3 Things You Should Know About Ordination

Ordination is usually the main designation that comes to mind when people think of clergy credentials. However, most churches, denominations and ministerial fellowships also have the designations of Commissioned or Licensed. These titles give clear identification that the minister is a member of the clergy. The commissioned minister is generally the entry level while ordination is normally reserved for pastors and other seasoned clergy members.

There are three critical things that any minister should consider when looking for Ordination or clergy credentials. 

Validity

Many years ago, I had an experience with a boss that I will never forget. Like many ministers, I was bi-vocational. In the business world, I was the Alaska regional manager for a company that was based in the lower 48. Several times a year the company would send my immediate boss to check on the Alaska operation. In one of our first dinners together he told me that he was also an ordained minister.

The shocking part came when he explained that he was not a religious man, but his friend wanted him to officiate his wedding ceremony, so he found a way to be ordained. He received his ordination by going online and filling out the form and paying the required fee. In a matter of days, he had his ordination certificate and could then perform the marriage ceremony.

When considering a credentialing organization, it is important to evaluate the validity of what they are offering. Is the ordination worth more than the paper it is printed on? Is the ministerial fellowship or denomination reputable? What do they stand for? Are they going to stand behind you?

Filling out an online form and paying a fee does not qualify a person for the responsibilities that come with ordination. There should be an evaluation process, training and a solid relationship between the minister and the credentialing body. If a clergy credentialing process is missing these aspects the ordination may not be valid. Don’t wait until there is a problem to consider the validity of your ordination.

Valid ordination or commissioning is vitally important for minister’s who provide services such as pastoral counseling or officiate weddings. Ordinations can be deemed invalid if there is no training, regular reporting, renewal and accountability processes in place.

If you’re considering an online ordination process take the time to find out about their training process, core beliefs, support systems and how available they are if you have questions or need help.

Accountability

Clergy credentials should not only be valid, but there should be ongoing accountability. Without an accountability process, how does the ministerial fellowship or denomination know what is happening out in the field?

The idea that a minister is ordained and not accountable to the ordaining body is no longer accepted in the culture or most of the church. A minister’s credentials should require some type of renewal and a regular reporting process.

Accountability should go beyond the negative implication of preventing problems. Pastoral counselors, pastors, and other ministers need accountability for their protection as much as to prevent problems. Churches and non-profits also need the accountability process to help them identify training needs, areas of vulnerability and for their protection.

Activities such as regular reporting, renewal processes, and training are all part of a good accountability system. There should also be good relationships developed in the process. The relational aspect brings in encouragement, prayer, and advice that is so needed in ministry.

Support

There are a lot of online ordination scams. They have nice looking certificates, but there is no ongoing support available. We receive calls from people who have gone through some of these scam organizations. We hear complaints about the lack of support and in some situations, there is no contact information available. Be careful of these scams!

Grab Your Ordination Guide Today!

Ministers have a variety of needs. It could be a letter of good standing or reference letter that a minister needs for a new position or to officiate a wedding. It could be instructions on performing your first wedding or funeral. There are times when a minister needs advice in a pastoral counseling situation.

Ordination doesn’t mean there are no personal challenges, but many ministers don’t have an adequate support system. The credentialing body should be available for prayer in a difficult ministry situation or personal need. Can you call your credentialing organization just to ask for prayer? This seems like a simple thing until you are in the middle of something and feel like you have nowhere to turn for support.

A good support system should also include ongoing training on a variety of subjects. The number of cultural changes that ministers deal with is staggering. It is important to learn how to officiate weddings and funerals. It is also important to learn pastoral counseling techniques and how to deal with people in crisis.

The ordination process should be the beginning of the relationship.

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