Ordination
What is ordination?
The process of preparation in which you engage first as a local minister and then as a district licensed minister, is a journey of candidacy for ordination. Ordination is the authenticating, authorizing act of the church that recognizes and confirms God’s call on the lives of women and
men to ministerial leadership as stewards and proclaimers of both the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ.
men to ministerial leadership as stewards and proclaimers of both the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ.
Ordination is an authenticating act
It is important to realize that God calls but the church ordains. The church does not claim the right to call people to the ministry. That is the work of God the Holy Spirit. The church is responsible to discern the call of God on a person’s life considering both personal testimony to that call and evidence of gifts and graces for ministry. Thus, ordination lies at the end of an authenticating process of one’s call.
This process may be challenging at times. However, the church is humbly confident that the discernment exercised during candidacy is crucial to the well-being both of the church and of the candidate.
This process may be challenging at times. However, the church is humbly confident that the discernment exercised during candidacy is crucial to the well-being both of the church and of the candidate.
Ordination is an authorizing act
By means of ordination the church officially approves and authorizes you as one who is worthy of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy. The ordination service itself bears witness to the Church universal and to the world at large that you are truly a man or woman of God; that you have received the grace of God and the gifts necessary for public ministry; that you have a thirst for knowledge, especially knowledge of the Word of God; and that you can communicate the gospel in a way that is clear and doctrinally sound. To be able to make such claims about you, the church must question, probe, and observe you over time – and test you “as by fire,” to use a biblical phrase. The biblical assumption of trial by fire is that you will come through the test with proven character and purity.
Ordination is a confirming act
Ordination is also a confirming act of the church. In the time leading up to ordination, the church is at work evaluating you and your potential for ministry. Local church boards consider whether your involvement and testimony make it reasonable for them to issue you a Local Minister’s License. That same board will consider making recommendation for district licensing. The local church and the District Board will observe you closely to determine if your district license should be renewed each year. When all requirements for ordination have been met, the District Board may recommend you to the district assembly for ordination as an elder or as a deacon. The entire district assembly Guide to Ministerial Preparation and Ordination will vote whether or not to present your name to the presiding general superintendent. He or she, as representative of the Church of the Nazarene globally, will make the final determination whether you should be ordained. Ordination is truly an act of the entire church.
Ordination is a spiritual and theological act
Ordination is also a spiritual and theological act of the church. It is more than receiving certification to minister. It is more than passing qualifying exams of your profession. It is the church’s acknowledgment of the amazing reality that God calls and gifts certain men and women for ministerial leadership in the church. While the church affirms the scriptural tenet of the universal priesthood and ministry of all believers, the act of ordination is the acknowledgment of God’s call on certain men and women to leadership in ministry.
Jesus taught that “the greatest among you must become the servant of everyone.” Ordination, then, does not convey special status or privilege; rather it recognizes and confirms God’s calling upon ministerial leaders to live as servants of the gospel. Because Scripture teaches that in Christ there is neither slave nor free, Jew nor Greek, male nor female, but all are one in Christ, the Church of the Nazarene ordains persons regardless of their economic status, nationality, race, or gender. Your ordination class may well consist of candidates from several races, born in a variety of countries, representing a whole range of economic backgrounds, including both women and men. What all of these persons hold in common is the testimony of a call from God and the church’s recognition in each of them of the gifts and graces for ministerial leadership.
Because the candidacy portion of the journey is demanding and requires tremendous investment of your energy and resources, the church tries to determine as early as possible if there are any impediments that might preclude your successful completion of candidacy. For this reason, the church inquires carefully into any criminal activity, sexual misconduct, divorce, indebtedness, or other matters of significance in your life history. Though this may feel awkward or painful at times, it is better to determine early in the process the impact of these issues on your potential for ordination and fruitfulness in ministry in the Church of the Nazarene rather than wait until late into
the process of your candidacy.
Jesus taught that “the greatest among you must become the servant of everyone.” Ordination, then, does not convey special status or privilege; rather it recognizes and confirms God’s calling upon ministerial leaders to live as servants of the gospel. Because Scripture teaches that in Christ there is neither slave nor free, Jew nor Greek, male nor female, but all are one in Christ, the Church of the Nazarene ordains persons regardless of their economic status, nationality, race, or gender. Your ordination class may well consist of candidates from several races, born in a variety of countries, representing a whole range of economic backgrounds, including both women and men. What all of these persons hold in common is the testimony of a call from God and the church’s recognition in each of them of the gifts and graces for ministerial leadership.
Because the candidacy portion of the journey is demanding and requires tremendous investment of your energy and resources, the church tries to determine as early as possible if there are any impediments that might preclude your successful completion of candidacy. For this reason, the church inquires carefully into any criminal activity, sexual misconduct, divorce, indebtedness, or other matters of significance in your life history. Though this may feel awkward or painful at times, it is better to determine early in the process the impact of these issues on your potential for ordination and fruitfulness in ministry in the Church of the Nazarene rather than wait until late into
the process of your candidacy.
“Ordination bears witness to the Church universal and the world at large that this
candidate reveals a life of holiness, possesses gifts and graces for public ministry,
demonstrates a thirst for knowledge, especially for the Word of God, and displays
capacity to communicate sound doctrine.” Manual ¶502
candidate reveals a life of holiness, possesses gifts and graces for public ministry,
demonstrates a thirst for knowledge, especially for the Word of God, and displays
capacity to communicate sound doctrine.” Manual ¶502
Ordination is a privilege, not a right
The Church of the Nazarene requires that you complete specific educational preparation and gain a certain level of ministry experience in order to be considered for ordination. In addition, you must currently be district licensed and must also have held a district license for at least three consecutive years (Manual 526.3). However, completion of the minimum educational, credentialing, and experience requirements does not automatically qualify you for ordination. Ordination is for a lifetime, and both you and the church as represented by the District Board of Ministry must be confident in your fitness for ordination, spiritually, theologically, personally, and professionally. Based on their observations and on reports from your congregation, pastor, and district superintendent, the District Board determines your readiness for the next step in the process: the ordination interview.
The ordination interview
When the Board believes you are ready to be interviewed regarding ordination, they will invite you to such an interview. If invited, you will also be asked to complete the “Ordination/Recognition Questionnaire” in advance of the interview. Many of these questions will be familiar to you since they also appear on the “Application for a District Minister’s License” form. Normally, the interview is held well in advance of the district assembly.
The ordination interview itself is similar to the interviews you have experienced in the process of gaining and renewing a District Minister’s License, except this interview is more comprehensive. The District Board must be very confident you are fully qualified and ready to be ordained before they can proceed. If you are married, it will be very important for your spouse to attend this interview. His or her own journey of walking alongside you and engaging meaningfully in the life of the local church is of significant interest to the Board. Note: If, to the best of your knowledge, you have completed all of the requirements but are not invited to interview for ordination, you should follow the usual process for the renewal of your district license, assuming you have received the recommendation of your church board.
During the interview, it is hoped you will be able to perceive the love and concern of your District Board for both you and the church. They carry a heavy responsibility in the decision they will soon make. After the interview you will be dismissed and the District Board will decide whether or not to recommend you to the district assembly and to the general superintendent. Normally, you will be notified of their decision on the same day as your interview.
The ordination interview itself is similar to the interviews you have experienced in the process of gaining and renewing a District Minister’s License, except this interview is more comprehensive. The District Board must be very confident you are fully qualified and ready to be ordained before they can proceed. If you are married, it will be very important for your spouse to attend this interview. His or her own journey of walking alongside you and engaging meaningfully in the life of the local church is of significant interest to the Board. Note: If, to the best of your knowledge, you have completed all of the requirements but are not invited to interview for ordination, you should follow the usual process for the renewal of your district license, assuming you have received the recommendation of your church board.
During the interview, it is hoped you will be able to perceive the love and concern of your District Board for both you and the church. They carry a heavy responsibility in the decision they will soon make. After the interview you will be dismissed and the District Board will decide whether or not to recommend you to the district assembly and to the general superintendent. Normally, you will be notified of their decision on the same day as your interview.
Affirming, yet challenging
It is hoped this interview process will communicate support and affirmation to you, even though it feels challenging and evaluative. District boards are charged with the responsibility of making sure the church’s ministers are called, well-prepared, and spiritually ready to minister to the people of God and to those who do not yet know Christ. Since this task has such serious, eternal implications, don’t be surprised if the process sometimes seems too intense, too long, too cautious, or too personal. If you have questions about the interview process, before or after the interview, you should talk with your pastor and/or district superintendent. He or she can help you develop perspective on the process.
Should the board, following the interview, decide not to recommend you for ordination at this time, their reasons will normally be communicated to you. Feel free to also ask your pastor, mentor, and/or district superintendent about the board’s decision. Once again, this can be an opportunity for growth.
Should the board, following the interview, decide not to recommend you for ordination at this time, their reasons will normally be communicated to you. Feel free to also ask your pastor, mentor, and/or district superintendent about the board’s decision. Once again, this can be an opportunity for growth.
In 1 Timothy 5:22 we find this caution to the Church: “Do not ordain anyone hastily”
(NRSV). Therefore, the process leading toward ordination is unapologetically
thorough and deliberative.
(NRSV). Therefore, the process leading toward ordination is unapologetically
thorough and deliberative.
Recognition of Ordination
If you are currently an ordained minister in another denomination or have been ordained by an independent congregation and wish to serve as an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, you may ask that your existing ordination be recognized. This request may be considered if you have met all requirements for ordination in the Church of the Nazarene as outlined in Manual paragraph527. You must demonstrate competency in your understanding of (1) the Nazarene Manual, (2) the history of the Church of the Nazarene, and (3) Wesleyan-holiness theology. If you are invited to interview for recognition of your ordination, you will be examined by the District Board as to your conduct, personal experience spiritually as well as in ministry, and soundness of doctrine. You will be required to complete the “Ordination/Recognition Questionnaire” in advance of the interview.
If recognition of your existing ordination is approved by the district assembly and the presiding general superintendent, you will participate in the ordination service alongside any others who are being ordained. However, since the Church of the Nazarene understands itself to be “a branch of the ‘one, holy, universal, and apostolic’ church” (Manual, p. 16) and therefore understands ordination by a Christian community to be ordination for a lifetime, you will not be “re-ordained” to the Christian ministry. Nevertheless, the Church of the Nazarene’s recognition of your existing ordination will be acknowledged and affirmed in a meaningful way during the service of ordination. In addition to this, you will also be provided a certificate of ordination from the Church of the Nazarene.
If recognition of your existing ordination is approved by the district assembly and the presiding general superintendent, you will participate in the ordination service alongside any others who are being ordained. However, since the Church of the Nazarene understands itself to be “a branch of the ‘one, holy, universal, and apostolic’ church” (Manual, p. 16) and therefore understands ordination by a Christian community to be ordination for a lifetime, you will not be “re-ordained” to the Christian ministry. Nevertheless, the Church of the Nazarene’s recognition of your existing ordination will be acknowledged and affirmed in a meaningful way during the service of ordination. In addition to this, you will also be provided a certificate of ordination from the Church of the Nazarene.
The District Assembly
If the District Board recommends you for ordination, the recommendation will be reported to the district assembly. Once the district assembly votes to adopt the recommendation of the District Board to ordain you, the final decision belongs to the general superintendent presiding over that assembly. Most often, the general superintendent will meet with you and any other ordinands for a short time prior to the ordination service held during the district assembly. Unless there are unusual circumstances or concerns, the general superintendent will usually join with the District Board and district assembly in affirming your readiness for ordination. The time of the ordination service will be announced well in advance of the district assembly.