Ordination Local or National

[TheScottsMen]

Who actually grants ordination in the PCA/PCUSA/EPC/ etc.? Is ministerial ordination (elder) granted by the local church or by the national organization? If it is granted by the local church (or local presbytery), what is the function of the main presbytery?

Thanks!

 

[TheScottsMen]

No matter.. I found the answer in their bylaws.

 

[hedrick]

No matter.. I found the answer in their bylaws.

You've found by now that ruling elders are ordained by the Session and minsters by the Presbytery.

However you need to be careful about the implication. This does not mean that ordination is local. Ordination is on behalf of the entire Church, by which I mean the Body of Christ, not our denomination. Any PCUSA church will recognize it and will not reordain someone. When a member moves, the letter of transfer notes any ordinations. In principle we also respect ordinations by other Reformed denominations, and I believe ordinations of pastors by a few non-Reformed denominations (since in general they don't have exact equivalents of our ruling elders and our deacons), though I'm not sure how many actually recognize each other's ordinations. More conservative churches typically have strict enough doctrinal standards that they don't recognize many other ordinations.

 

[kenrapoza]

It wouldn't be so much that we don't recognize their ordination per se, but that we would require an examination of their doctrine upon transferring their ministerial credentials.

 

[hedrick]

It wouldn't be so much that we don't recognize their ordination per se, but that we would require an examination of their doctrine upon transferring their ministerial credentials.

I'm glad to hear that. PCUSA presbyteries also have to approve ministers asking to transfer to them. The situation with ruling elders is more complex. The local church maintains a roll of elders. When someone who is ordained as an elder joins, they automatically become one of our elders. Of course they wouldn't be put on Session unless the church chooses to do so, and any other exercise of their office would also be at the option of the church. But in principle anyone who is ordained is an officer.