadership positions. The word “lay” refers to anyone who is not an ordained minister. Roles as a lay leader may include chair positions on church committees, leading classes at church or volunteering at the denominational level.
In some traditions, the role of deacon is a lay title, and in others, it’s a ministerial order. If deacon is not an ordained position in your denomination, it generally refers to someone who is highly involved in the compassionate ministries of the church and in roles that directly support the pastor. Consider becoming a lay deacon if you’re drawn to compassion and fellowship with marginalized people groups.
The purpose of ordination ceremonies is threefold.
Because of the diversity within the universal Church, ordination ceremonies utilize different cultural and religious symbolism across different traditions. The United Methodist Church is no exception.
UMC.org notes that United Methodists reaffirm their baptismal vows at ordination and commit to new vows that align with their ministerial order of elder or deacon. After this, The Bishop lays hands on the minister and prays that God will pour the Holy Spirit upon them for the office and work of their order in the church. Ordination, like baptism, is something the Holy Spirit does. So, it’s not the Bishop or even the ordinand who holds the power to fulfill their vows, it’s God.
In addition to vows, the clothing worn to an ordination is highly symbolic. The ordinand wears an alb. This special robe, tied with a cord at the waist, is traditionally worn at baptisms. Wearing an alb at ordination reinforces the affirmation of baptismal vows and the covenantal nature of the ceremony.
After receiving the Holy Spirit in prayer, the newly ordained clergy member is given a stole that matches their order. Deacons receive a stole that sits like a sash across their body, which represents the towel that Jesus used when he washed the disciples’ feet. Elders receive a stole that hangs from their neck on either side and represents the yoke of Christ.
Once the ordination ceremony has taken place, as a newly ordained person, you’ll have the full credentials of every other clergyperson. You’ll be given the new title reverend (Rev.), be permitted to wear a stole at worship services and you can bless the sacraments.
At their local church, you’ll become the primary spiritual leader and interpreter of God’s Word. You’ll attend to the administrative needs of the church, and lead the causes of mercy and justice. You’ll be closer to God than ever before, and have the weighty responsibility and privilege of maintaining this close relationship for your own sake and the sake of your congregation.
In the community, clergy are the clearest, most visible sign of God’s presence in the world. As such you’re called to be present with people in their most vulnerable circumstances. Through pastoral care, you’ll communicate a sense of hope and peace in people’s darkest moments.
First, God must call you to ordination. It isn’t a career anyone should simply choose. Discern if God is calling you to ordained ministry with the help of spiritual mentors. If you do sense a call to ordination, there are two main steps to take: education and denominational certification. These steps happen in tandem with one another.
The gold standard in education for most denominations is a Master of Divinity. Although this degree is not required for ordination in all denominations, it is considered standard in many of them, and provides the training clergy need for the practical application of their ministerial position. Additionally, this degree is generally required for clergy who work outside the church in chaplaincy roles. You can receive a Master of Divinity at seminaries like Perkins School of Theology.
Check with your denominational body to ensure the school you apply to meets all the educational requirements of your denomination. Some denominational bodies require denomination-specific classes. For example, the United Methodist Church requires courses in United Methodist history, polity and doctrine before you can be ordained.
In the United Methodist Church, those pursuing the order of deacon have fewer educational requirements than those pursuing the role of elder. For this reason, deacon candidates may seek either a Master of Divinity or a Master of Arts in Ministry. This degree allows them to specialize in their area of interest.
In some denominations, the pathway to ordination is as simple as having previously been baptized and a congregational vote in favor of your ordination. However, most denominational requirements are more rigorous.
The first step is to tell your pastor, priest or a denominational leader that you sense a call to ministry. Ask them specifically for information on the steps to ordination and resources that will guide you. From there, you’ll likely be asked to submit a written version of your call story. Most denominations then require you to attend an introductory class or meeting that outlines the ordination process.
The next step is to pass a background check and psychological evaluation. You’ll then need to begin your theological education to move forward with the process, because the next steps are a series of interviews and oral and written exams. These are conducted to ensure that your theology is in line with your denomination’s doctrine. The best place to learn about theology and doctrine is at seminary.
Once you’ve passed these tests and completed practical experience hours in your ministerial setting (in the UMC this is a minimum of two years of full-time ministry), you’re ready for the ordination ceremony.
At Perkins, you can prepare for ministry, pursue academic excellence or explore vocational fulfillment in a nurturing environment. To get started, reach out to an admissions counselor, take a campus tour or even submit an application. We’re here to support your journey — every step of the way.